A Christmas Carol--Seeing A Warm Christmas Classic in LBPH's 85th Miracle Anniversary Yr, Is A True Holiday Treat!

Patch Entertainment Event Theatre Review

A Christmas Carol--Seeing A Warm Christmas Classic in LBPH's 85th Miracle Anniversary Yr, Is A True Holiday Treat!

Reviewed By: Joseph Sirota 

It couldn’t really be a complete Christmas season without revisiting Charles Dickens' masterful fable of the joyfulness & goodwill of Christmas--A Christmas Carol. He Cleverly/Imaginatively creates unforgettable, ghostly allegory fitting Victorian England's mean old, harsh scorn to the poor masses, while he paints the dominant rich & powerful as uncaring to help. Dickens knew firsthand the harsh imprisonment/embarrassment meted out by the Poor–Laws ..which addressed the poor’s needs” heartlessly. His vivid Philosophical heart-touching tale deems without a spirit of goodness, even the richest man is hollow & alone. Dickens' triumphs over the humbug Ebenezer Scrooge -- a pompous symbolic, selfish money-centered man who's rich, but friendless, loveless & joyless. Literature finds Scrooge's miraculous uplifting “turnabout” from callous, isolated miser to generous openhearted benefactor of all fellow men. Who ever finds Warmth & Joy in a single night?

Those Ghosts are darn better "curers" than any modern "Shrink" or "Guru". Dickens brilliantly thought of them in writing the novella while he himself was near impoverishment in autumn 1843. To make his story affordable when published a week before Christmas 1843, he risked paying for all production costs himself; and he priced it at a small five shillings. Though it's been sold a "gazillion" times, his expenses plus printer "piracy", A Christmas Carol was a smash, not a huge money-maker (great writer, but week Businessman)...ironically a real Scrooge mind might have made Dickens rolling in dough!). Fortunately, Dickens wrote many other fine classics... none out sold this "Carol" gem.

I won't retell you details of the story as you've likely heard a 100 or more versions. And if by wonder, you didn't read, see or hear A Christmas Carol you're in for a brilliant work of writing and a theatrical treasure! But, I will emphasize, that though there have been Big Money Versions with tons of musicals, super backgrounds and optical tricks I insure you that this 85th LBPH Anniversary production is terrific in sending us the key philosophical messages, in the close intimate horse-shoe theater/stage. And, more importantly the entire show was clearly, really "from the heart" -- & more well-styled for families of all ages, including youngsters... even though dem ghosts & FUTURE Giant Ghost (a Wow!) all seemed a Hoot to audiences of every age. Bravo for the Director Sharyn Case - great creative use of the limited expenses and guiding the very devoted cast (I've liked Sharyn's prior direction and this even more-so. Hats off to Stage Manager Kathleen Zaug for superb work on a very demanding stage, big cast, different Century and society. As always, the cast was be amazingly costumed despite budget, by Donna Fritsche--what a splendid job on this one A++.  Special Kudos to Set Design by Andrew Vonderschmitt -- I was hit by his super sets for years, and here, het shows he can still handle the very deepest challenges--I always root for Andrew, But I Never-Ever say Break-a-Leg to a fine guy! Support Team: Lights--Matthew Mikulka, Sound-Sean Gray, KEY Assistants: Brian Canup and Victoria Martinez. A very worthy Production!!!

Impressive, (One-&-All Cast) --As Tiny Tim Would Say: G-d Bless Them, Every-One:

SCROOGE: Rick Kopps--Although Dickens might Yell! I find Kopps' approach of Poking Fun at the Holiday Lovers instead of past actors Hate-Them-Style made this local holiday version warmer/less angry(& better for family kidlets). BOB CRATCHIT: Stephen Saatjian-As forgiving, Decent & Loving a Dad, Hubby, Worker & MAN-touches our souls.

FRED HALLOWELL: Julian Fernandez-He shines like the goodness of his deceased mother, Scrooge's beloved sister.

JACOB MARLEY: Doug Seagraves-an excellent past partner of Scrooge- strongly & poignantly trying to save him.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST: Juliana Perez is another dear person/ghost trying to understand & help Scrooge live.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT: Dean Figone- A near powerful giant of a ghost, warning, but teaching Scrooge.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE: A terrific 13 Foot-High, hooded & skeleton-handed Puppet (bravo 2man-Ghosts)

The Many Delightful and hard-working Supporting Players -- who make the show come to busy London 1800's Life!!!        

PLAYER #1; Jeeves, Fezziwig, Broker #1 and Old Joe – Gordon Marhoefer

PLAYER #2; Howell, Young Scrooge, Broker #2, Mr. Tackleton the Undertaker and Thomas – Zackary Salene

PLAYER #3; Tiny Tim and Ebenezer as a boy – Kruiz Mauga

PLAYER #4; Fan and Belinda Cratchit, Poverty -Hannah Smith

PLAYER #5; Belle, Martha Cratchit, Janet Hollowell, Mrs. Dilber, and Caroline – Andrea Paquin

PLAYER #6; Mrs. Fezziwig, Mrs. Cratchit. Mrs. Oliver and Poulterer – Victoria Martinez

PLAYER #7; Peter Cratchit and Boy, Hunger – Lucas Dysart

--For a moving, uplifting production of a Golden Classic play-- A Christmas Carol: at LBPH’s MainStage 5021 E Anaheim St
Long Beach, CA 90804.  Fri & Sat 8:00 PM, plus Sun Matinees, 2:00PM. Closes Dec 22. Tickets: $24, but $12 for students, & some other specials.  Tel: (714) 708-5555 www.SouthCoastRepertory.com or scr.org