TBA Theatre's A Christmas Carol

Posted by arlitia

Posted: December 17, 2008 - 7:07 am

Last weekend I told my nephews I was taking them to a play about Christmas and ghosts. Scary ghosts? they asked. Only scary if your heart is hardened against Christmas, I told them.

A show about Christmas and ghosts. They were hooked. My nephews, who are seven and nine had never seen A Christmas Carol before. Bah Humbug, Christmas ghosts and the good family Cratchit were all new to them. TBA Theatre gave them an introduction to Dickens' timeless tale they will not forget.

In a production that has so many fine points, let's be clear: for my nephews, it's all about the ghosts. TBA knows how to do ghosts. It's never a small moment when one enters the stage. The mists of the other world roil, the bell tolls and Scrooge cringes before the spectre of the hour.

The chain-laden Ghost of Marley, played by Frank Delaney, starts the procession of the evening’s spirits. Delaney gives a great perfomance as a soul in anguish because of his actions in life, contrasting well to Olivia Route’s light and compassionate Ghost of Christmas Past. John Fraser, as the Ghost of Christmas Present fills the entire hall with his mirth and energy. And David Fink as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is a commanding and chilling physcial presence on stage. He's also my nephews' favorite haunt.

Wayne Mitchell, who also adapted the script for this production, turns in a well-rounded performance as Scrooge. Mitchell plays Scrooge with subtlety and true emotion and does not give into the temptation to make him a bellowing old curmudgeon that nobody even cares about. The beauty of Dickens' tale for me, has always been that Scrooge is allowed to make a choice. Mitchell's Scrooge wrestles with that choice. He is not stock or cartoon. We're rooting for him to rejoin life.

Some other highlights for me, in a show that has too many to list here, included the Victorian carolers, led by Elle Janecek Delaney. Nobody really knows all the words to "Twelve Days of Christmas" but they sure have fun singing it. Heather Sawyer and Kimberly Duncan sing "Silent Night" as beautifully as I've ever heard.

TBA also knows how to use the "mob," and not since the Pigaloo days has Grant Hall seen such a spirited band of kids as the street urchins that take over the stage from time to time. Paul Bryner as Old Joe gives us a look at another fascinating character in his wide repetoire of fascinating characters he brings to the Anchorage stage. Leif Sawyer as Bob Cratchit is adoring of his kids and wife, and Dana Mitchell as Mrs. Cratchit is the enduring and loving mother, who also makes her own choice to toast Scrooge rather than hold bitterness in her heart.

My absolute favorite moment of the evening is when Mr. and Mrs Fezziwig, played by Shane Mitchell and Erin Dagon Mitchell, rush on stage, arms open to greet their party guests in Scrooge's Christmas Past. For me, this production isn't about the ghosts. It's about the Fezziwigs. Therein lies the true spirit of the whole endeavor. Whatever darkness is swirling around us, ghosts of Christmas, job layoffs, economic hardship, Fezziwig's home is full and light and cheer and love and we are invited to join them.

Also of note is the elegant set designed by Wayne Mitchell that gives the actors a very workable Victorian London. Frank Hardy's lighting is wintery, beautiful and stark as needed. And the costumes dazzle, scene after scene giving the eye something to revel in.

The production boasts 62 members for cast and crew, large even by TBA standards. What is most evident among this small army of theatre talents is the joy and commitment each actor, caroler, set builder, costume maker, ticket taker, etc, brings to this holiday tradition.

"What's a bah humbug?" my nephews wanted to know, as we walked out to the car. In the end, the ghosts weren't that scary because of course their children's hearts are wide open to Christmas. The play's moral was not lost on them. They know exactly what Scrooge was missing.

A Christmas Carol plays through this weekend at APU's Grant Hall. Show times are 7pm Friday and Saturday and 3pm Saturday and Sunday. Don't miss it. You'll put a smile on old Fezziwig's face.

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