Review

Mary Mallory, Enjoy!

DOWNTOWN -- A Noise Within’s warm-hearted production of Charles

Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” captures the true spirit of Christmas.

Generous and joyful, co-directors Julia Rodriguez Elliott and Geoff

Elliott’s production is a welcome way to ring in the season. Stripping

away special effects and extraneous detail, Geoff Elliott’s adaptation

focuses on Dickens’ powerful words.

The text celebrates the joy of life and human connection. Filled with

dancing and frivolity, the play energetically captures the mad dance of

life that weaves humanity together. Sometimes, however, the direction

carries it to the extreme to illustrate the message.

Gloomy, bitter Ebenezer Scrooge discovers the true meaning of love and

laughter when forced to encounter his past, present and future through

three visions. He realizes that life sings when love and joy are shared.

The play features a fine ensemble cast, with several standouts.

Stephen Rockwell shines as Fred and the young Scrooge. Both characters

demonstrate deep affection and caring for others. Mitchell Edmonds shows

a wide range of emotion as Marley, Fezziwig and Old Joe.

The Ghost of Christmas Present is powerfully portrayed by Geoff

Elliott as a righteous man demanding an end to ignorance and want.

Michael Sean McGuinness and Anna C. Miller portray the warm, loving

Cratchits. McGuinness’ shy, gentle Bob Cratchit is wonderfully supported

by Miller as the earthy, protective Mrs. Cratchit.

Impressive William Dennis Hunt vividly brings Scrooge to life.

Starting as a sarcastic, morose shrew of a man, Hunt’s Scrooge slowly

awakens to the joy of humanity. As he expands his heart, Scrooge becomes

playful and engaging. Hunt demonstrates Scrooge’s growing warmth by

joyfully frolicking around the stage, enthusiastically greeting all he

meets.

The only dark shadow cast on the production is the over-the-top

presentations of the ghosts. The chorus wails are overdone when Marley’s

chained ghost appears. And a frilly vision in white, the Ghost of

Christmas Past looks like a wedding cake angel. The Ghost of Christmas

Present is ushered in atop a tall ladder, almost floating over the

proceedings.

However, strong design enlivens the production. Simple staging with a

minimum of props and furniture allows attention to be focused on the

message. Clocks loom prominently, suggesting time is short to learn

lessons and enjoy life.

The costumes illustrate the class differences. The wealthy wear

colorful, elaborate costumes, while the poor are dressed in bare earthen

tones. Dressing the various narrators in the same drab coat and black

pants suggests they represent the large, nameless humanity. The angels

are frilly visions in white.

Scrooge learns the lesson of love in this strong production -- a

lesson that expands beyond the Christmas holiday.

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: A Noise Within’s production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas

Carol,” adapted by Geoff Elliott, co-directed by Geoff Elliott and Julia

Rodriguez Elliott.

WHERE: 234 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale.

WHEN: 8 p.m., Friday and Dec. 21 and 22; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday

and Dec. 20 and 23; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday. Ends Dec. 23.

TICKETS: $22 to $40.

PHONE: (323) 953-7795.