Mike Randall will perform ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Barre church on Dec. 16
Provided photo: Mike Randall will perform his solo impersonation of Charles Dickens Presents: “A Christmas Carol” on Dec. 16 at Barre Center Presbyterian Church.
BARRE CENTER – Mike Randall, retired feature reporter for WKBW Channel 7, will present his critically acclaimed rendition of Charles Dickens in “A Christmas Carol” on Dec. 16 at the Barre Center Presbyterian Church.
The solo performance will begin at 7 p.m. and feature Randall in what has been acclaimed as “an exquisite, moving performance.”
Randall’s appearance comes from an invitation by Albion native Charles Nesbitt, who has invited Randall to the Albion area several times in recent years to do his impersonation of Mark Twain and Dickens.
Having performed his Mark Twain show for 51 years and now the Dickens show for 16 years, Randall has been to Orleans County a number of times throughout the years.
“The first time I brought Charles Dickens to Orleans County was 2009 at the Carlton Methodist Church for two performances, with a return engagement in 2021,” Randall said.
Randall is a lover of Buffalo history and when he discovered Charles Dickens performed in Buffalo in 1868, he decided to recreate Dickens presentation of his most well-known story, “A Christmas Carol.”
Randall started performing as Mark Twain in his first year of college, just to see if he could do it. His first show was May 14, 1972 at Rosary Hill College. He celebrated his 50th anniversary of the show on May 14 last year at the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda.
“Mike Randall is a gifted performer who once again brings the spirit of Christmas to Orleans County,” Nesbitt said. “The beautifully decorated Barre Center Presbyterian Church is the perfect place to experience an evening immersed in Charles Dickens classic story.”
Randall said coming to Orleans County has always been special for him. He and his wife Kathy are avid campers and have a favorite spot at Golden Hill State Park.
“As a reporter for WKBW-TV I would always enjoy my trips to the country to cover stories,” Randall said. “And now I have family in the county. My son, his wife and my grandchildren live in Medina.”
In addition to his 40 years as an award-winning feature reporter on Channel 7, Randall also spent several years as chief meteorologist. He has also performed a variety of roles in theaters across the country, and spent time as the Marvelous Magical Burger King, where he perfected his abilities as a magician and live family entertainer. He is a member of the Puppeteers of America, and was inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame in September 2017.
Tickets to see Randall as Charles Dickens at Barre Center Presbyterian Church are $20 and available at Orleans Travel Bureau at 21 East Bank St., Albion, or from church members. A limited number will be available at the door.
