It is such a pleasure to return to OSF and reunite with the cast and creative team for It’s Christmas, Carol! Last year, through all of the trials and tribulations of the pandemic, we persevered, and while those challenges are not entirely behind us, we are thrilled to create this year’s version, with a number of wonderful new cast members and an ever-evolving (and all the more delightful!) script. It’s Christmas, Carol! epitomizes the sense of communal joy we crave while harnessing the power of theatre through spectacle, song, dance, and the athleticism and virtuosity of performers of the highest caliber working at the top of their abilities to bring it all to life.
On a more personal note, as an Iranian-American director, it is of special meaning to me to direct a holiday show that is for everyone, that democratizes the tradition such that people of all backgrounds can feel seen, heard, and represented. That is my personal mission in the work I create, and it feels particularly paramount during a time of year when I hope we can celebrate and cherish our shared humanity.
—Pirronne Yousefzadeh