This holiday season, Mid-Continent Public Library is celebrating Charles Dickens with a special series of programs featuring his classic A Chirstmas Carol. The series includes library favorite David zum Brunnen’s performance of A Night Before… A Christmas Carol, a lecture from Dickens scholar Dr. Elliot Engel, and a return to the area from Gerald Dickens, the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens. The performances run November 29 – December 15. Registration is required for all events.

Night Before Christmas Carol

Branch: Antioch
November 29, 2010 – 10:00am
Branch: Boardwalk
November 29, 2010 – 7:00pm Branch: Midwest Genealogy Center
November 30, 2010 – 10:00am Branch: Colbern Road
November 30, 2010 – 7:00pm
Join Charles Dickens in his study for a very special night. On this evening in 1843, he creates his holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol”. Renowned Dickens scholar, author, playwright and lecturer, Elliot Engel has crafted a work that allows David zum Brunnen to portray the 17 Christmas Carol characters and Charles Dickens himself. Recommended highly by the Dickens family, MCPL is privileged to offer this performance to continue its Dickens’ tradition!

Discovering Dickens with Dr. Elliot Engel

Graceland University Auditorium, 1401 W. Truman Road
December 8, 2010 – 7:00pm
Come hear from one of the most engaging Dickens scholars around delve a bit deeper into the man who wrote “A Christmas Carol”. Dr. Engel has written ten books published in England, Japan, and the United States. His mini-lecture series on Charles Dickens ran on PBS television stations around the country. His articles have appeared in numerous newspapers and national magazines inducing “Newsweek”. He has lectured throughout the United States and on all the continents including Antarctica. Four plays which he has written have been produced during the last ten years. For his thirty years of academic work and service in promoting Charles Dickens, he was nominated and inducted into the Royal Society of Arts in England. Dr. Engel now lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he has taught at the University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, and Duke University. Since 1980, Dr. Engel has been President of the Dickens Fellowship of North Carolina, the largest branch of this worldwide network of clubs. The sales of Dr. Engel’s books, CDs, and DVDs have raised funds for “The Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital” which Dickens helped found in London in 1852.

A Christmas Carol With Gerald Dickens, A Special Engagement

Branch: Raytown
December 15, 2010 – 2:00pm Branch: Blue Springs South
December 15, 2010 – 7:00pm
Returning to MCPL is Gerald Dickens, the great-great grandson of Charles Dickens for a special engagement. A professional actor in England, the energetic Gerald Dickens leaps, laughs, and sobs as he portrays the voices of A Christmas Carol. His striking resemblance to his great-grandfather and his dramatic rendition of A Christmas Carol bring the classic to life.
Refreshments will be served.
These performances are offered in partnership with The Elms Resort in Excelsior Springs. Library performances are free. Gerald is also performing at a special tea or dinner on December 16th. Contact The Elms at (816) 630-5500 for those tickets.

Tags: holiday, event