Thursday, December 12, 2019

“Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol” through Dec. 29,2019 at Shakespeare Theatre of N.J.

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Ames Adamson and Company 
Credits: Joe Guerin


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.          

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