For many of Charles Dicken’s timeless tale about a miserly businessman who is visited by three ghosts is a holiday reminder for us to seek our own humanity. Portland Playhouse has been bringing this classic play back a non-traditional thoroughly multiracial and often cross gender adaptation directed by Charles Grant for the last three years which feels timely and relevant to today. The play by Rick Lombardo and Anna Lackaff melds musical celebration and dance with prophetic storytelling.

Dmae Lo Roberts met with director Charles Grant and actor La’Tevin Alexander who portrays Scrooge to have a lively talk about the adaption and their history with the theater. “A Christmas Carol” runs through December 31st at Portland Playhouse.(This interview also features a cameo “appearance” by Alexander’s two-year old daughter.)

Dmae with La’Tevin Alexander and Charles Grant

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In this podcast you’ll hear about…

La’Tevin Alexandra’s connection to “A Christmas Carol”: “My life now as a father is bigger than me. Every decision I make now doesn’t just affect me, doesn’t just affect my mom and my brother. It affects these two people that I helped bring into the world and if I forgo that, if I forsake that, that then is a consequence onto me spiritually and morally and mentally. So yes, this, this is about things that are bigger than ourselves. And being a father, I definitely feel that.”

Charles Grant finding the humanity in Scrooge: “ Who is this person and what if he was closer to who we are and how did he get here? And what has he given up  and his capacity for change? That’s something that I’ve also been thinking about at this moment that no matter how far gone we are, no matter what is going on in the world around us or in our lives with our own traumas or histories or triggers, there’s always the possibility for change and the ripple effect of community.”

Charles Grant  on the value of Portland Playhouse’s Apprenticeship Program which now a paid : “I was trying to figure out my next steps after graduation. And for me, there were so many benefits to doing this program, the networking and connection. I was like, I’m gonna do this 10 month apprenticeship and then I’m going to New York Peace out. But there was, and is such an amazing community here, and I think it’s a testament that La’Tevin and I were different years and we’ve been able to continue to work together, collaborate, although this is our first official show with me as director and La’Tevin as actor, but we’ve shared so many spaces together as artists and particularly as black artists.”

La’Tevin Alexandra’s opportunities and community with the program: “ And for some people back in the day to say that it’s more expensive (to train artists), it might be more expensive upfront, but if you then look five years down the line, you go, oh wow. We have created an entire army of actors and designers and artisans that are really Broadway level, that are ready for whatever the big leagues.”

La’Tevin Alexnder in Portland Playhouse’s 2022 production of “A Christmas Carol.” Photo by Shawnte Sims.

A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens
Adaptation and Original Lyrics by Rick Lombardo, Original Music by Anna Lackaff and Rick Lombardo, Music Arrangements by Anna Lackaff
Directed by Charles Grant, Music Directed by DeReau K. Farrar


Adaptation and Original Lyrics by Rick Lombardo, Original Music by Anna Lackaff and Rick Lombardo, Music Arrangements by Anna Lackaff Directed by Charles Grant, Music Directed by DeReau K. Farrar
November 25-December 31, 2025
TICKETS
Regular: $59.95 – $69.95
BIPOC Performances: Pay what you wish, starting at $5
Pay What You Wish Wednesday: Starting at $5 (the first Wednesday after opening for each production)
CARE* Tickets: $25
*CARE = Community Access Reaching Everyone
Previews (First three performances): $30 Rush (All Performances) : $20
Industry Rush (All Performances) : $10 Arts for All (All Performances) : $5

All shows at Portland Playhouse, 602 NE Prescott Street,
Portland, OR 97211. More info: https://portlandplayhouse.org/