It’s the 14th year the Jefferson County Library Foundation has thrown its Rare & Novel event. This small event that was traditionally a celebration of great books and the Foundation’s Friends of Jefferson County Library is turning a new page in 2015—a page straight from the works of famed author Charles Dickens. Hence the name of the benefit: Read Like the Dickens: A Rare & Novel Event. This year’s fundraiser will be held Thursday, November 12, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Baldoria on the Water in Lakewood.
“We didn’t want to celebrate just great books,” said Jo Schantz, executive director of the Jefferson County Library Foundation, “we also wanted to celebrate our great Friends, supporters, volunteers and the holidays.”
This involved creating an atmosphere that was as familiar as the family table with entertainment that tipped its hat to Dickens, while nodding to modern readers. Schantz didn’t want to spoil the surprise, but shared that the Red Rocks Community College Theatre Arts & Dance Department created an audience-interactive play based on Dickens’ iconic A Christmas Carol, just for Read Like the Dickens.
“A Christmas Carol is such a classic story with so many different elements that resonate yet today,” said the playwright Kelli Krieschel. “We all associate it with the holiday season and a celebration of the ability for lives to change. My thinking about making an abridged version to be presented as a short performance piece led to a vision of condensing scenes into humorous situations that most of us can relate with.”
The Original Dickens Carolers performing at Belmar. Courtesy Original Dickens Carolers
That isn’t to say JCLF has skirted tradition entirely. The Original Dickens Carolers will start the evening off by singing like the Dickens. The group began their career in 1986 on Denver’s Larimer Street and have since continued their tradition of professional caroling. They have become a regular feature during the winter holidays at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, the Arvada Center for the Performing Arts and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
“We’re very fortunate that so many great theatre groups have pitched in for this year’s event,” said Schantz. “It’s a great way to kick off the season, have some fun, and—best of all—support our Jeffco libraries.”
Tickets for Read Like the Dickens are $65, and couples tickets are $120 per pair. Guests can purchase tickets online at the Foundation’s website, www.jeffcolibraryfoundation.org, or by calling 303.403.5078.