“The show must go on.” This five-word mantra has echoed across theater stages throughout history. It is also the primary theme of “A Manhattan Christmas Carol,” the Fall play produced by the Hannon Theater Company, which ended its four-night run on Sunday, Dec. 8.

The production, an innovative retelling of “A Christmas Carol,” is a smashing success. It creatively fuses Dickens’ classic fable with other modern elements to keep it relevant today. As usual, it featured actors from Loyola and all-girls schools across Los Angeles, like Marlborough.

The show is a play within a play, with the first act primarily providing exposition on all of the zany characters and crazy circumstances surrounding a fictitious 1937 production of “A Christmas Carol.” The second act is the “Christmas Carol” play itself.

Will Sinclair, expertly portrayed by John Robert Francis ‘28, leads a lively cast of characters to buoy the often formulaic “Christmas Carol” story. Cole Dennis ‘25 delivers a strong performance as producer Moe Flanagan, and Tucker Rowland ‘28 gives a winning turn as mobster Knuckles McNichols and the Ghost of Christmas Present. Emma Armour and Emma Kenney each take on several different female roles, with both deftly giving each character a unique flavor.

While funny at times (Rowland’s Jimmy Cagney impression as McNichols earned more than a few laughs from the audience), the play also touches on important emotional themes. Playwright Walter Wolfe offers a stark and timely warning about the dangers of political authorities attempting to censor artistic expression while emphasizing the classic “Christmas Carol” themes of caring for others and generosity.

Throughout Wolfe’s tenure at the helm of the Hannon Theater Company, the troupe has consistently produced thoughtful quality entertainment. “A Manhattan Christmas Carol” continues the excellence of years past, and their Spring musical, “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” is sure to wow audiences as well.