'A timeless tale for a reason': New director for the Citadel's A Christmas Carol leans into show's emotional connection

Lianna Makuch, the new director of A Christmas Carol, is seen here on the Citadel Stage. Photo by Shaughn Butts /Postmedia

Source: Edmonton Journal

Author of the Article: Liane Faulder

While it might be the first time that Lianna Makuch has directed A Christmas Carol — kicking off its annual run at The Citadel on Nov. 23 — she is far from a Scrooge newbie.

After all, she was raised on The Muppet Christmas Carol (starring Michael Caine as Scrooge) and has returned to the movie numerous times since, even as an adult.

“Michael Caine takes it so deadly seriously – he’s giving this beautiful performance with the Muppets. It’s emotionally connected,” says Makuch, 35. “That’s what makes that movie so great. And that’s what really works the best when it comes to this story.”

Indeed, the powerful emotional connection forged between the 1843 novella and its audience is what keeps Scrooge fresh through the centuries. Though times change, and technology alters the very landscape, the human yearning for love and redemption is constant.

Makuch has had ample opportunity to reflect on the message posed by A Christmas Carol. She spent the last two years as assistant director to Citadel artistic director Daryl Cloran, who commissioned the 2019 adaptation and directed five subsequent productions. Makuch was responsible for the understudies and the youth company (14 of the 33 cast members are children). The size and complexity of the production (there are a gobsmacking 3,500 costume items) means there is considerable room for error, and the audience must never, ever know.