Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol

From: "will stackman" profwlll@yahoo.com

Subject: Quicktake - "Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol"" adapted by Rick Lombardo

Date: Thur, Dec 14, 10:40 PM

Quicktake on CHARLES DICKENS' CHRISTMAS CAROL

     'Tis the season, and Scrooge, played by Paul Falwell, is back on stage for the second year at the Arsenal Center for the Arts. Rick Lombardo's adaptation holds up quite well to a second viewing with its combination of professional actors and children's theatre kids, all singing to move the show along, and in the current fashion, providing their own accompaniment. Anna Lackaff's arrangements of the music chosen suit the performers, including the beginners among the kids.

     A number of current productions have a single narrator, often a grown up version of Tiny Tim, though Bob Cratchit and even Ebenezer himself have had their say. Lombardo's version uses successive narration in a story theatre style, emphasizing the author's words and moral indignation. Most of the cast from last year's premiere have returned, starting with Steven Barkhimer whose main role is The Ghost of Christmas Present. Brett Cramp is once again a gangly Cratchit, heartbreaking in a scene singing to his dead little one, while a monstrous puppet of Christmas Future looms over his family. Christmas Past is again a very fey Ilyse Robbins, the show's choreographer. Boscon opera grad Dawn Tucker has replaced Leigh Barrett as Mrs. Cratchit, since the latter is performing in Reagle's suburban holiday extravaganza this year. Opera singer Patrice Tiedman provides another soaring voice in the chorus and plays Mrs. Fezziwig. Returning men include a very ghostly Peter Edmund Haydu as Jacob Marley, Eric Hamel notable as Topper the perennial bachelor, and Terrence O'Malley as oratorical Fred, Scrooge's nephew. Cristi Miles is back as Belle among other roles, while Will Keary returns as Young Scrooge. And Tiny Tim this year is Spencer Evett, the third generation of that clan on the Boston stage.
    This production may start to grow in successive years; Peter Colao's rough hewn set is very flexible and John Malinowski's lighting provides considerable variety and effects. There are room for a few more street urchins and characters, though the concept of a group of performers telling Dickens' immortal tale is very well executed as is. The New Rep is providing an alternative however. Starting Dec. 21, local favorite John Kuntz is reviving David Sedaris' "Santaland Diaries" in the Art Center's intimate Black Box through the 31st. Seating needless to say is limited.

---

"Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol"" adapted by Rick Lombardo, Dec. 10 - 24

New Rep & Watertown Children's Theatre at Arsenal Center for the Arts

Watertown MA, (617) 923 - 8487
New Repertory Theatre