BWW Reviews: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company - A Baltimore Version Circa 1843

It was 1842 and famed British writer Charles Dickens was staying in Baltimore's Barnum City Hotel at the corner of Calvert and Fayette Street. Who would have imagined in 2014, Dickens' masterful A CHRISTMAS CAROL would be playing a block down the street at the newly refurbished Mercantile Bank and Trust Company (built in 1886 and survivor of the great Baltimore Fire) which has been reincarnated as the beautiful Chesapeake Shakespeare Company?

Who'd have thunk it!! Well, Artistic Director Ian Gallanar did and he went so far to write an original adaptation of the Dickens' novel and moves Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley and the others to 202 E. Garrison Street in Baltimore (the original address of the bank). Gallanar has so successfully written this clever transition to Baltimore, look for his A CHRISTMAS CAROL to start a "new" Baltimore tradition during the holiday season. Galliner commented "...we placed the story in the Baltimore business district of the 19th century in honor of this magnificent building housing our theater, and this amazing city in which we perform. This is going to be a holiday celebration for the entire family, one that we hope will be treasured for years to come." Galliner need not worry. It will be treasured for years to come.

To get the audience in the mood, there is a pre-show Christmas medley that includes such classics as "Good King Wenceslas", "Go Tell it on the Mountain", and "White Christmas". As is typical of CSC productions there is lots of music thanks to Nicholas Delaney (guitar), Javier del Pilar (violin), James Jagar (ukulele, mandolin, and banjolele), Gerrad Alex Taylor (keyboard), Travis Hudson (guitar), and on percussionists Vince Eisenson, Kecia A. Campbell, and Noah Allen. There is also music during intermission and prior to Act II. Wait till you hear young Annabelle Fleming's rendition of "The Holly and the Ivy."

The music certainly puts one in the mood. The year is 1843 and the play opens in the offices of Scrooge and Marley. There's a nice set by Daniel O'Brien with a typical Baltimore row house look (who also did the Lighting and served as Technical Director), lovely costumes by Kristina Lambdin, good sound design by the Director, lovely choreography by Nellie K. Glover, and that great music under the direction of Scott Farquhar.

You'll hear local names throughout. Scrooge lives in Mt. Vernon while Bob Cratchit resides in Fells Point (it was cheaper then.)

There is a cast of thousands...no, but it just seems that way, led by the terrific Gregory Burgess as Scrooge who milks the part. He is some talent. Other standouts are Daniel Flint (Ghost of Christmas present), the outgoing Fezziwig (Tim R. Bintrim) and his wife (played my Managing Director Lesley Malin), James Jager as Scrooge's nephew, and I adored Michael P. Sullivan's take as Bob Cratchit.

It is hard not to notice how terrific it is to have such a multi-racial cast.

Be warned if you take the young ones, that there are a lot of surprises and a lot of smoke. But it truly is great fun.

I predict that this version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL will be an annual event. Bring the family, sit back, and enjoy.

Next up at CSC is UNCLE VANYA running Feb. 13, 2015 to March 1, 2015.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL runs to Dec. 23, 2014. For tickets, call 410-244-8570 or visit www.ChesapeakeShakespeare.com.

Photos by Teresa Castracane

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com