Tommy Jamerson has written a new stage adaptation of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol for Southeastern Louisiana University's Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, with Columbia Theatre Artistic Director Jim Winter directing. The theatre is billing the production as a world premiere. Five performances are scheduled at 220 East Thomas St. in Hammond, running from this Friday through Nov. 21.
The downtown Hammond event listing describes the production as a new version of Dickens's classic. The Advocate reported that the story follows Scrooge as three ghosts lead him through different periods of his life and toward a reconsideration of Christmas.
The production pairs Dickens's familiar story with a script written for the Columbia Theatre by Jamerson. Rather than rely on the event listing's promotional claims about the scale of the show, the central draw is the new adaptation and its staging by the local theatre.
Showtimes and Ticket Prices
Performances begin at 7 p.m. this Friday, Nov. 13, and again on Nov. 20, with 2 p.m. matinees set for Nov. 14, Nov. 15 and Nov. 21. All five shows take place at the Columbia Theatre in downtown Hammond. Adult tickets are priced at $35, while student and child tickets run $25, and both can be purchased through the Columbia Theatre's website or by calling (985) 549-2787.
Winter expressed confidence in the team bringing the new adaptation to the stage, saying, “Our cast and production team are top notch. We cannot wait for the public to see this show!” It isn't the first time the Columbia Theatre has turned to Jamerson for a stage adaptation; the playwright also wrote the script for the theater's production of The Jungle Book, according to the Hammond Star.
A Holiday Staple Gets a Fresh Script
Other familiar stories at the Columbia
Jamerson’s Columbia Theatre work has included writing the script for the venue’s The Jungle Book, according to The Hammond Star. The newspaper reported that Alice’s Christmas in Wonderland, performed at the theatre in fall 2020, was the first of his plays performed there. The Columbia Theatre’s 2024-2025 season page also listed Clue, describing it as bringing the classic board game and movie to the Columbia stage.
The production gives Hammond audiences a locally written version of a familiar holiday story. Its five performances are spread across just over a week, with the final show set for Nov. 21.
