Dickens Descendant Delivers Virtual Performances For MCPL

     Gerald Dickens, the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, will return to Mid-Continent Public Library virtually this holiday season for his annual rendition of A Christmas Carol. This year, Dickens has pre-recorded his performance in Rochester, England, where his great-great-grandfather took inspiration for his writing. The spirited one-man performance, in which Dickens’ depicts all 26 characters, will be available to be viewed online at the following times:
 
Tuesday, December 15, at 10:00am
Saturday, December 19, at 6:00pm
Monday, December 21, at 10:00am
Tuesday, December 22, at 7:00pm
 
     A professional actor in England, the energetic Dickens—who has been performing for MCPL audiences for more than 25 years—leaps, laughs, and sobs as he portrays the voices of A Christmas Carol, bringing the classic to life with his dramatic rendition and striking resemblance to his great-great-grandfather.
     Customers must register in advance at mymcpl.org/Dickens, and they will then receive an emailed coupon code to view the special 75-minute performance online through Vimeo.
     In addition to the virtual performance, MCPL will host two live Q&A sessions with Gerald Dickens, during which he will share his experiences filming A Christmas Carol: A Special Virtual Performance by Gerald Dickens on location in Rochester.
     The Q&As will be held via Zoom on Monday, December 7, at 6:00pm and Wednesday, December 16 at 10:00am. Like the performance, advance registration is required for the Q&As at mymcpl.org/Dickens. Participants will be emailed a Zoom access code 15 minutes before the start of the program. Please note: You must sign into the room prior to the start of the program. Admittance to the classroom will close five minutes after the program's start time. Space is limited.
     As well as Dickens’ performance, the Library is offering a host of other virtual holiday programs for all ages this season, including:
 
Night Before Christmas Carol – Monday, November 30, at 7:00 pm and Tuesday, December 1, at 7:00 pm
     Join Charles Dickens in his study for a very special night as he creates his holiday classic, A Christmas Carol. Join David zum Brunnen in this special virtual program as he portrays 17 characters as well as Charles Dickens himself. 
     Recommended by the Dickens family, MCPL is privileged to offer this performance to continue its Dickens tradition. Each program will be followed by a question and answer session with David Zum Brunnen. Please register separately for the Q&A.
 
Festival of Colors (MCPL360 Facebook page) – December 1 at 10:00am 
 
Let’s Draw: Reindeer Fun (Zoom) – December 3 at 7:00pm
 
Winter Wonderlaughs (MCPL360 Facebook page) – December 4 at 4:00pm and January 7 at 7:00pm
 
Winter Yoga Adventure (MCPL360 Facebook page) – December 4 and January 4 at 10:00am
 
Read & Sing with Mr. Stinky Feet: Hark It’s Harold the Angel (MCPL360 Facebook page) – December 8 at 10:00am
 
The Wires: An Intimate Christmas Concert (MCPL360 Facebook page) – December 9 at 7:00 pm
 
Christmas: From Ireland to the Ozarks (MCPL360 Facebook page) – December 10 at 7:00pm
 
Jim “Two Crows” Wallen Presents: A Visit with Santa Claus (MCPL360 Facebook page) – December 10 and 17 at 10:00am and December 23 at 7:00pm
 
The Thomas/DeLancey Duet: Traditional Acoustic Music (MCPL360 Facebook page) – December 15 at 7:00pm and December 18 at 10:00am
 
The Dickens Carolers (MCPL360 Facebook page) – December 17 at 7:00pm and December 19 at 10:00am
 
Mr. Stinky Feet's Christmas (MCPL360 Facebook page) – December 22 at 10:00am
 
Mad Science Happy Holidays Show (Zoom) – December 23 at 4:00pm
 
Happy New Year! (MCPL360 Facebook page) – January 5 at 10:00am
 
Find more information about each of these programs and register at mymcpl.org/Holiday.