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Holiday Treat
by Deidre McFadyen
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol reviewed December 3, 2005
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| Photo Credit:Michael Poignand |
| Only a Scrooge would not be infected with the spirit of Christmas after seeing the delightful musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol that Personal Space Theatrics is presenting for a fourth season.
Dickens's hoary tale of crippled Tiny Tim and the old miser who learns the true value of Christmas may appear to cry out for parody or some other form of radical reinvention. But in his beautifully crafted, faithful rendition of the classic, director Stephen Wargo demonstrates the value of close attention to the original story and its emotional nuances.
Wargo keeps the action moving at a sprightly clip through dramatic vignettes spliced with rousing song-and-dance sequences and snatches of narration told by the 23-member company in Greek chorus fashion. The actors spread out through the two aisles and a midpoint landing in the audience section (part of an extended stage), allowing for more inventive choreography, by Ann Robideaux, in the relatively confined space.
Leading the topnotch cast, which includes three able child actors, is Robert Ian Mackenzie, whose bushy eyebrows and craggy features make him the perfect embodiment of Ebenezer Scrooge even before the first "Humbug!" bursts from his lips.
Nicholas Alexiy Moran as Bob Cratchit and Michael Poignand as Fred infuse their leaner roles with warm humanity. Also worthy of special mention are Michael Salonia and Kathleen Hinders as the roguish Mr. Fezziwig, under whom Scrooge apprenticed as a young man, and his saucy wife.
The spare set by David Esler consists of tall lantern posts that serve double duty as coat racks, garlands draped on the walls, a large slab of black construction board, and 10 large black cubes. Bringing it all to life is the work of lighting designer Timothy Swiss and sound designer Chris Rummel, who both work in bold strokes.
Costume designer Jessa-Raye Court does yeoman's work outfitting the large cast in period costumes (at a low budget). But it is in her depiction of the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future that she gets to flex her creative muscle. For two of the spirits, she uses gold paper masks, which give them an appropriately otherworldly cast.
A good example of the able teamwork of the production's designers is Marley's Ghost, who is dimly lit by a green spotlight and whose frayed finery gives off puffs of dust as he moves.
Expertly arranged by Dianne Adams McDowell, the musical sequences are embedded so organically in the drama that the transitions in and out of song are virtually invisible. Matt Vinson, the musical director, provides spirited accompaniment on piano.
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol opens and closes with a medley of Christmas carols and hymns, both traditional and obscure. The full company belts out these tunes in a manner as resonant and uplifting as any church choir's.
You'll leave the theater in high spirits, humming under your breath and thinking better of the world than it probably deserves for the rest of your day or night.
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TBG Theatre
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Category: Musical
Written by: Adapted by Stephen Wargo, Musical Arrangements by Dianne Adams McDowell
Directed by: Stephen Wargo
Produced by: Personal Space Theatrics
Opened: December 2, 2005
Closed: December 18, 2005
Running Time: 2 hours with one intermission
Theater: TBG Theatre
Address: 312 West 36th Street 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10018
Yahoo! Maps Directions
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Tickets: $19.00
17.00 Seniors/Students/Children, 15.00 Groups of Ten or More, 10.00 - Tuesdays 12/06 & 12/13 All seats
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Creative Team
Written by: Charles Dickens
Adapted and directed by: Stephen Wargo
Produced by: Personal Space Theatrics
Music Arrangement: Dianne Adams McDowell
Musical Direction: Matt Vinson
Choreographer: Ann Robideaux
Light Designer: Timothy Swiss
Sound Designer: Chris Rummel
Set Designer: David Esler
Costume Designer: Jessa-Raye Court
Assistant Director: Greg Cicchino
Technical Director: Jon Furlong
Associate Lighting Designer: Heatherlyn E. Egan
Props Designer: Casey Smith
Marketing Designer: Michael Poignand
PST Web Designer: Robb Perry
Program Designer: Jacob Boller
Cast
Robert Ian Mackenzie as Ebenezer Scrooge
Nicholas Alexiy Moran as Bob Cratchit
Michael Poignand as Fred
Michael Pesce as Poorhouse Overseer/The Ghost of Christmas Present
Michael Salonia as Churchwarden/Mr. Fezziwig
Jordan D'Angelo as Beggar/Boy Scrooge/Ignorance/The Turkey Boy
Howard Pinhasik as Marley's Ghost/Old Joe
Juliet Heller as The Ghost of Christmas Present
Bryan McElroy as Young Scrooge/Undertaker's Assistant
Pamela Henning as Fan/Belinda Cratchit/Want
Kathleen Hinders as Mrs. Fezziwig
Adair Moran as Belle/The Maid
Carol Hickey as Mrs. Cratchit
Colin Israel as Peter Cratchit
Michelle Kinney as Martha Cratchit
Paul Blank and Henry Evans as Tim Cratchit
Rich Fromm as Topper/The Ghost of Christmas Future
Melissa Menzie as Elizabeth
Melissa Center as Catherine
Andrea McCullough as Charwoman
Chris Kateff as Paul Aguirre
Katie Zaffrann as Kristen Duffy
Crew
Production Manager: Mel Wadle
Stage Manager: Roseanne Sharrow
Assistant Stage Manager: Heatherlyn E. Egan
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