Trinity’s Christmas gift continues to please

By Don Fowler
Posted 11/25/15

I have never met a Trinity Rep “A Christmas Carol” that I didn’t like. And that includes the 39th production, directed by Curt Columbus, pleasing young and old this year in Trinity’s upstairs …

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Trinity’s Christmas gift continues to please

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I have never met a Trinity Rep “A Christmas Carol” that I didn’t like. And that includes the 39th production, directed by Curt Columbus, pleasing young and old this year in Trinity’s upstairs Chace Theatre.

We have seen many actors play the role of Ebenezer Scrooge over the years, and none has captured the essence of the character better than Stephen Berenson. Short of stature, long in face, crotchety and miserly in character, this Scrooge goes through a believable, lovable redemption that lights up the theatre space, as snow falls and all is right with the world.

God knows we need happy endings and reasons to laugh and cheer and make merry, and this sometimes dark but eventually bright rendition of the classic has all the elements.

Deb O’s barebones set is filled with moving objects, the customary trap door and a backdrop projecting fallen snow, with the emphasis primarily on the characters. There’s a bit more music, thanks to six musicians in the background, some spiffy costumes by Toni Spadafora and effective lighting by Josh Epstein.

There’s no Flying by Foy, but there are three innovative entrances from the three ghosts who visit Scrooge.

This “A Christmas Carol” has an intermission. Not sure why, but it does make for a clever opening for the second act. We are left at the end of Act 1 (Stave 1) with a huge red cloth covering the stage, with a Christmas present placed in the center. When we return to our seats we are treated to a present in the form of the Ghost of Christmas Present, beautifully played by Phyllis Kay.

Stephen Thorne is back as Bob Cratchit, always adding clever little nuances to his role. Brian McEleney makes for a scary Jacob Marley (the little girl in front of us huddled up in her grandmother’s arms), quickly shedding his chains and gruesome makeup to play background characters. The kids, as always, are delightful, with two casts alternating nights.

There are a number of subtle changes to the play, as always, with one major change. Columbus could find nothing in the novella about the character of Mrs. Partlett. Berenson told us that Adrian Hall had originally invented the character to provide a small supporting role for veteran actress Barbara Orson. Hence the name: Partlett, or “small part.”

Columbus chose to retain the Dickens character of Mrs. Dilber, the laundress, providing Janice Duclos with one juicy role that she carries off perfectly. Duclos also appears along with Fred Sullivan Jr. to play the Fezziwigs, and what a wonderful pair they make.

We need all the help we can get this year to embrace the Christmas spirit, and I can think of no better way than to revisit the classic, as only Trinity can do it.

You can catch it now through New Year’s Eve at Trinity Rep. Call 351-4242 for reservations, or go online at www.trinityrep.com.

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