PEORIA -- The brilliant language and unforgetable characters of Charles Dickens are as alive today as they were in 1843.
Actor Doug Dan proved that during his skillful reading of A Christmas Carol, a Dec. 4 fund raiser for the GAR Hall in Peoria. It was lovely event, riveting, actually, and should become an annual holiday presentation.
Ebenezer Scrooge is -- wouldn't you know it -- a banker! Part of the 1 percent.
He refuses to give to charity and praises jails, work houses and child labor (the predecessor of Newt?). When told people, even children, might die, he cynically responds "decreases the surplus population."
Then he confronts the ghosts of his dreams, who teach him a painful lesson leading to his redemption."The time before him was his own -- to make amends."
Day skillfully played the various characters, in an audiobook-quality performance.
"I love his language," Day afterward said of Dickens. Scrooge is the Lloyd Blankfein of his day. Dickens was the original Dennis Kuchinich, he said.
Day added that Dickens pioneered liberal attitudes, "caring for other people, thinking of others, people helping others. It's very timely."
Dickens' portrait of family life at Christmas, with food, friends, games, family and warmth, is also enduring, Day said.
Imagine that -- no TV blaring in the background, no incessant texting, no earphones isolating those wearing them from everyone else.
Let's hope there's a repeat performance next year.
-- Elaine Hopkins
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