A Christmas Carol: Trinity Rep's Dickens brings holiday cheer to all

As the holiday season is just around the corner, the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island, is now holding a production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It is the 24th annual production from the company, and like all its predecessors, the show was spectacular to say the least.

This year's production is directed by Kevin Moriarty, and features two completely different adult casts, as well as four different children casts. We attended the Press Night on Monday, November 27th, in which the Ivy cast performed. Unique to Trinity Repertory Company is its stage setting, in which the audience is seated all around the stage. Thus, the action occurs not only in front of you, but also beside and behind you, from every angle you can possibly imagine.

The play opens in the London counting house of the famous, or rather infamous, Ebenezer Scrooge (Timothy Crowe) and his late partner Jacob Marley (Stephen Berenson). It is Christmas Eve, and Scrooge is working his underpaid employees, including Bob Cratchit (Dan Welch) and Bob's son Tiny Tim, to the bones. In his usual mean and merciless fashion, Scrooge declines a request from his workers to take the day off on Christmas day. Little does he realize he will soon learn to change his ways.

As the night falls, the spirit of Jacob Marley appears in chains in Scrooge's bedroom. He comes to warn Scrooge of the three other spirits that are about to haunt him over the next three nights. Greatly terrified, Scrooge goes to sleep anxiously. With the first clock strike comes the Spirit of Christmas Past (Barbara Meek) - a lady in a white dress who reveals to the audience the forgotten past of Ebenezer Scrooge. The stage comes alive when happy children and adults alike come dancing upon the stage from all sides of the theater, filling the stage with joy and excitement of the holiday, and exposing the childhood and adolescence of Scrooge that was once full of gratitude.

Soon after, the colorful Spirit of Christmas Present (William Damkoehler) arrives, along with dancers and holiday ornaments that bring a festive atmosphere to the stage. The Spirit of Christmas Present shows Scrooge how life really is for the Cratchit family, who, despite the poverty, still have gratitude for their little possession and their love for each other. The spirit also lets Scrooge see the true feelings of his nephew and friends, who do not hesitate to mock him. Having seen all these, Scrooge realizes how mean he has been, begs the spirit to go away, and lets him change his demeanor.

Unexpectedly, the Spirit of the Christmas Future (Stephen Thorne) flies into the stage. He points to Scrooge a scene where he lies dead, with zero amount of sympathy for him. Scrooge no longer wants to witness this tragedy, and begs for a future that shows compassion. The scene quickly changes to the funeral of Tiny Tim, where his sad family grieves for the loss of their poor boy. Once again, Scrooge does not want to see this, and asks to see a happy future. The spirit then shows a family that rejoices over the fact that they no longer have to pay their debt to the wicked Ebenezer Scrooge.

The Spirit then left Scrooge. The old man, disturbed and despaired, finds himself in his bedroom again. Only now he realizes that it is time for him to change, and what better time than Christmas to show love and compassion? He finally drops his oh-so-tired "Bah Humbug" attitude and generously sends everyone a wish for a merry Christmas.

Like every year before, the Trinity Repertory Company has reproduced Dickens' classic with the utmost professionalism. The play was impressively directed. The director has gone through the play with the greatest attention to the minutest details. The set designer, Michael McGarty, has designed the set so carefully that no matter where you are seated, you can still see all the actions on-stage and around the audience.

Equally outstanding is the acting. The cast has done an excellent job. The portrayals of the characters not only are convincing, but also have the power to engage the audience into the evolving emotions of the play. Be it the generous Nephew Fred (Stephen Thorne), the loving Bob Cratchit, the innocent Tiny Tim, or the callous Scrooge, the cast members have all done a miraculous job that you will wholeheartedly give them a big applause.

The brilliant performance is a classic, a hit, and a show you can't afford to miss. The 45-minute drive to Providence is definitely worth it, as there are fewer ways to kick start the holiday season with a treat that immerses you into the Christmas spirit. A Christmas Carol is showing at the Elizabeth and Malcolm Chace Theater, Trinity Rep, 201 Washington Street, Provindence, RI. You can also reserve a seat at (401) 456-0000, or visit their website at http://www.trinityrep.com/.