Carol, A Christmas Story has been created out of the fertile minds of Gayle Feldman and Todd Blakesley, who are also principals in this newly-formed theater and production company along with Lee Lampard. Parodying Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," Scrooge has had a gender change.
Carol Scrooge (Helen Lesnick), is a high-powered business executive and Crachit has metamorphosed into Bobbie Crotchitt (Raylene Wall). Tiny Tim is now Tiny Tina (Jen Meyer). Carol has a deaf sister, Fran (Lee Lampard) and we get a visit from Carol's Mommy (Msusan Nieman). The ghosts are all there in their threatening glory. The story is fun, combining Dickens' basics, the gender changes, delightful asides, and topical humor. It is generally fast-paced and charmingly uplifting. The few slow spots could be picked-up with some minor rewriting.
As in the original version, Scrooge is the star. And what a star she is! Helen Lesnick moves from hard driving, ultra-controlling executive who solves all her problems with large checks, to panicked in the dream sequence, to her final resolve. Wow! Scrooge's Christmas goal is to give Tiny Tina an enlargement of her breasts. A nice writing touch is that whenever Carol feels trapped by her own words, she comments, "I was just kidding!" Haven't we all done that?
Lee Lampard's Fran is convincing. She signs like a pro and talks as a deaf person to perfection. Little elements, such as feeling her throat or that of others, for tonal quality, add up to a thoroughly accurate portrayal. Lampard also plays blond-wigged Martha Crotchitt, Bobbie's lover. Another dynamic performer is Msusan Niemann as Mommy Scrooge. Blessed with a beautiful singing voice, a charming smile and a thorough understanding of her role, she provides the audience with a mommy-dearest, complete with all that's good and all that's bad in the raising of her two daughters. Something about the chains that bind -- but then you'll have to see this production for that inside joke.
The cast also includes Kristen Bentz, Kieran Meltvedt, Laura Montes, Dana Pacheco, Raylene Wall, David Williams, and Kit Gately, who understudies the Bobbie Crotchitt role. Raylene Wall's minimalist set works well for the multiple locations. It was complimented by Rick Reischman's lighting and Todd Reischman's sound. Costume designer Carolyn Leone-Smith provides a nice variety as well as defining the characters.
Actor's Asylum is a 49-seat house perfect for independent production companies. There is ample parking at this large storefront facility. The space is warm and comfortable with tiered seating and a more-than-adequate raised stage area. The highlight of the facility is a large homey lobby where early arrivals my sit, have a nosh, and chat. It has the feeling of a friend's livingroom, complete with a snack table.
