‘A CHRISTMAS CAROLE PETERSEN’

November 23, 2003.By Graydon Royce, Star Tribune.

OPENING: “Hello, my name is Tod Petersen,” says the 45-year-old man in his best nasally 5-year-old’s voice. And then he’s off on a tender tale chock full of family memories, heartache, redemption and affirmation. Named for Tod’s mother, this show is back at Theatre Latté Da for it’s fourth year, and the audience has grown each season. It’s no wonder, for Petersen feeds off the attention and gives back a sincere and infectious performance. With direction by Peter Rothstein, “Christmas Carole” zeros in on the child in everyone, setting aside skepticism and replacing it with joy. (Preview, 8 p.m. Fri.; opens 8 p.m. Sat., 2 & 7 p.m. next Sun., Loring Playhouse, 1633 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. $15-$25. 612-343-3390.)