Fred Sullivan makes his Trinity Rep directing debut with this season's production of A Christmas Carol. Sullivan has been a member of Trinity's company for twenty-four seasons and has appeared in A Christmas Carol
at Trinity for twenty of those seasons. This production gave him
the perfect opportunity to fulfill his "If I were directing…"
thoughts. The result is a fast-paced, entertaining and
family-friendly production of A Christmas Carol.
The set design and execution are remarkable achievements. In its scale and wonderment, William Lane's set has a Diagon Alley feel to it. That is to say that it looks like the set could have been lifted out of a multi-million dollar movie set.
Brian McEleney
plays a pinched, creaky Ebenezer Scrooge. Under Sullivan's direction McEleney displays a great
sense of comic timing. The moment when
gentlemen collecting for charity arrive at the office and a summarily
dismissed by Scrooge is one of many humorous moments. McEleney's
Scrooge is so angry at being badgered by the do-gooders that he yells
at them to leave, but is so tensed up that no voice will come from his
throat. Mouth wide open, he yells, "Get Out!" but the sounds that
escapes is barely above a whisper.
Tony Estrella is a nice
addition to the cast as Bob Cratchit. Estrella portrays the innocence
and loyalty of Cratchit, without the milquetoast quality that is often
seen in the role.
Scrooge's interaction with Marley's ghost (Sam
Babbitt) is presented with a familiarity that the two men shared much
earlier in their life. There is no abiding terror in Scrooge
during Marley's ghost's visit, and no intent from Marley to
frighten. Attaching cash boxes to the end of Marley's ghostly
chains was a nice touch.
Trinity audiences expect
Janice Duclos
to nail any comic role she plays. As Scrooge's housekeeper Mrs.
Partlet, Duclos delivers. Duclos sports a voluminous red wig and
a thick Irish accent. Whether bartering over the price of the
late Scrooge's possessions or comforting a repentant Scrooge in her
bosom, Duclos squeezes every possible comic moment out of the role.
The
Ghosts of the Christmas Past, Present and Future are individually, and
collectively glorious. As the Ghost of Christmas past,
Stephen Thorne
(who also plays Scrooge's nephew Fred) gets to fly above the audience
while turning somersaults and making merry. The Ghost of
Christmas past is a harlequin in this production. The harlequin
costume is seen on children's toys throughout the production; another
thread to sew the narrative together.
Kelby T. Akin plays a
virile Ghost of Christmas Present. In Ron Cesario's gorgeous
costume, Akin brings a sensuality to the role that is completely
unexpected, even as his beard turns from a vibrant red, to a mousy grey
during a seamless exit and entrance from the stage.
The Ghost of
Christmas Future (Joe Donovan) is the most traditional of the three
Ghosts. A wordless, ten foot tall, boney-fingered specter is as
expected. None of the Ghosts are as visually scary as some of the
Ghosts have been in previous productions.
This, along with the quick pace, adds to Sullivan's family-friendly vision.
Tom Gleadow has worked with
Fred Sullivan
(along with Sam Babbitt and Tony Estella) at the Gamm Theatre in
Pawtucket, RI. In this production Gleadow plays many roles
including the exuberant Mr. Fezziwig. The melding of Gamm actors
with Trinity actors by Sullivan works beautifully, altering just
slightly, the Company.
Sullivan toys with the ending of A
Christmas Carol, which may not fly with purists. However, the
tidy ending plays well in this child-friendly production.
Adult ticket prices for A Christmas Carol
are $25-$60, with best prices available for post-Christmas shows.
Trinity offers a limited number of last-row, bench seats for $10 each.Tickets
can be purchased at the Theater's Box office at 201 Washington St.,
Providence, RI. Box office hours are 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., 7
days a week. Tickets are also available by phone at 401-351-4242,
or on line at www.trinityrep.com.
