During its inaugural run in 2011, the performance was a popular antidote to holiday weariness playing to packed houses. The performance was READER RECOMMENDED, with reviewer Kerry Reid saying "Montgomery's smart, heartfelt reinvention proves that you don't need fake snow and flying ghosts to make the tale resonate," and Time Out Chicago's Oliver Sava calling Montgomery "a skilled, charming performer."

This year's production has been revised to build on this solid foundation, incorporating the lessons learned from the audience and reshaping the material in honor of the 2012 Dickens Bicentennial.