What the Dickens!

What the Dickens! Daniel F. Lendzian has adapted Dickens’ 1840’s iconic tale of greed and redemption, leaving the time period intact, and adding a bit of 21st Century sensibility without detracting from the heart of this beloved story. With a very talented production team, a stellar cast, and sure-handed direction by Executive Artistic Director Chris J. Handley, this is a perfect confection for the holiday season.

The set by Justin and Christopher Swader is a bare floor with the audience on three sides, and a spiral staircase leading up to a parapet that extends to all four sides of the theater. Actors move about up there, appearing and disappearing through unseen exits. The set allows an immersion into the lives and struggles of the characters that would not be as intimate in a proscenium configuration. 

Mike Garvey is superb as that old miser Ebenezer Scrooge. He humbugs his way through Act One, blustering about the poor, terrorizing his clerk, poor Bob Cratchit, and generally being as miserable a miser as he can be. With his terror at the appearance of the ghost of Marley and subsequent visits from other spirits, his grappling with his old beliefs and shame at his cruel behavior, and his gradual transformation into a jolly and generous man, he provides the audience with a master class in acting. 

VerNia Sharisse Garvin is a delight as Christmas Present. Dressed in a red gown with an ermine collar and a bright green headdress and wand (Costumes by Ann R. Emo), she exudes a Mother Earth quality as she lectures, teases, and taunts Scrooge. Zoe Goñez gives a nuanced performance as Belle, young Scrooge’s fiance. She shows her mettle, making it clear she is her own person, with a bit of feminist rhetoric thrown in (what might old Charlie think of that?). She exposes her broken heart to him in a scene that reveals how cut off from his own humanity he has become. Andrew Giondomenico is excellent as the young Scrooge. We see  a man whose heart is in the right place at first, but whose greed gradually overtakes him. He is also the Narrator of the story.

Marty Gartz does a fine job as Bob Cratchit. His fear of Scrooge and his kindness and love for his family are very well done. Gerald Ramsey is truly frightening as the ghost of Marley, and absolutely delightful as Mr. Fezziwig. Kathleen Rooney fusses and fidgets, and has a tot or two, perhaps one too many, as Mrs. Fezziwig. Steven Maiseke as Scrooge’s nephew Fred has a lightness and general bubbliness and optimism that is very engaging. Sara Kow-Falcone handles the rather scary puppet that is Christmas Past. She forces Scrooge to face himself in a determined manner that leaves no doubt about who is in charge. She is also Mrs. Cratchit, struggling to keep her family together. Milo Copps played Tiny Tim. Jackson Davidson will play him, too. Xavier Deschamps, Emerson Disch, Gigi McCann, Camden Parzy-Sanders and Claire Takacs round out the cast. They play various roles in and around Scrooge’s life.

“What about Christmas Future?” you might ask. That is a surprise that will not be revealed here.

The puppets are a great addition, as designed by Elizabeth Dapo. The skeletons are quite frightening. Lighting and Sound by Emma Schimminger are almost characters in themselves - clanking, pounding and eerie sounds that scare Scrooge, and lighting that has a life of its own.

This is a time of year for tradition. A Christmas Carol certainly falls into that category. This production provides the tradition and then creates some unusual, clever, and very entertaining additions. 

‍A Christmas Carol is at the Alleyway Theatre through December 28.