'A Christmas Carol' enjoys fresh touches
It's all there!The holly, the snow, the chiming bells, the punchbowl, the Christmas carols and, of course, redemption. ACT Theatre is presenting its 32nd annual stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," and it's a grand way to celebrate the holiday.
Each year the show is just a little different from the production the year before, and each year it seems better than ever. That's somewhat surprising since the production staff this year is virtually identical to that of last year. Once again R. Hamilton Wright is directing, but this time he fashioned a "Carol" in which the dark side is even darker than usual and the bright side is even more festive.
As the play unfolds, Scrooge seems meaner than we remember. Some of his dream experiences appear to be creepier, and even the Cratchit's existence looks to be bleaker. The credit for many of the dark moments must go to Michael Wellborn (lighting) and Eric Chappelle and Steven M. Klein (sound). The lighting melds with the sound to provide just the right lugubrious aura for Scrooge's nightmare.
But there are many jolly moments in contrast to the sober ones. There are parties large and small, lots of dancing, delightful party games and, of course, singing of those familiar carols.
The mid-19th-century costumes assembled by Deb Trout work marvelously to create both the somber and festive moods. Men in high collars and plaid outer coats with capes stroll the streets. When inside, they wear brightly designed vests under their waistcoats, and all but the poorest of urchins, beggars and Scrooge seem to revel in bright colors.
The pièce de résistance is Mr. Fezziwig, well played by Ian Bell. He's a rather large vision in bright red tights, red-and-gold-striped knickers and waistcoat. The extravagant costume suits his outsized personality. He's the loving fun-master, providing delight and silliness for his family and workers.
In contrast to this jolly fellow is the parsimonious Ebenezer Scrooge. He well establishes his temperament when he first walks on stage and smacks the donation cup out of the hand of a disabled beggar, and for the first, but not the last, time iterates his iconic "Bah, humbug."
Rotating in the part of Scrooge are actors David Pichette and Mark Chamberlin. On the night I saw the play, Chamberlin was on stage. He makes a mean miser. He'll give no donations to the poor. "Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?" he asks, suggesting that by paying taxes he does all he should for the less fortunate. Goodness, I think that attitude still exists in certain segments of our society - but never mind. On with the show.
Scrooge chooses not to go to the holiday party at the home of his nephew, who made the mistake of marrying for love not money. And certainly he'll give no kind word to poor Bob Cratchit, who works long hours for him in an office so cold, his shivering hands have trouble holding his quill.
Chamberlin's Scrooge is dapper but dour. A well-turned-out man with a heart of stone - that is, until Christmas Eve when, in his dreams, he is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
The first ghost, a sprite-like snow princess, shows him scenes from his childhood. And if that's not enough to melt his heart, the next ghost, marvelously played by Richard Ziman, is a sybaritic epicure, bare chest visible under his long, maroon velvet robe trimmed in white. He alights from his tufted couch, steps past the fruits, nuts and sweetmeats that surround it and takes Scrooge to view his nephew's party where guests reveal their true feelings about the tightwad. From there Scrooge is taken to see just how wretched is the life of the humble Cratchit family.
The final ghost, a voiceless apparition in black, reveals a lonely death for a man unmourned. Scrooge doesn't want to believe that he is that poor fellow, but the audience gets it long before he does.
Happily for Ebenezer, it is all a dream. He awakens to a fine Christmas day, reborn, redeemed. A new man filled with kindness emerges, one who immediately sets about to bring joy to others and thus to himself.
Good message, good fun for the whole family. Merry Christmas, everyone!
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