Fam-friendly Plays of Experience NoHo: 'Bob Cratchit & Mr. Tightwad,' 'Brandon Scott & Friends'

For those that did not go to , you missed a great opportunity to connect with the soul of the NoHo Art District, as well as amazing craft beer and sweet potato fries!

I took a look at two performances in the mix of dozens of other sneak previews going on that day.

Bob Cratchit & Mr. Tightwad at the Secret Rose Theatre is a re-telling of the classic Dickens' A Christmas Carol, this time told from Bob Cratchit's (Foster Walker) perspective. Only he's dead now and acts as chorus to his own story, slipping in at key moments in the play.

Director Trace Oakley did not want to give too much of the play away, but he says other minor Carol characters take the spotlight in Mr. Tightwad, like Scrooge's one true love Nell and the rag-pickers that raid future Scrooge's house after his demise. The Ghosts of Past, Present and Future are given a modern-day makeover, using iPhones and speaking contemporary American English.

The play will run from Dec. 8-31.

Brandon Scott & Friends at the Actors Forum Theatre will be a weekly improvised variety showcase, featuring magic, music, skits and whatever else happens to show up at Brandon's feet.

Scott, a.k.a. The Wizard of NoHo, entertained the Forum with card tricks and a folk song recitation of Hamlet's "To be or not to be" speech. Other acts included Irish lass Mhairi Morrison's kinetic Modern Mime (the kind that talk, A LOT!) and Bonnie Gordon's gypsy dance. The accompanying pianist even becomes part of the act.

The best part of this show next to the magic would have to be Larry Lederman, alumni of the Actor's Forum Workshop, who's naturalistic improv talent brought tears of laughter to my eyes as he embodied a cowboy receptionist and a bitter landlord in two completely unrehearsed skits.

The variety show will run weekly starting in January through March 2012.