Power to the People with Mrs. Dilber’s Christmas Carol
2 min read
An uproarious new holiday comedy by Arthur Jolly at Loft Ensemble.
What a delight Arthur Jolly’s play Mrs. Dilber’s Christmas Carol, now playing through December 22nd at Loft Ensemble is. Director Michael Houston seamlessly brings the story to life through this talented ensemble which includes Bita Arefnia, Thomas Ashworth, Lara Blanco, Cassandra Carmona, Jennifer DeRosa, Raymond Donehey, Kyle Vonn Elzey, Julieta Gerlein, Carlos Gomez, Jr., Barbera Ann Howard, Robert Jolly, Brieyonna Monét, Sarah Nilsen, Bree Pavey, Rosie Ryden, Matthew Scheel, and Christopher Leon Simms.
Mrs. Dilber’s Christmas Carol is a subversive new version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, but instead of centering on the old rich guy, it features Mrs. Dilber (magically played by Bree Pavey) – the housekeeper who takes the bedclothes from his still-cooling corpse in the original – and her epic attempt to get some bed curtains of her own in spite of a series of ghosts and other diversions on a night adjacent to the more familiar story.
Experience Theatre
I prefer to walk into a show not really knowing what to expect, it allows me to take the ride and zowie, thank you, what an entertaining ride Mrs. Dilber‘s turned out to be! Refreshing and full of hilarious turns that by the final act had the audience howling and cheering! I believe Dickens would give a thumbs up to Jolly’s comedy as it perfectly plugs into the zeitgeist of December 2024 while tickling our revolutionary spirits and lighting up our minds & hearts like holiday twinkle lights.
Greeted with snow flakes at the theatre box office, a healthy choice of holiday themed delicious beverages in the lobby and festive trappings from entry to the stage made the whole experience at Loft Ensemble in North Hollywood both welcoming and fun. Power to the people, right on.
Mrs. Dilber’s Christmas Carol is highly recommended!
Scenic design is by Matthew Scheel, lighting design is by Lemon Baardsen, costume design is by Danielle Ozymandias, sound design is by Tor Brown, properties design is by Natasha Renae Potts, and fight choreography is by Marc Leclerc. Assistant director is Alicia Herder, rehearsal stage manager is Isaac Deakyne, and production stage manager is Macedonia Bullington. Mrs. Dilber’s Christmas Carol is produced for Loft Ensemble by Bree Pavey and Sean Alan Mazur. Graphic and website design is by Amanda Chambers and production photography is by Sean Durrie.
Press Kit Photos by Paul Davis – *Feature image: Julieta Gerlein and Raymond Donahey
General admission is DONATE WHAT YOU WANT. The performance schedule is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday through December 22nd. Showtimes are at 8pm, and Sunday at 7pm. Seats may be reserved online at www.loftensemble.org or by phone at (818) 452-3153. Loft Ensemble is located at 11031 Camarillo Street in the NoHo Arts District.
