Review: Trinity Rep's A Christmas Carol

Before this year, I had never seen Trinity Rep's A Christmas Carol.  I had heard (from people whose opinion I value) that it was good, but I didn't need to rush to see it because it never, really, changed.  If I didn't see it one year, I could always catch it the next.  If you have waited to see it, this is your year.  See it.

The story is the same.  Artistic Director Curt Columbus started with the same script and songs that were used 30 years ago. Columbus changed the songs around here and there and tweaked the dialogue just a bit.  The production doesn't use its energy to make sure that we know that Ebenezer Scrooge is the most miserly man or that Bob Cratchit is the most honorable and Tiny Tim is the most innocent.  Most of the audience knows the characters completely before they enter the theater.  The production uses it energy on the visuals, the special effects, the "wow" factor and it works.

There are two adult casts for this production of A Christmas Carol, and four casts of children.  This review is of the opening night cast.

William Damkoehler is Scrooge.  He embodies Scrooge without stepping into caricature.  In this production the caricature was done by a life-size puppet that shadows Scrooge, standing behind a podium counting his money.  One movement, rhythmically done. Over and over again.

As Bob Crachit, Fred Sullivan reveals an optimistic, boisterous side of the character.  Almost universally played as a milquetoast, Sullivan's Cratchit can barely be contained.  Sullivan's presentation of Cratchit is a welcome change in perspective and entirely enjoyable.

Cynthia Strickland has triple duty as she plays Mrs. Partlet, The Ghost of Christmas Past, and the Mother-in-Law.  Strickland's Mrs. Partlet is laugh out loud funny.  Ms. Strickland takes, what could be a throw-away role, and plays it for all its worth.  

As the Ghost of Christmas past Stephen Thorne brings the same intensity that he brings to all his work at Trinity.  As presented, the character is scary. The character should be scary and is.

As a matter of course, Trinity has shied away from the "spectacle" that is present today in much of theater, to focus on acting, and scene and character development.  This tendency has served the Company well.  On this occasion, Columbus, obviously, decided to bring some "spectacle" to the production and I believe it works.

Puppetry, slight of hand, "oh, wow" entrances for the Ghosts, and clever use of projection give the production an, almost, Wizard of Oz feel.  Over all, there is an air of whimsy.  As the Reader, Janice Duclos, continues the whimsy throughout the entire production.  

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol adapted by Adrian Hall and Richard Cumming at Trinity Repertory Company runs through December 31st.  

The production is directed by Curt Columbus, with original music by Richard Cumming, Musical Direction by Christine Noel, Production Set and Puppetry design by Blair Thomas, Costume Design by William Lane, Lighting Design by Brian J. Lilienthal, Sound design by Peter Sasha Hurowitz, Set Design by Philip Creech, Set Decoration by S. Michael Getz, Production Stage Managed by Lloyd Davis, Jr., Stage Managed by Michael D. Domue.

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