Ever wish you could experience the world of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol? A Noise Within granted its guests just that this past Sunday.

The only year-round classical repertory company in Southern California hosted a holly jolly fundraiser called “Fezziwig’s Festive Holiday Tea,” followed by a live performance of the famous holiday time classic, A Christmas Carol.

The inaugural event was held at A Noise Within's new, modern Pasadena theatre and was named for a generously kind and giving character in the famous novella. Upon arriving, guests were greeted by costumed members of the cast and were handed Prosecco to begin the festivities.

Upon being seated, guests were served tea in British style, along with an array of appetizers. The tea was complete with blueberry scones, strawberry jam and clotted cream, as well as an assortment of finger sandwiches. Crab dip and shrimp were also laid out alongside endives and smoked salmon corn cakes.

The holiday tea, catered by Peggy Dark and The Kitchen for Exploring Foods, concluded with a magnificent spread of desserts, ranging from sticky toffee pudding with ice cream and candied orange peels, to strawberry meringue served in martini glasses, and even trifle.

The best part of all the merrymaking was that the proceeds from the $300-apiece tea benefitted A Noise Within’s Classics Live! education outreach programs. The programs help over 10,000 students a year from more than 130 schools, across 5 Southern California counties.

“We wanted to create a special fundraising event surrounding A Christmas Carol that people of all ages can enjoy,” said Geoff Elliott, A Noise Within's Producing Artistic Director.

“We envision families, friends and loved ones making the annual tea a new holiday tradition,” said fellow Producing Artistic Director Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, who co-directed the moving yet humorous take on Dickens’ timeless masterpiece.

The Classics Live! program aims to make live classical theatre more accessible to students, and to enhance the classroom learning experience for teachers and their students.

The unique twists on the tale of joy, forgiveness and love added a special touch to the traditional story. For an in-depth review on the performance, go here.

The special holiday tea fundraising event started at noon and didn't end before late afternoon, when everyone left satiated in both stomach and spirit.

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