New Touches Embellish Enchanting “A Christmas Carol” Musical Now at Sierra Madre Playhouse
By Fran Syverson
Published: Thursday, December 2nd, 2010
By Fran Syverson
It’s Christmastime from the moment you enter the Sierra Madre Playhouse. Carolers outside the Playhouse fill the air with familiar tunes. Garlands festoon the foyer, a faux living room corner graces the hall, and 1800-ish décor takes us back to an earlier era. ’Twas that era in which Charles Dickens lived and wrote what he called his “little Christmas book.” The book, of course, has survived these many generations, and never fails to evoke the Christmas spirit when we see it come to life on the stage.
And come to life it does, in this year’s musical version of “A Christmas Carol.” Infusing the classic tale with a fresh edginess, director Christina Harris offers us a more sympathetic look at old Ebenezer Scrooge. His name has become synonymous with penuriousness. However, as we see some of the rejection and loneliness in young Ebenezer’s life, we may understand why he became the iconic “bah-humbug” man.
But first we find Scrooge toiling at his desk and begrudging Bob Cratchit another coal in the stove to warm their office. Stuart James Galbraith brings his native accent to the role of Scrooge. And he carries well the mantle of Scrooge through his emotional ranges—from abrasive to frightened to pensive to ebullient, as he goes through the night with the ominous spirits who visit him.
Each Christmas Spirit is eerie in its own way, and the accompanying music is a real mood-setter. Toni Smith is ghostly in a white gown with light-bulb auras as Christmas Past. Ron Schneider as Christmas Present wears a holly crown and a portentous green robe ample enough to hide the traditional two little imps beneath its folds. Matthew Herrmann is unrelenting as he reveals to Scrooge what may lie in his Christmas Future.
Poor Bob Cratchit! Karl Maschek has the perfect deferential mien to portray him as the clerk. He also lights the room with his warm smile when he is with his loving wife (Sarah Logan) and his flock of children, including everyone’s favorite, Tiny Tim. The youngster is played by Cody James Brown and Mark Challita on varying performances.
Seth Margolies as a rollicking Fezziwig and his wife (Kady Douglas) bounce and bubble their way through a merry party entertaining friends. (On opening night, Christina Harris played Mrs. Fezziwig, along with her other duties as director, choreographer, and sound designer.)
The cast comprises nearly three dozen people, and many of them play two or three characters. Moreover, some parts are played by different actors on different nights. Each is credited in the handsome program printed on softly colored holiday-themed paper. Even with program in hand, it isn’t easy to identify cast members. But that doesn’t keep the story from rolling on, and we all are familiar with it, so we can just sit back and enjoy it.
Musical interludes of song and dance are interspersed as scenes unfold, each melody chosen to complement the action. Rich Dembowski is music director. Michelina Wright as “violinist estraordinaire” offers special musical touches.
In addition to those mentioned elsewhere, the cast includes Allison Oliver, Annemarie Werthwein, Arianna Merkell, Clay Bunker, Erika Whalen, Georgia Miller, Grant Smith, Greta Storlie, Kari Irwin, Lindsey Beck, Matthew Bond, Meg Momsen, Paul Bond, Ranya Jaber, Sarah Gilman, Sean Peterson, Sophia Davis, Sophie Johnson, Steve Neumeier, Teddy Oldenbourg, Trey West, and Zayd Jaber.
Ward Calaway is producer of “A Christmas Carol.” Kristen Cox is assistant director and lighting designer. Don Bergmann and David Calhoun designed the Victorian set that adapts as both an indoor and outdoor background. Ashley Jo Navarro is sound tech and also stage manager, with Erika Cepeda as her assistant. Maureen Davis is light tech.
Liz Peterson as costume designer has provided (from Valentino’s Costumes) varied and appropriate garb for everyone, be they party-goers, townspeople, waifs, grave-robbers, or the Cratchit family.
Anne Marie Atwan, Linda DeMetrick, and Mike Dessin handle the properties. Poster art design is by Rick Taylor, and photography by Donald Songster. Daniel Peixe is the artist, and Philip Sokoloff the publicist. Roberto Merkell handles backstage crew tasks. And a good many of the actors themselves are credited in the program as the construction crew.
While “A Christmas Carol” is a charming play for families with children of all ages, it is also a delightful prelude to the holidays simply for people of all ages. For many, attending is a long-standing tradition.
“A Christmas Carol” will continue at the Sierra Madre Playhouse through Thursday, Dec. 23, with extra weekday performances. Friday dates are Dec. 3, 10, & 17, and Saturdays Dec. 4, 11, & 18, all at 8 p.m. Shows on Sundays Dec. 5, 12, & 19 are matinees at 2:30 p.m., and Dec. 12 & 19 evenings at 7 p.m. During the final week, special performances will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 21, 22, & 23 at 8 p.m. All seats are $23 for “A Christmas Carol” except for groups of 12 or more at $20.
The Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. City lots offer free parking. Pre- or post-theater dining at local restaurants on Baldwin Avenue and Sierra Madre Boulevard can enhance your theater-going experience. For ticket reservations or more information, phone (626) 355-4318, or visit the website, www.sierramadreplayhouse.org, for online ticketing.
SIDEBAR
In keeping with Scrooge’s generous holiday spirit after his reawakening, the Playhouse invites guests to bring unwrapped toys for their “Toys For Tots” collection, and non-perishable foods for donations to Foothill Unity’s outreach to needy families in the San Gabriel Valley.
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