On Theater: A holiday tradition for 37 years and counting
Regarding South Coast Repertory’s annual presentation of “A Christmas Carol,” now in its 37th incarnation, three constants emerge. For each of those years, Hal Landon Jr. has played Scrooge, John-David Keller has directed and yours truly has reviewed the show.
Those traditions continue as Charles Dickens’ classic — adapted for the stage by SCR’s Jerry Patch in 1980 — once more entertains local playgoers who wouldn’t commence their holiday seasons any other way. To miss it would be like forgoing the airing of “A Christmas Story” on TV.
Subtle differences emerge with each new “Christmas Carol.” This year the sound effects seem louder and clearer, some dramatic pauses have been added in the dialogue and a few cast changes are evident in the supporting ranks.
At the core of the show is Landon’s surly Scrooge, whose mood takes a 180-degree turn thanks to the visits of his dead partner and three Christmas ghosts. Landon revels both in the miserly and munificent aspects of his character’s personality, offering a stark contrast between the first and final times we experience him. And yes, he still can perform the hat-donning somersault that never fails to generate applause.
Daniel Blinkoff is in his 14th year as Scrooge’s put-upon clerk, Bob Cratchit, a role that John Ellington filled for so many seasons, and he grows stronger and more assured each time. Jennifer Parsons continues her low-key luminescence as his wife in this, her 12th production, while another SCR founder, Art Koustik, chalks up his 24th year as the garrulous cider salesman and stolen goods merchant.
The most visible — or audible — change in the show comes with Larry Bates’ roaring-mad interpretation of the ghost of Jacob Marley, almost an evangelistic approach to this moral compass of a role. William Francis McGuire again impresses as Scrooge’s happy and secure nephew Fred, with Ann Marie Lee particularly charming as his wife.
Richard Doyle, like Landon a founding SCR actor, glides through the role of the spirit of Christmas past for the 31st time. The spirit of Christmas present is once again in the splendidly creative hands of Timothy Landfield.
Director Keller solidly scores in his double identity of a charity solicitor and the ebullient employer of Scrooge as a young man. Joining him this year, replacing his longtime stage spouse Karen Hensel, is the vivacious Kimberly Scott.
Young love is displayed tentatively by Alex Knox and Erika Schindele as a teen-age Scrooge and his romantic interest, both quite effective. Rosney Maugere shows comparative maturity as the young, ambitious Marley.
The technical wizardry of Thomas Buderwitz (set design), Dwight Richard Odle (costumes) and Donna and Tom Ruzika (lighting) are once again with us, the latter trio having been on board for the full 37-year ride. Drew Dalzell’s emphatic sound design also is impressive, though it may rattle younger playgoers.
It wouldn’t be Christmastime locally without “A Christmas Carol,” and it wouldn’t be “A Christmas Carol” without Hal Landon Jr. bringing audiences to their feet at each performance. A loud “wassail” to this excellent production.
*
IF YOU GO
What: “A Christmas Carol”
Where: South Coast Repertory’s Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
When: Now through Dec. 24 at varying curtain times
Cost: $23 to $28
Information: (714) 708-5555
