Why does Ford's Theatre want to ruin my Christmas?

Today is the day that I usually order my "A Christmas Carol" tickets for Ford's Theatre for December. I get so excited about this that I put a reoccuring reminder on my outlook calendar to remind me not to be a day late in ordering the tickets, lest I get seats in any other row but the 1st. It's a tragedy to watch the play from a lessor row.

I was somewhat dismayed when I logged on to the page today to read the review and dutifully buy my tickets only to learn that the theatre has decided to continue with the version of the play they performed last year. Two years ago, the play was lavish with fluffy white and red materials, a plump and wonderful Santa and plenty of traditional Christmas cheer. Last year, the play was ridden with scenes I so vividly remember, such as the part played by the ghost of Christmas Present, who was a Jamaiican man on stilts, only partially dressed in a hideous robe. Or take for instance the 15-minute scene during which I swear I nodded off from boredom, where several women in bright orange, green and turquise danced around a maypole. There was also the matter of the set, which featured Scrooge's office desk perched upon a stack of old treasure chests draped in chains.

Oddly enough, I don't remember any of these nuances written into the original book by Dickens. And frankly, I doubt Dickens would be all that thrilled that Ford's Theatre has taken such liberty with his masterpiece. Upon leaving the theatre, I felt so dejected by the whole experience that I felt for a number of days as if Christmas had been ruined. Yes, ruined. That might seem harsh, but true, nonetheless. Two years ago, we left the play feeling as if each fluttering snow flake that fell on our way out was laced with magic. Last year, we left the play feeling like Santa had just been run over by a snow plow.

My question is this: How could they allow this to continue for another year? In the days following the opening of the play, the reviews were just as harsh as mine. Everyone gave it a huge thumbs down. And yet, this year the website says something to the jist of "because everyone loved the play last year, we're bringing it back." Are you blind AND stupid? No one liked that play. And the worst part is that I did not buy my tickets today. Nor will I. At all. Ever again. Until they restore Christmas.