MARK AUERBACH
HARTFORD – “Since its Hartford Stage debut in 1998, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas” has become a Hartford holiday tradition, beloved by critics and audiences alike. Thankfully, Hartford Stage has wisely chosen to keep the production fresh, with new and enhanced sets, costumes, and dazzling special effects. I last saw “A Christmas Carol” in Hartford about 15 years ago, and this season’s production is a holiday feast for the eyes and the ears.
Michael Wilson’s adaptation stays true to Dickens’ novel, and Maxwell Williams’ staging, patterned after Wilson’s, has a quick pace, as it tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a workaholic miser with no feelings (played wonderfully by Bill Raymond, who has been Hartford’s Scrooge for fifteen years). On Christmas Eve, he’s visited by the ghost of his former work partner, Jacob Marley (Noble Shropshire, formerly with StageWest’s resident company) and the Spirits of Christmas Past (Johanna Morrison), Christmas Present (Alan Rust, who has performed in all of Hartford Stage’s previous productions of “A Christmas Carol”), and Christmas Future. Scrooge has a change of heart, and seasons the holiday with goodwill towards men. Along the way, we get a glimpse of Scrooge the younger, his employee’s family (The Cratchits), and the vendors he has tormented.
Williams directs a large cast of professional actors, students from the Hartt School, and some very talented young actors from area schools. John Gromada’s music score, which entwines period holiday classics with evocative sound effects and Hope Clarke’s choreography add to the mix. Tony Straiges unit set, brilliantly lit by Robert Wierzel, sparkles, especially in the scene where the Spirit of Christmas Present arrives. Alejo Vietti, the costume designer who made Goodspeed’s “Holiday Inn” so spectacular, has enhanced the original costumes by Zack Brown. They’re appropriately period, and clever–make note of the costumes for the dancer ghosts, which indicate how each one died.
Noble Shropshire and Bill Raymond in “A Christmas Carol” at Hartford Stage. (Photo by T. Charles Erickson)
Kudos to ZFX INC, who designed and executed the flying effects. They are mind-blowing, by the way, especially when Jacob Marley’s Ghost defies gravity as he soars from a trap door to the to the top of Scrooge’s bed to the rafters in an aerial ballet .
I’d always wanted to see Bill Raymond’s “Scrooge”, which is an annual “must” for many theatre-goers; it’s a polished and well-nuanced performance worth travelling to see. I was impressed by Noble Shropshire’s dual performances as Jacob Marley and Scrooge’s housekeeper, Mrs. Dillard. Also wonderful in duel roles are Johanna Morrison as a doll vendor and the Spirit of Christmas Past; and Alan Rust as a cider vendor and the Spirit of Christmas Present.
If you’ve never seen “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas”, it’s a powerful story with a message we could all stand to hear more than once a year. It’s a great show for older kids, too (there are plenty of matinees throughout the run). On December 18, Hartford Stage presents a Family Fun Night, where kids can meet the cast following the performance.
Hartford Stage presents “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas” by Charles Dickens. Adapted and originally directed by Michael Wilson. Directed by Maxwell Williams. Music direction by Ken Clark. Choreography by Hope Clarke. Scenic design by Tony Straiges. Costume design by Alejo Vietti after Zack Brown. Lighting design by Robert Wierzel. Music and sound design by John Gromada. Running Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes with intermission. Through December 28. Hartford Stage, 50 Church Street, Hartford, CT. For tickets: 860-527-5151 or www.hartfordstage.org.
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio.
