A Christmas Carol
Adapted by Joseph Hanreddy, Edward Morgan
Directed by Aaron Posner
The Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells (map)
thru Dec 24 | tickets: $15-$70 | more info
Delightful new twists add to the magic of this holiday classic
Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents
A Christmas Carol
Review by Harry Cherkinian
Who among us today does not know of the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his timeless Christmastime story of spiritual transformation and earthly redemption? Charles Dickens originally wrote the idea as a novella 169 years ago this very Christmas season. Today, the story is played out on countless stages worldwide and in Milwaukee, A Christmas Carol celebrates it 37th production at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
Chief among the changes is a “new Scrooge” for Milwaukee audiences in the wide eyed, animated form of actor Christopher Donahue. Watching A Christmas Carol is like watching a favorite movie for the umpteenth time. We know what’s going to happen; we anticipate it and then wait to see how it plays out, somehow finding something new in the known storyline.
Donahue does just that with the pre and post Scrooge. His stern, emotionally gnarled form is already apparent before he utters one word including that, you know, classic phrase. As the introductory music plays and Scrooge strides into his threadbare office, he turns and offers an especially mean glare at the ever faithful Bob Cratchit (charmingly played by Milwaukeean Jonathan Wainwright). As Cratchit moves to take his coat, Donahue impatiently shrugs his shoulders for Cratchit to move it. You know we’re in for a new type of “bumpy ride” with Donahue’s Scrooge and it’s a fascinating roller coaster of emotions that we’re veering on throughout the two hours.
Scrooge obviously is central to this story. But Posner has stripped away some of the nonessential trappings of past set designs and sets his sights on expanding the full range of emotions contained within this yuletide offering. Donahue fully engages Scrooge as a gruff yet vulnerable being, and his transformation from years of painful isolation to the reawakening of childlike wonder makes him all the more human—and believable. The wide eyed expressions at past joys, the boundless energy to join in on parlor games and the genuine sorrow at tragedy resonate like church bells on a clear, cold winter’s eve. Even Donahue’s harrumph of a “Bah! Humbug!”” is more of a tossed off, clearing of the throat second thought than emphasized disgust.
Yet, there’s so much to see, hear and delight in with this production.
Be forewarned: Dickensian purists will be gyrating madly in their dead-as-a-doornail afterlives with some of the multi culturally diverse casting. But this is a three dimensional Scrooge in a 21st Century production that still espouses the mid 19th Century Victorian English holiday traditions. The Ghost of Christmas Present is a sassy talkin’ African American female and Melody Betts strikes a perfect chord, bringing an exuberance and freshness to the role rarely seen. Betts is a lightning bolt of energy that gets the message across without pandering and stooping to modern day anachronisms.
The multi faceted African American Milwaukee actress Marti Gobel plays Mrs. Cratchit (two of Gobel’s own children are part of the Cratchit brood) and the image of the mixed race family (a Caucasian Bob Cratchit) resonates with today’s audiences while still respecting the time period.
A talented ensemble rounds out the cast with some nice change ups: Milwaukee actress Angela Iannone playing a female Miss Twyce (well done! well done!) as well as various male roles; Gerard Neugent as a calm, scheming young Marley to the grizzled rag picker Old Joe. The children’s cast delights. The music beautifully accompanies the adaptation.
And by show’s end, we are once again reminded that there’s no show quite like A Christmas Carol that so wondrously illustrates what the season of giving is all about, for generations to come.
Rating: ★★★★
A Christmas Carol continues through December 24th at the Quadracci Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells (map). Tickets are $15-$70, and are available by phone (414-224-9490) or online through their website (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at MilwaukeeRep.com . (Running time: 2 hours, includes an intermission)
Photos by Michael Brosilow
artists
adult cast
Melody Betts (Ghost of Christmas Present); Christopher Donahue (Ebenezer Scrooge); Renata Friedman (Mrs. Dilber, Ghost of Christmas Past, Lucy); Marti Gobel (Mrs. Cratchit, Mrs. Sidebottom); Erik Hellman (Young Scrooge, Barnaby); Angela Iannone (Miss Twyce, Mrs. Fezziwig, Mr. Mudd, Businessman); Gerard Neugent (Reverend Waghorn, Marley, Old Joe); Alexander Pawlowski (Mr. Grimgrind, Mr. Topper); Melisa Pereyra (Belle, Madeline); Jonathan Smoots (Mr. Philpot, Mr. Fezziwig, Mr. Scadger, Businessman); Luigi Sottile (Fred, Mr. Oatway); Emily Trask (Catherine, Mrs. Oatway, Cook); Jonathan Wainwright (Bob Cratchit, Mr. Sidebottom).
child actors
Anastasia Brasser-Vos (Fan); Luke Brotherhood (Percy Smudge); Karly Francis (Forgiveness); Zoe Francis (Remembrance); Morgan Gamblin (Martha Cratchit); Freedom Gobel (Belinda Cratchit); Jamaica Gobel (Peter Cratchit); Megan Haupt (Mary Cratchit); Seth Horne (Boy Scrooge); Kate Ketelhohn, Jack Trettin (Tiny Tim); Claire Zempel (Alice Cratchit); Alyssa Sachs (Want); Kendal Briscoe, Elliot Brotherhood, John Brotherhood, Kemet Gobel, Casey Kitzman,Gabe Smith, Nya (Ensemble) Sophie Kobylinski, Leah Schiman, Kaitlyn Serketich (Intern Ensemble);
behind the scenes
Aaron Posner (Director ); Joseph Hanreddy, Edward Morgan (Adapters); Marjorie Bradley Kellogg (Scenic Designer); Martha Hally (Costume Designer); Thomas Weaver (Lighting Designer); Barry G. Funderburg (Sound Designer); James Sugg (Music Director); John Tanner (Music Arranger); Michael Pink (Choreographer); Jill Walmsley Zager (Dialect Coach); Sandy Ernst (Casting Director); Jessica Ventura (Assistant Casting Director); Erin Weaver (Children’s Director); Lara Leigh Dalbey (Makeup, Hair, Wig Designer); Briana J. Fahey (Stage Manager); Jason Simpson (Assistant Stage Manager); Marissa Robinson (Children’s Stage Manager); Maddy Ernst (Assistant Children’s Stage Manager); Maggie Ellsworth (Assistant Director); Michael Brosilow (photos)
12-12m1
