It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to a certain Charles Dickens’ classic. It probably is not “The Old Curiosity Shop” you’re thinking of, but like “A Christmas Carol,” it was an instant hit, from London to America.

According to a 2013 article in The Atlantic, it was so popular that New York readers stormed the wharf when the ship bearing the final installment arrived in 1841.

PICT Classic Theatre presents “The Old Curiosity Shop” to open its 2018-19 season, with Alan Stanford adapting Dickens’ series of stories that follow the adventures of 14-year-old Nell Trent and her grandfather, the proprietor of the title shop.

The cast features Martin Giles, James FitzGerald, Karen Baum and Caroline Lucas as Little Nell.

‘Coram Boy’ at Pittsburgh Playhouse

The Pittsburgh Playhouse revealed the possibilities of its Rauh Theatre black box with "Cabaret" for openers, followed by the versatile Highmark Theater, with the Playhouse REP performing the drama "Coram Boy” through Dec. 2.

Directed by Tome Cousin and based on Jamila Gavin’s novel, The New York Times described "Coram Boys" as "a tale rich in sentimental unions and sinister deeds, heart-tugging partings and gob-smacking coincidences." The play is set in 18th-century England, at the Coram Hospital for Deserted Children, with dark twists and turns accompanied by the music of Adrian Sutton.

"Coram Boy" picks up Nov. 29 after a long Thanksgiving break, times vary. 7:30 p.m Friday, Nov. 29, 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, and 2 p.m. Dec. 2. Tickets are $20-$30, and there are discounts for students and seniors; http://www.pittsburghplayhouse.com or 412-392-8000. 

Sharon Eberson: seberson@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1960. Twitter: @SEberson_pg.

First Published: November 21, 2018, 5:00 a.m.