Spirits of Christmas Past

The big problem with most adaptations of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is the adapter’s tendency to make improvements, as though Dickens’ 1843 short story didn’t do it well enough. South Coast Repertory’s Jerry Patch makes some improvements in his script for this long-running revival, but they don’t veer far from the original.

What does veer is director John-David Keller’s staging. As SCR’s production ages, it gets darker, which is all to the good. Subliminally it gets closer to the original.

The exception this year is Patrick Kerr’s Spirit of Christmas Present. His performance probably looked funny in rehearsal, but it’s so at odds with the rest of Keller’s staging, and so at odds with Dickens, that it seems Keller might have been busy doing something else when Kerr was finding his character. He plays the role like a stand-up comic, finishing with a balletic entrechat and a port de bras that might spark a “Saturday Night Live” sketch but only grates in this classic. The rest of the cast is close to the mark, though their accents range from American to mid-Atlantic with little concern for authenticity.

Hal Landon Jr.’s Scrooge has grown with the years, and there’s slight evidence that the role has become too easy. Only in the final moments, when Scrooge giggles at his discovery of his basic humanity, does Landon’s joy seem cut out of a pattern. His vicious snapping is perfect at the beginning, and his slow realization that memories can be fond is honest and sincere.

John Ellington’s Cratchit gets more detailed with the years, and he has moments of humor that ring even truer as Christmases pass. Richard Doyle’s Spirit of Christmas Past, costumed in the style of Scrooge’s childhood, has gotten wiser, more complacent, more rewarding.

*

Howard Shangraw is Scrooge’s nephew Fred, with a sparkling sense of humor that proves Dickens’ idea that good cheer can ease much pain. Hisa Takakuwa as his wife, Sally, is a period delight. Devon Raymond gives an intriguing fillip to Mrs. Cratchit, a strength that is sometimes missing in the role, a sense of independence that rounds out her character. Lanell Pena is effective as Scrooge’s abandoned love, Belle.

As Joe, the smarmy fence, and Mr. Fezziwig, Art Koustik has two of his best roles, and that goes for Martha McFarland, whose Mrs. Fezziwig is like Aunt Clara from “Bewitched,” her abrupt physical turns at each new thought getting deserved laughs.

McFarland, Pena and Takakuwa don’t shine as brightly in their turns as the three Hags selling bits and pieces of Scrooge’s belongings. Keller allows them to screech like Macbeth’s witches with a Hollywood version of cockney.

Jason Isaac Esquerra as the young Marley and Richard Soto as the young Scrooge give valid accounts of what they might have been like in a production that is close enough to Dickens to make his point and improved just enough to make it very good theater.

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* “A Christmas Carol,” South Coast Repertory Main Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and noon and 4 p.m. Sunday. Also 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22, noon and 4 p.m. Dec. 24 and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m Dec. 26-27. $19-$36. Ends Dec. 27. (714) 708-5555. Running time: 2 hours.

Hal Landon, Jr.: Ebenezer Scrooge

John Ellington: Bob Cratchit

Howard Shangraw: Fred

Richard Doyle: The Spirit of Christmas Past

Patrick Kerr: The Spirit of Christmas Present

Don Took: The Spirit of Christmas Yet to Be

Devon Raymond: Mrs. Cratchit

Hisa Takakuwa: Sally/Fred’s Wife/Hag

Art Koustik: Mr. Fezziwig/Joe

Martha McFarland: Mrs. Fezziwig/Hag

Lanell Pena: Hag

Richard Soto: Young Ebenezer

Jason Isaac Esquerra: Young Marley

A South Coast Repertory production of Jerry Patch’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic. Directed by John-David Keller. Scenic design: Cliff Faulkner. Lighting design: Donna & Tom Ruzika. Costume design: Dwight Richard Odle. Sound design: Garth Hemphill. Music director: Dennis Castellano. Choreographer: Linda Kostalik. Stage manager: Scott Harrison.