’Tis the season
Holiday classic never fails to entertain
Get in the holiday spirit by taking in Trinity Rep’s edition of ‘A Christmas Carol,’ which never disappoints.
PROVIDENCE – Trinity Repertory Company has unveiled this season’s edition of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” and it’s a lovely blend of tradition and inventive touches that imparts a lingering good mood.
Stephen Thorne, who co-directed last year’s iteration – one of the most joyous – with fellow company member Angela Brazil, is this year’s Scrooge, and he approaches the role as a serious actor. In the opening scenes, his Scrooge feels authentically mean; there is nothing campy in this performance.
But through “magic” imparted via the cane of the Ghost of Christmas Past, played by an engagingly dotty Timothy Crowe, Thorne also portrays Scrooge as a boy and a young man. Usually, Scrooge at different ages is played by different actors, and it’s a testament to Thorne’s talent (and magic?) that this one-man-does-it-all concept works well.
Highlights in this production must include the introduction of Christmas Present. Director Mark Valdez capitalizes on the wordplay by filling the stage with oversized, colorfully wrapped presents before the Ghost himself appears in a blast of light and confetti. Fred Sullivan Jr. complements the setup with his Ghost’s oversized personality.
Jacob Marley’s ghost makes a dramatic entrance and even engages Scrooge in an acrobatic tussle. Once you’ve seen it, you might wonder how Mauro Hantman, as Marley, remembers his lines.
While music always is part of the show, this year’s instrumental and vocal selections are gorgeous. Valdez, encouraged by Trinity staff, decided to work choral music into the production, and Rebecca Noon, artistic associate for community, recruited a changing roster of school, church and com- munity choruses for each of the 56 performances. At Tuesday’s opening night, the West Warwick High School Concert Chorale sang beautiful harmonies.
Esther Zabinski, co-owner, with her sister, of Zabinski Music Studio in Pawtucket, arranged the music, plays keyboards and accordion, and has created one of the most memorable parts of this year’s production.
Valdez, the director, keeps the pace lively; the performance, including intermission, runs just under two hours. Some character development depends on our familiarity with the story, but Valdez takes his time giving emphasis to the most meaningful passages, like the Ghost of Christmas Present’s warning against ignoring Ignorance and Want.
This “Carol” plays out on a multi-level set that goes from a basement-like entry to main-stage and elevated areas, with a bank of old-looking windows reaching to rafters. Designer Michael McGarty not only creates the Dickensian aura but entertains with his artistic interpretation.
Costumes, designed by Gary Lennon, feature voluminous, colorful taffetas for the women and tailored topcoats for the men, while the youngsters in the large children’s cast generally are dressed, evocatively, like street urchins.
Finally, Scrooge’s redemption is goofy – but also heartfelt, underscored with a final choral selection.
Seeing this year’s “A Christmas Carol” is one of the best ways to get ready for the holiday season.
Performances of “A Christmas Carol” continue through Dec. 30 at Trinity Repertory Theater, 201 Washington St. Tickets start at $25 and are available online at www. TrinityRep.com or by contacting the box office at (401) 351-4242. Show details are available online at TrinityRep.com/carol.