Bah Humbug!
2008 - 30 shows in 30 days! Adapted from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, this one-man show grows and grows each year!
About the Show:
Now in its 6th year. It is Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol with an amazing twist — one actor plays all the roles in this powerful tale of hope & compassion! Award-winning stage actor Damian Gillen transforms before your eyes into all those beloved characters...from Scrooge to tiny Tim, in this magical and imaginative re-telling of the holiday classic! Complete with numerous costume changes, special effects and traditional Celtic Christmas tunes! A record-breaking 30 shows in 30 days. Great fun for the whole family!
- For more info, go to our: MEDIA PAGE
WATCH THESE VIDEOS FROM GREAT DAY SA TV SHOW:
Hear our Bah Humbug Radio Ad: HERE!
Read the Theater Review from the San Antonio Express News:
Solo 'Christmas Carol' retains its heart
For the past few years, actor/director Damian Gillen has spent this time of the year on the road, performing his one-man version of "A Christmas Carol" all over the state.
For the fifth anniversary of the show — titled "Bah, Humbug!" — he set a goal of 30 shows in 30 days, which, if all goes well, he'll achieve at the Saturday finale at the Arneson River Theatre. (The rest of this week is being filled with performances at private parties and fundraisers.)
This year's performances included a few spins at Ruben's Bakery and Café, home base for The Company, the theater troupe for which Gillen serves as managing artistic director.
The café's intimate performance space served the show well and allowed Gillen to interact a bit with the audience.
Gillen manages to squeeze Charles Dickens' familiar story of Ebenezer Scrooge's overnight change from a mean-spirited miser into an openhearted soul into a brisk 60 minutes. His adaptation hits all of the big turns in the tale — Scrooge's reputation as a crank, the visitation by the three ghosts, the soul-crushing poverty of the Cratchits, the sweetness of Tiny Tim, and Scrooge's transformation just in time for Christmas.
Gillen moves effortlessly between all the parts, including the narrator. He sometimes switches out accessories (a festive green hat for Scrooge's nephew Fred, chains for Marley's ghost, a floppy bonnet for Mrs. Cratchit) to help make the changes clearer. He also makes good use of lights and some sound effects.
For all the speediness of the storytelling, he never neglects the emotional heart of the story, making the show a holiday treat.
Posted: 12/17/2007 05:40 PM CST
Reviews & Testimonials 2007:
"I love you more than Santa!"
--Alyssa, Age 4
"Amazing! I absolutely loved how much he got into the characters and the rapid changes. Keep up the great work! We drive 7 hours every year to see this and is is quite worth it!"
--Rob D. Hobbs New Mexico
"Christmas would not be Christmas without Bah Humbug!"
--Bo F. San Antonio, TX
"I've done 3 productions of Scrooge in my life, playing everyone from Peter, Scrooge and Bob (Crachit) and this is by far the BEST production I have ever seen bar none! Thank you for opening the hearts and making us feel like children again!"
--David O. San Antonio, TX
"That show was INCREDIBLE. It really got us in the Christmas spirit, We laughed and we cried."
--Jackie H. Austin, TX
"Just wonderful - Got everyone in the Christmas spirit!"
--Gerry R. Marion, TX
"A one-man adventure!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
--Michael M. Plano, TX
"Awesome show! Great acting!"
--Sarah V. Boerne, TX
"Dynamic, moving, masterful. A true professional & inspiration to all. THANKS."
--Mr & Mrs Gary H. Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
"I have never seen a one-person show so well acted!"
--Betsy D Boerne, TX
"What a wonderful wonderful treat! A real treasure."
--Richard Z. San Antonio, TX
"Loved it!"
--Lisa H Ft. Worth, TX
"It was wonderful, funny, eyeopener. The best my daughter and I have ever seen."
--Laura C. Boerne, TX
"Really enjoyed your show"
--Scott (age 10) San antonio, TX
"Absolutely delightful and inspiring."
--Heather D. Schertz, TX
Reviews & Testimonials 2003-2005
"BAH HUMBUG! is sure to delight audiences the world over."
--Rave Reviews Magazine
"He is absolutely amazing."
--San Antonio Express News.
"Bah Humbug is an affirmation of charity and redemption and Christianity that the world needs right now!"
--Samara Cahill, University of Notre Dame
"It was great to see the excitement and suspense in the eyes of the Children as they followed every movement. Bah Humbug! was a great production that was thoroughly enjoyed for all our Families."
--Misty Poe , Principal, St Mary School, Austin TX
It was better than...a video game. It was really funny when he dressed up like a woman!
--David, age 7
He did everything himself!
--Mason, age 10
...It was exciting!
--Grayson, age 8
Dad... that was better than a movie
--Said Shea, age 12
"The show was great. I mean it really inspires children and even adults to be giving and just be nice to people; And Damian did an awesome job playing all of those parts and remembering all the lines. If you get to the show, at the end, give him a great round of applause and stick around to meet Scrooge at the end."
(Signed) "A very happy admirer!
-- Paige," (age 9)
P.S. It was great quality time for us as well. You've definitely found your calling! Linda (Paige's' mom)
Fun Show. Damian IS Scrooge, I saw it last year ...GO
--Gary Cannon
...an amazing performance...
--Natalie Figuerido Austin, TX
Powerful stuff...
--Mike Bracken, TX
You were like Ian Mckellen up there!
--Jon Austin, TX
Sound Bites from a few years ago:
Intro
Marley
WHERE WE'VE BEEN IN 2008:
WHERE: Lan-Tex Theater
WHEN: Nov. 22 @7pm
Llano, TX
“I have seen this production on three different occasions and it isan incredible evening of entertainment" said Llano Chamber ExecutiveDirector Tony Griffith.
WHEN: Nov. 28-29
WHERE: Little Italy San Antonio, TX
TIMES: Dinner-7pm , Show-8PM
WHEN: Dec. 5th @ 7:30PM
WHERE: Trinity United Methodist Church Fundraiser San Antonio
WHEN: Dec. 6th @ 3pm
WHERE: Gruene Market Days (2pm) New Braunfels, TX
WHEN: Dec. 6th @ 7pmWHERE: Pioneer Farm Candlelight Christmas Austin, TX
WHEN: Dec. 7th @ 2pm
Stafford Opera House
Columbus, TX
St George Maronite Church
San Antonio, TX
WHEN: Dec. 12-13
WHERE: Dickens Celebration at the Bracken Village
San Antonio
WHEN: Dec. 13th @10am
WHERE: Orderup Restaurant
San Antonio, TX
Dec. 16th WALSH MIDDLE SCHOOL AUSTIN, TX
Dec. 16th PRIVATE PARTY - Austin, TX
Dec: 17th - PRIVATE PARTY - New Braunfels, TX
Dec. 18 -
Dec.19 - Hill Country Middle School
Dec. 20 - Arneson River Theatre - San Antonio, TX
Dec. 21 - Fort Worth Community Arts Center & Private Party
Dec. 22 - Prison Ministry in San Antonio and closing performance at the Dougherty Arts Center - Austin, TX