ASF presents magical ‘Christmas Carol’
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If you are looking for the magic of Christmas, look no further than the Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s dazzling adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”
In the past ASF audiences have seen myriad variations of the Christmas classic: an adaptation by best-selling author John Jakes; some of ASF’s best actors reinventing Scrooge; perhaps its greatest actor doing a one-woman show; a wonderful Geoffrey Sherman adaptation in which the character of Dickens not only narrates but performs magic tricks.
But this production, beautifully adapted and directed by ASF Artistic Director Rick Dildine, is one of the most magical ASF has ever staged. Christmas spirits literally soar, flying across the stage, and Scenic/Projections Designer Edward T. Morris creates awe-inspiring effects by melding projections with the sets. He even creates an amazingly realistic snowstorm that breaks out above the audience.
While the magical effects will delight children – and more than a few adults – it would mean little if the other theatrical storytelling elements weren’t as strong, but as usual at ASF, they are.
The acting is excellent. This is a huge cast, more than two dozen actors in each show, but there isn’t a bad performance. Paul Slade Smith shines as Scrooge, but this is truly an ensemble production. So, while you can pick favorites: Benjamin Bonenfant as Bob Cratchit, Chauncy Thomas as the Ghost of Christmas Present, Emily Shain as Mrs. Cratchit, Alex Ross as Fred, Adrian Denise Kiser as the Ghost of Christmas Past, everyone is excellent. There is even some festive holiday interaction between the cast and the audience.
It should be noted that the young actors are also very good. While Sam Mason may be the scene stealer as Tiny Tim, (Carson Campbell plays him in other productions) the quality of the young people’s performances is consistently strong.
We have the usual gorgeous, and in a few cases here creepy, costumes from Costume Designer Kathleen Geldard, and brilliant lighting from Jeff Behm. A major plus is that music saturates the entire production, thanks largely to Michael Costagliola. The cast includes not just talented voices, but a full-scale band.
Dildine brings all this together seamlessly in a fast-moving, wondrous retelling of this Christmas classic that will be a holiday gift the entire family can appreciate.
Want to go?
WHAT: The Alabama Shakespeare Festival production of "A Christmas Carol"
WHEN: Continues through Dec. 24 (times and dates vary)
WHERE: The ASF's Festival Stage
TICKETS: Call 334-271-5353, go by the ASF box office or order online.
MORE INFO: www.asf.net.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: ASF presents magical ‘Christmas Carol’
