It is a treat to see Neil Bartlett’s
inventive but purposefully faithful stage adaptation of “Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol” in this
return visit after almost a decade to the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.
Except for the strange action of having the old geezer Scrooge light up his
bedroom by screwing in an electric bulb (not yet invented during the time of
the story in 1843), everything about this audacious and yet also scary
production is sheer bliss.
I’m inclined to forgive the light
bulb’s inexplicable presence in light of all the amusing props and clever bits
of business that add wonder to the many song-filled tableaus that help to propel
the familiar story. Under the richly detailed direction of Brian B. Crowe, this
play version is derived entirely from the original novella and uses nothing but
Dickens’ text, often in humorous ways that are meant to delight, and it does. Seen
by us but not by the play’s characters, a meandering chorus moves about in and
out of scenes providing specific sound effects as animated inanimate objects, as
in the ticking of a clock, (won’t be a spoiler and disclose more.)
Primarily a story of how the aging, mean-spirited
skinflint Scrooge (Ames Adamson) is given a new lease on life after being
visited by the ghost of his former friend and partner Jacob Marley (Lindsay
Smiling) and the three spirits he summons to show Scrooge what terrible fate
awaits him in the afterlife if he doesn’t mend his ways. Be prepared to shudder
a little when the chillingly realized Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas
Present. and Christmas Yet To Come give Scrooge exactly the kind of shake-up he
needs. By morning Scrooge is a changed man and we are as happy and as grateful as
he is.
But happiness comes only after we
have shared the sorrow that befalls Bob Cratchit (Clark Scott Carmichael) and his
poor but loving family when they have to face the death of their fragile, physically
challenged son Tiny Tim (Quenton McCuiston.)
The thing that makes this production
so special is how we are made to feel not only the sorrows caused by the
mean-spirited Scrooge living a misguided life but share in his dismay and
horror as he sees himself as he once was as a young boy (Billy Wyatt) and as a young
man in love (Garrett Lawson).
STNJ veteran Ames Adamson is more
than just splendid as Scrooge but gives us an insight into Scrooge with a performance
that is rife with impassioned conflicts. Terrific performances are the rule in
this cast that features many of STNJ’s seasoned regulars.
The transitions in time and place
are wonderfully executed as we are whisked from the streets of London to Scrooges’
stark office, to his gloomy bedroom on to the Fezziwigs’ home and their grand Christmas
party. Best of all are Scrooge’s truly nightmarish journeys through time.
The mobile settings designed by Dick
Block, eerie sound design by Steven L. Beckel, stunning lighting designed by Andrew
Hungerford and the eye-filling period-perfect costumes designed by Summer Lee
Jack are as impressive in their artfulness as in any production of this oft
seen story I have seen. If there is one performance that stands out or rather
sits it out it is given by the prize turkey...perhaps more animated than any
turkey has a right to be heading for the roaster.
This is one version of the Dickens
classic that will not only haunt you by design but designed to bring you a feeling
of joy. It succeeds admirably.
Performances continue through Dec. 29 at The Shakespeare Theatre of New
Jersey, located on the campus of Drew University in Madison. For
tickets, call 973-408-5600 or visit ShakespeareNJ.org.
