A Christmas Carol

Dear Friends of KCRep,

There is something extraordinary about a story that continues to find us, year after year, and somehow meets us exactly where we are. For 43 years, A Christmas Carol has been part of Kansas City’s holiday tradition, reminding us that generosity, compassion, and the possibility of change are never out of season.

This year, we celebrate a wonderful new chapter in that tradition. I am delighted to welcome Artistic Associate Darrington Clark to the director’s chair for the first time. Darrington brings a fresh perspective, a deep affection for this story, and an extraordinary understanding of the humanity at its heart. And we are thrilled to welcome the remarkable Mark Robbins as our new Ebenezer Scrooge. Mark is a beloved Kansas City actor, and I cannot wait for you to experience the wit, complexity, and humanity he brings to this iconic character.

This season at KCRep, we have been exploring a question that feels increasingly urgent: Who are we to one another? Through stories of unexpected kindness, difficult truths, courage, and human connection, we are reminded that the ways we show up for one another matter. In a world that can often feel divided, uncertain, and overwhelming, Dickens offers us a powerful invitation: to look beyond ourselves, recognize our shared humanity, and choose generosity over indifference.

That is the enduring magic of this play. It entertains us, moves us, makes us laugh, and perhaps sends us back into the world a little more mindful of one another.

Thank you for making KCRep part of your holiday tradition. May this season bring you joy, connection, and a little more light.

Happy Holidays,

— Stuart Carden, Artistic Director