THEATER REVIEWS : In Dickens Ledger, ‘Scrooge’ Has Debits, Credits

YORBA LINDA — There are so many adaptations of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” today, including ones with Muppets and Mickey Mouse, that a purist has no choice but to accept the changes by writers who think they can do the job better than the original author.

But let your rewrites be consistent. Leslie Bricusse’s musical version of “Scrooge,” by Yorba Linda Civic Light Opera, correctly has Christmas Present (a fine, robust Pat Ikerd) answer Scrooge’s question about the spirit’s family by explaining that he has 1,854 brothers. Yet one of them in this production is played by a woman.

Ignoring Dickens’ explicit description of Christmas Past as a muscular young man with very long white hair, Michelle Darrah plays the role delightfully with a tinkling voice and feather-light movement. She’s one of the bright holiday lights in the production.

Although hampered by Bricusse’s rather dull score, which at moments seems as though it’s trying to be by Lionel Bart, director Tim Kashani’s staging is vigorous and pulls the heartstrings at all the right moments. Joshua Carr’s musical direction almost brings a few of the tunes to life, but sometimes vocal shyness in the singers defeats him.

The moment when all the ingredients come together is in the show’s best number, “The Beautiful Day,” conducted with great heart and sung impeccably and assuredly by John Haworth, one of the most effective Tiny Tims we’ve seen in a long time.

*

The fine Scrooge of Chris Sands is kinetic and has a slight sense of sensitivity beneath a crusty exterior that works just fine. He also dances and sings with energy and aplomb.

Marty Silva’s Bob Cratchit has the proper obstinate cheerfulness and optimism, and Ron Lipp’s soup peddler Tom Jenkins is Dickensian enough for a dozen rewritten “Carols.” Lipp’s powerful voice and understanding of the period look and vocal feel of his “Thank You Very Much” is one of the highlights of the staging.

Kashani’s use of Kabuki-like Coachmen in black tricorns and Inverness coats is very effective and gives the production style, which, sadly, some of the supporting cast is not able to do.

* “Scrooge,” Forum Theatre, 4175 Fairmont Blvd., Yorba Linda. Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Ends Dec. 18. $14. (714) 779-1932. Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes.

Chris Sands: Ebenezer Scrooge

Marty Silva: Bob Cratchit

John Haworth: Tiny Tim

Ron Lipp: Tom Jenkins

Michelle Darrah: Christmas Past

Pat Ikerd: Christmas Present

A Yorba Linda Civic Light Opera production of Leslie Bricusse’s adaptation of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” produced by Virginia DeLand. Directed by Tim Kashani. Musical direction: Joshua Carr. Choreography: Joshua Ekland. Lighting design: Edward Huber. Costume design: Nancy Dock. Stage manager: Silissa Smith.