Attention, misers

Last night I ushered Arena Stage's Christmas Carol 1941. So yeah, it's based on the preachy yet beloved story of which I've seen more screen versions than any other -- tho I'd never read it or seen it on stage before. Neither, it turns out, did the playwright, James Magruder. This one takes place in Washington, DC, which was a pretty hard place to live in WWII. Here, Elijah Strube is a profiteer with an eye on overcrowded apartments and the pineapple market (Cabaret, anyone?). Oh, and he croaks "Bullcrap" instead of "Bah, humbug."

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This was the last play I'll see at the current Arena Stage. They've already gutted the Kreeger Theater, and the unique Fichandler's time for extreme renovation is soon. My next ushering will be in a new center outside of town some months from now. I hope it's better and not too challenging a commute. In any event, I thought this play a worthy sendoff.