Review: A BROADWAY CHRISTMAS CAROL at MetroStage

If you've never pictured poor, struggling Bob Cratchit singing Dolly Parton's "Workin' 9 to 5", perhaps you should. If you've never seen Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" infused with songs and sight gags from over thirty Broadway shows, you can remedy that at MetroStage this holiday season with A BROADWAY CHRISTMAS CAROL.

Now in its sixth season, A BROADWAY CHRISTMAS CAROL combines Dickens with comedic revelry and parody, constantly working to make all audience members chuckle, even if it's accompanied with an obligatory eye roll. Director, choreographer and cast member MICHAEL SHARP (The Man Who Isn't Scrooge) lets each of his talented actors be themselves, and just play. Plus, they are able to abandon any pretense of formality. In one scene, one character tells the other to stand "where the director told us to", and it's all just fun.

The central tale remains the same. Ebenezer Scrooge, a sniveling miser, is haunted by three spirits who work to remind him that he can change and be the good person he started out trying to become. After seeing the past, present and future, as well as his old business partner Jacob Marley (pronounced "yay-cub" by a fruit-clad Marley in this version), Scrooge emerges on Christmas Day ready to fix his mistakes and make those around him merry too.

What makes this show different and effective is its infusion of Broadway tunes, ludicrously rewritten to fit the story. The Ghost of Christmas Past pulls from THE FANTASTICKS, telling Scrooge, "try to remember when you were still limber..." Scrooge's instant reaction to his doorknocker turning into Jacob Marley is "Trouble" from THE MUSIC MAN. And the third spirit isn't The Ghost of Christmas Future, so much as "The Phantom of Christmases Yet to Come" (sing that 10 times fast). Broadway fans will instantly recognize chords of their favorite showtunes, and those who know none of them will laugh all the same. The show and its members readily admit to cheap laughs and puns, but they put a lot of effort into them.

The cast remains small and mighty, four actors with comedic gravitas who genuinely look like they're having fun and trying not to crack up in the process. MICHAEL SHARP juggles a hard of hearing, commanding Ghost of Christmas Past, a vengeful Tiny Tim and the flouncing nephew Fred. PETER BOYER is not your typical Scrooge, more petulant and bouncy than brooding, and a whole bunch of fun. This Scrooge is easily frightened, and at times, just plain sassy. We all know the character, so this is a refreshing, delightful change.

The Capitol Steps veteran and total package TRACEY STEPHENS taps, sings and shimmies her way through a number of roles, from Belle, Scrooge's cross-eyed love, to Marley, to the Ghost of Christmas Presents. HOWARD BREITBART returns as Musical Director and The Man Behind the Piano, and hilariously laments having to play piano half-blinded by The Phantom's mask.

Set Designer ALISON CAMPBELL's playground is a simple, Christmas-colored setup with surrounding lights, a patterned curtain in the center and easily moved props and furniture to accomodate the scene. My only complaint here is that there could have been a bit more upkeep to keep it looking fresh, but it didn't really take away. Costume Designer JANINE SUNDAY gives the actors typical Victorian costumes, and makes the pieces mostly easy to change given the constant character shifts. The costumes and microphones occasionally conflicted, causing noises, but the actors pressed on.

With all of the stress of the holiday season, sometimes, you just need something that makes you laugh. And that is exactly what A BROADWAY CHRISTMAS CAROL does. Go to have some fun, break your usual traditions and potentially start a new one. It's a blissfully amusing way to spend an evening.

A BROADWAY CHRISTMAS CAROL runs at MetroStage through December 27th. For more information, visit the production page. Photo credit: Chris Banks