Review: Dickens Meets 'Glee' in ZACH's A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A ROCKIN' FAMILY MUSICAL

Who doesn't know the story of Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol"? The story is drummed into our heads every holiday season from the moment we're able to process speech. The story has been adapted a staggering number of times for film, stage, opera, and other media. "A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost-Story of Christmas", is most commonly known simply as "A Christmas Carol" and was first published in 1843 with that first edition selling out by Christmas Eve. Remarkably, it has never been out of print and by the end of the first year, thirteen editions had been released. It has been translated into several languages. It tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge (Harvey Guion), an old miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley (Roderick Sanford) and the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Kenny Williams), Present (Chanel), and Yet to Come (Roderick Sanford). Their visits transform Scrooge into a kinder and gentler man.

Dickens had written three previous Christmas stories prior to this novella and academics are still debating whether the tale is a secular story or a Christian allegory. Dickens wrote the novella at a time when the British were examining and exploring their Christmas traditions from the past, such as carols, as well as new customs such as Christmas trees. It makes perfect sense that this adaptation by Dave Steakley does something very similar each time this ZACH original gets produced, by adding and subtracting hit songs. Now in its fourth consecutive year, ZACH Theatre's A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A ROCKIN' FAMILY MUSICAL combines pop chart toppers and reimagined carols for a totally unique experience.

Scrooge (Harvey Guion) hates Christmas, proving it by refusing to attend the Christmas dinner at the home of his nephew Fred (Travis Gaudin), turning away two men (Kenny Williams and CK Anderson) who seek a donation from him in order to provide food and heating for the poor, and only grudgingly allowing his poor mistreated clerk, Bob Cratchit (Paul Sanchez) Christmas Day off. That night, Scrooge is visited by Marley's ghost (Roderick Sanford) who tells him he has one chance to avoid a horrible fate: he will be visited by three spirits and if he doesn't listen to them he will be cursed to carry chains of his own, much longer than Marley's.

The Ghost of Christmas Past (Kenny Williams) takes Scrooge back to his youth, reminding him of his lonely childhood, his relationship with his beloved sister Fan (Blakeney Mahlstedt / Scarlet Craig), and a Christmas party hosted by his first employer, Mr. Fezziwig (Roderick Sanford), and, lastly, his neglected fiancée Belle (Sidney Scott). The second spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Present (Chanel), takes Scrooge to Fred's Christmas party and to the Cratchit's family feast where he is introduced to Bob's youngest son, Tiny Tim (Adi Dahl / Colin White), who is seriously ill. The spirit informs Scrooge that Tiny Tim will die soon unless the course of events changes. Before disappearing, the spirit shows Scrooge two children named Ignorance and Want, mocking Scrooge's concern for their welfare. Michelle Alexander does double duty as both Mrs. Fezziwig and Mrs. Cratchit. Luke Weaver, Mercy Bovik, Alysa Spiro, Elli Grace Hodges, Stella Blue Frye-Ginsberg, Georgia Orchid and Sloane Johnson portray the rest of the Cratchit family. For roles with multiple performers, no indication was given in the program as to who was performing the night I saw the show.
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Dave Steakley's adaptation makes a few key changes: firstly, he has set the tale in America (as indicated by the use of dollars and cents, rather than pounds and shillings), he has moved it 30 years in time to the 1870's (as indicated by the fashion) and he has made the Cratchit's an adoptive family. For the most part, these changes have made the story unstuck in time, or, more like "Once Upon a time". His script, while awash in anachronisms, is so charming that you really don't care. You surrender to the magic and just go where the show takes you.

Bryan Bradford's direction is, for the most part slick and smooth, especially his seamless scene changes. I did, however, see a great deal of repetition in the musical numbers where a "go to center stage, face the audience and sing" mentality seemed to prevail. Bob Lavalee's scenic design is a marvel, using the turntable and trap system most effectively to keep the story always moving along. The clock and gear framing for the proscenium is really a work of art. Allen Robertson does a great job with the music; however, the reverb effect, while most effective on the ghosts, was overused on other performers. Christa Oliver's choreography worked for the men but for the women it seemed like they were fighting their costuming in the big dance numbers. Susan Branch Towne does her usual great job on costuming, especially with the costumes for the ghosts, which are knockouts. Sarah EC Maine's lighting design is stunning and periodically wraps the entire audience in the design.

The ghosts are the real stars of this production and Chanel, Roderick Sanford and Kenny Williams all deliver. Highlights of the show are Chanel's version of "Fly Like An Eagle" and Sanford's "Man in the Mirror". Harvey Guion's Scrooge is at his best in his scenes with Chanel, becoming playful while drinking from the cup containing the Milk of Human Kindness. Also worth noting is the powerful version of "Oh Holy Night" performed by Paul Sanchez. His voice brought many of the audience to their feet. Travis Gaudin's Fred served as a charming narrator.

In all, A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A ROCKIN' FAMILY MUSICAL, works in a sort of "Glee" meets Dickens way, playing fast and loose with the source material. It's tuneful, it's flashy and it has moments of breathtaking musical performance. Not bad for a holiday entertainment.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A ROCKIN' FAMILY MUSICAL by Dave Steakley, adapted from Charles Dickens original story
Running Time: Two hours and Twenty Minutes including Intermission.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A ROCKIN' FAMILY MUSICAL, produced by ZACH Theatre on the Topher Stage (1510 Toomey Road, Austin, TX, 78704).

Performances run Wednesdays-Sundays, November 22 - December 31, 2017. Evening performances at 7:30 PM, Matinée performances at 2:30 PM

Tickets start at $25 and are available online at zachtheatre.org, by phone at 512-476-0541, or in person at the ZACH Theatre Box Office, located at 202 South Lamar Blvd., Monday through Saturday, 12-5p.m. ZACH Theatre is wheelchair accessible. Discounts are available for groups of 8 or more. Student Rush Tickets are $20 one hour before show time (with valid ID).

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