How many times have you or I seen a production of A Christmas Carol? We have seen traditional productions. We have seen strange interpretations. Some good, some bad, but rarely a production to rave about. Cygnet Theater Company's mounting, under the direction of Sean Murray, is the best production I've seen in recent years.
Scenic Designer Sean Fanning's environment is properly dark and gray. Matthew Novotny's moody lighting enhances the feel of each moment. George Ye's sound design adds a decided eeriness to the events on the Old Town Stage. Shirley Pierson's costumes are apropos, completing a texture for Murray's classical interpretation.
Moments after the house lights dim, we meet Ebenezer Scrooge. Jim Chovick totally defines the old miser. He quite emphatically states Scrooge's concerns and disdains for the Christmas season with just the right amount of orneriness. Chovick was born to play this role; he rules his character and the stage.
Craig Huisenga's Bob Cratchit contrasts nicely with Scrooge. Emmelyn Thayer as Mrs. Cratchit is ideal for the role. The Cratchit family; Peter (Jacob Caltrider), Billy (Daniel and Ian O'Meara alternating), Belinda (Celia Tedde), Martha (Amanda Cooley-Davis) and Tiny Tim (Max Oilman-Williams), have their many moments, too.
Murray's ghosts are a strange lot. First there is Amanda Cooley-Davis dressed in white as the Ghost of Christmas Past bringing an eerie look at Scrooge's past deeds. She is followed by Manny Fernandes as the Ghost of Christmas Present. He confronts Scrooge and shows him what he was losing. Present's very presence, face metallically radiating, feels unworldly. It is, though, the behooded Ghost of Christmases Yet to Come that awes the audience. Without a word and always in the shadows, this ghost is the most threatening for both Scrooge and the audience.
There are special moments, too, when Scrooge meets up with the lovely Belle (Amanda Morrow), his lost love, and his former partner, Jacob Marley (Manny Fernandes). The Fezziwigs, Scrooge's boss of long ago and his wife, are played by Annie Hinton and Paul Krause. Jaysen Waller plays his exuberant nephew, Fred, as well as young Scrooge.
This well-balanced, terrifically designed production offers quality performances throughout. Murray's direction, which we always expect to be excellent, is superb. He proves that this classic can still be exciting no matter how many times we have previously seen it.
