Theatre Review: "Q Brothers Christmas Carol" delightfully spins up Dickens with rap, hip hop and modern sensibilities

What “Rocky Horror Picture Show” was to 50s-era science fiction double features, what “The Blues Brothers” was to traditional blues in the age of pre-programmed electronic disco, and what “Hamilton” was to American History, the “Q Brothers Christmas Carol” is to Charles Dickens’ remarkably adaptable 1843 novella.

Depending on your point of view, the Holiday Industrial Complex either curses or blesses us this time of year with a bulging bag of shiny, holiday-themed entertainments. “Q Brothers Christmas Carol,” presented by the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, is blessedly scheduled for a long run on the small stage in the intimate theater space at the National Blues Museum. That means there’s plenty of opportunity to include this fresh, rappy, hip-hoppy version of the classic Christmas tale – maybe even more than once.

As reimagined by the Q Brothers Collective, a multi-ethnic, racially diverse creative team, this “Christmas Carol” gallops through – and spoofs -- the original story and blends it with some pointed – and pointedly funny – commentaries about social inequities in America today. Oh, and the show sets all of this with an impressive mash-up of contemporary musical styles – from reggae to dubstep, the aforementioned hip-hop and rap, as well as some big-hair rock ballad moments – all underscored with clever lyrics and beats spun live by the onstage DJ Mel Bady, aka DJ Stank.

But wait, there’s still more. The small cast does a lot of doubling of roles that will leave you laughing like the dickens. Victor Musoni plays a Jacob Marley condemned to spend eternity in Jamaica as a Rastafarian. Get it, Marley as in Bob Marley? He also plays a Tiny Tim who goes by Lil’ Tim. Maya Vinice Prentiss adeptly transitions from Bob Cratchit to a range of other characters.

As Scrooge, Garrett Young gets more stage time, but he doesn’t upstage the power of this tight ensemble. But he does get some of the best lines, including his signature “Chris-my-butt-mas!” Though he doesn’t say butt. And, his duet with Belle, “Let’s Get Fiscal” ala Olivia Newton John’s “Let’s Get Physical” is one of the show’s highlights.

As another note of encouragement: you don’t need to be an aficionado of hip-hop and rap to love this show. You need only be ready to let this show hit you with its fire hose of creativity.  

“Q Brothers Christmas Carol” continues its run through December 23. For more information, visit St. Louis Shakespeare Festival or The National Blues Museum.