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'A Christmas Carol' back at Theatre Three
A great treat for the whole family, show runs in Port Jefferson through Dec. 27
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| | | Kelsey Cheslock as Belle and Jeffrey Sanzel as Scrooge dance in Theatre Three’s production of ‘A Christmas Carol.’ Courtesy Theatre Three (click for larger version) | |
November 19, 2009 | 01:28 PM
It's beginning to look a lot like "A Christmas Carol," adapted and directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, is off to a great start for Theatre Three's 26th presentation of the Dickens classic. The magnificent set design by Randall Parsons was rich in detail and texture and formed an authentic backdrop, transporting the audience back in time to the latter part of the 19th century. The set transitioned from scene to scene seamlessly with hinged movements transforming from the cobblestone streets to Scrooge's place of business to his bedroom to the festive home of the Halliwells.
"A Christmas Carol" is the story of the misanthropic Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Sanzel, a greedy unyielding businessman who has lost his soul to the almighty guinea. On Christmas Eve he is visited by three spirits, the Ghost of Christmas Past, played by Maryellen Molfetta; the Ghost of Christmas Present, played by Debbie Starker, who is eccentric and merciless as she humorlessly mocks the impatient Ebenezer; and the dauntingly ominous Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, portrayed by company member Morgan Howard Rumble. Rumble also offers a wonderful performance as Scrooge's nephew, Fred Halliwell. After being shown what his past, present and future look like, Scrooge finds his soul and turns his life around.
What makes this show so special is Sanzel's ability to maintain the integrity of the message (Scrooge's ultimate redemption) while making subtle changes each season to keep it interesting.
One cannot begin to talk performance without the obvious mention of Sanzel who brilliantly embodies the character of Scrooge year after year — this year being his 21st season doing so. The range of emotions Sanzel brings to the role exemplifies the many facets of Scrooge which is what makes this presentation all the more fascinating. The audience is brought on the journey of Scrooge's early days where there was humility, love and celebration in his heart to the disdain, outrage and audacity exhibited in the man Scrooge has become, making his ultimate transformation a full-circle journey.
The Cratchit family is particularly endearing, played by some old favorites like Douglas J. Quattrock as the gentle Bob Cratchit, and Megan Bush, Jimmie Kimmel and Caroline D'Angelo as the Cratchit children. New to the role of Mrs. Cratchit, Sophie Vanier played a very touching mother to the struggling Cratchits while doubling as the nasty school matron of Wellington, the contrast of which was well executed. Tiny Tim was delightfully played by Jace Simoes Rodrigues making his main stage debut. The Cratchit family chemistry is believable and touching.
Returning to the role of Belle and third seeker is company member Kelsey Cheslock, who had a strong stage presence bringing more dimension to the role than in the past. Returning to the main stage for his ninth season of "A Christmas Carol" and new to the roles of Jacob Marley (Scrooge's business partner) and the Poulterer is Ray Gobes Jr. Gobes is very effective in showing not only the range of Marley before and after the grave but as the Poulterer, a confused but delightful character who meets up with the reformed Scrooge on Christmas morning.
Also returning to the main stage but new to the role of Mrs. Fezziwig and Mrs. Dilber is Camile Arnone, who plays off the mischievous Mr. Fezziwig, played by George Liberman, and Scrooge with much-needed comic relief.
Artistically speaking the new costume designs, created by Randall Parsons and Bonnie Vidal gave a fresh crispness to the show offering true Dickensian style with beautiful muted Victorian tones. Tying the show up in an emotionally charged dramatic package were the sound effects, created by Ellen Michelmore which ranged from the very pleasant sounds of spirits (Christmas Past and Present) arriving and departing to the ominous dissonant sounds of the daunting Christmas Future and the chains of Jacob Marley speaking from the grave. Additional favorites are the amplification of spirit voices and Marley which accentuate pleasantry or fear. The comforting clip-clopping of horses' hooves on the cobblestone and the thunderous booms of evil were on hand, which added to the overall experience.
Each year the public shows begin with the cast singing traditional holiday music in the lobby, which serves to ready the audience for the holiday tale. It is a time of year where many of the Theatre Three family return to the experience of the 53-performance run while many new faces join the family. It is the weaving of old and new which creates a recipe for good theater. In the midst of those returning and those who are new to the experience is a heartwarming story of 9-year-old Zoe Kahnis who beautifully plays the child on Christmas morning. Making her main stage debut, the fourth-grader is following in her Aunt Casey's footsteps who played the same role in 1998 when she was the same age and grade that Zoe is now.
At the conclusion of the show is the hysterical presentation of "'The Fifteen-Minute Christmas Carol,' With Apologies to Mr. Dickens," written by Jeffrey Sanzel and performed by Cheslock, Molfetta, Quattrock, Rumble, Sanzel and Evan Teich. This special bonus portion of the show recaps "A Christmas Carol" in an abbreviated comical form which sends the audience off with a laugh.
This will be the last year that this will be performed. This special segment of the show is offered at all evening performances.
It should be noted that all of the children's roles are double-cast and alternately performed throughout the season. The children are spectacular in their respective roles.
Whether you are seeing "A Christmas Carol" for the first time or the 26th time, you can count on the strengths of the production elements, the cast and the message for a full live-theater experience. Each year there is something new to enjoy, while maintaining the idea that if there is hope for someone like Ebenezer Scrooge, then there is hope for anyone to transform and redeem a dark soul. This production is timeless, classic and a must-see. It will run through Dec. 27.
Theatre Three is located at 412 Main St. in Port Jefferson. For information and tickets, call the Theatre Three box office at 928-9100 or go to the website www.theatrethree.com.
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