Theatre: A Christmas Carol
Theater: A Christmas Carol
Hale Merry: Carol-ing at Hale Centre Theatre is a Dickensian delight.
by Kelly Ashkettlekashkettle@inthisweek.com
OK, raise your hand if the version of "A Christmas Carol" that you’re most familiar with stars Mickey Mouse. Don’t worry; you’re probably not alone -- "Mickey’s Christmas Carol" was broadcast on network television every year from 1984 to 1998, so if you’re between 18 and 40, chances are good that you grew up watching it for one of your holiday traditions.
And you may be comforted to know that the 24-minute animated short actually follows Charles Dickens’ original 1843 novella pretty closely. An even more faithful version, though, has lived at Hale Centre Theatre for the past 24 years.
Even some of the actors have remained the same. Richard G. Wilkins has been playing Scrooge since the beginning, and Tom Stam has been The Ghost of Christmas Present since the second year. But the best holiday traditions evolve while retaining the essence of what makes them great, and HCT’s "A Christmas Carol" is no exception.
The company has made use of some new stage effects this year. A moving path and a hollow bed that were added for "Into the Woods" now allow The Ghost of Christmas Past to emerge mysteriously from behind Scrooge’s sleeping form and revolve ominously around him. Jacob Marley is dragged away by his own chains. Most startling of all, two children representing Ignorance and Want appear to plummet into an abyss in the center of the stage.
There were several standout performances on opening night. Brad Charon, single-cast as Bob Cratchit, was deeply moving as he wept over the reformed Scrooge’s generosity. Katey Lynn Lowder, single-cast as Mrs. Cratchit, was winningly feisty as she denounced Scrooge’s stinginess. Gentrey Jeppsen, age 9, was sweetly convincing as Scrooge’s sister, Little Fan -- a role she reprised from last year. Her smooth delivery didn’t even miss a beat when her mike cut out for a few moments. Andrew C. Lake, The Ghost of Christmas Past, spoke with a chilling monotone that sounded far more world-weary than I would have thought possible from a 13-year-old boy.
Scrooge’s visits to Christmas celebrations past and present allowed for splendid choreography by Marilyn May Montgomery, sumptuous costume designs by Leslie Warwood and charming musical direction by Anne Puzey. The period carols between scenes were a bit disorienting from a plot standpoint, but their sentiment was heart-warming.
A major theme of Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol" is the importance of giving to the poor, and if HCT’s version doesn’t get you thinking about the value of charity, you might want to check to make sure you’re not already in your grave.
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