92°F
weather icon Clear

Actor brings one-man version of ‘Christmas Carol’ to library

Originally published in 1843, Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol,” has become one of the most well-known and oft-covered stories in Western literature with its story of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey to find the meaning of Christmas.

On Saturday, the Boulder City Library will welcome Los Angeles-based actor Duffy Hudson for the second year in a row to present one of the more unique portrayals an audience will find of the feel-good ghost story: a one-man show.

During the 75-minute show, and without the use of props or costume changes, Hudson will bring 30 different characters to life as he tells the tale of kindness and redemption through the voices of such characters as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Bob Crachit and the tragic Tiny Tim.

Hudson performed “A Christmas Carol” at the library last year and the show was such a success that Director Kim Diehm was thrilled to bring him back.

“He is a veteran actor who brilliantly captivates the audience by bringing characters to life with the most minimal of settings,” Diehm said. “To me that’s what makes his performance so noteworthy: his ability to do so much with so little.”

Hudson has been acting since he was a child, including nearly 50 plays while in high school, and he studied theater while in college in New York. While acting has always been his passion, it wasn’t until about 15 years ago that he began performing one-man shows.

“My booking company actually came up with the idea and asked if any of their clients, including me, had any one-man-show projects they could pitch,” Hudson said. “Well I didn’t at the time, but I thought about it and put together a proposal and they went for it. I’ve been doing it consistently ever since.

His first show, and still one of his most successful, was based on Edgar Allen Poe, during which he portrays the iconoclastic author as he performs reading of “The Raven” and “The Tell-Tale Heart.” In another of his most popular shows, Hudson depicts Harry Houdini and even escapes from a straitjacket.

He has portrayed these, and other figures of history and literature, at schools and public institutions across the country. His shows have been so successful that last year he was recognized as the best one-man-show performer in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Daily News.

This is Hudson’s seventh year performing “A Christmas Carol” and this show in Boulder City will be his last of this holiday season.

“I’ve always loved ‘A Christmas Carol,’ such an emotional story of love, redemption and the Christmas spirit,” Hudson said. “And this show, a one-man performance without props or changes, you’re not going to experience it anywhere else. We take the ride together.”

The show will begin at 1 p.m. in the community room; it is free and all ages are welcome to attend. The library is at 701 Adams Blvd.

For more information, call 702-293-1281 or visit http://duffyhudson.com/a-christmas-carol.

MOST READ
THE LATEST
Soaring like an Eagle

By Abby Francis

Hall makes a musical journey from Charleston to BC

When the 2023 inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame were announced last week, one newer resident of Boulder City had more of an emotional stake in the outcome than most.

Boulder City a popular spot for Hollywood shoots

Filming movies, television shows or commercials in Las Vegas is very common. But over the years, Boulder City has seen its fair share of moments on the both the big and small screen as well as the pages of many magazines.

Best Bets, March 9-15

1 READY TO ROCK: The Rock, Roll & Stroll fundraiser for the Senior Center of Boulder City’s Meals on Wheels program will be presented from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in Bicentennial Park, 999 Colorado St. The fifth annual event will include a car show, games, food and music by DJ Mike Pacini. For more information, call 702-293-3320.

Best Bets, March 2-8

1 MUSIC MAKER: Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ted Sablay will perform at the Boulder Dam Brewing Company from 7-10 Saturday night. A native of Wisconsin, Sablay now calls Las Vegas home. He has spent much of the past 20 years as a touring member and regular collaborator with The Killers. He debuted his first album as a solo artist in 2022. The Brewpub is at 453 Nevada Way. Call 702-243-2739 or visit www.boulderdambrewing.com for more information.

Best Bets, Feb. 23-March 1

1 FANTASTIC THEATER: The Young Hearts Theater Group, sponsored by Boulder City United Methodist Church, will present C.S. Lewis’ classic fantasy tale “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Elaine K. Smith Building, 700 Wyoming St. Admission is free.

Best Bets, Feb. 16-22

1 MORE MOVIES: The Dam Short Film Festival returns for its 19th incarnation and with in-person screenings, but at a new location. Scheduled Thursday through Monday at the Elaine K. Smith Building, 700 Wyoming St., the festival will screen 153 short films in about 30 programs. Tickets are $12.50 per program, $45 for a full-day pass and $150 for an event pass. Visit www.damshortfilm.org for more information.

Best Bets, Feb. 9-15

1 RED CARPET READY: Celebrity couples will be roaming the streets downtown Saturday as the Best Dam Wine Walk hosts its monthly event. Scheduled from 4-8 p.m., with check-in through 6:30 at My 4 Sons Comic Cards, 1308 Wyoming St., the wine walk provides an opportunity to visit local businesses, often after their regular hours. Admission is $25 per person, plus Eventbrite fees, in advance or $30 at check-in.