The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
‘A Connecticut Christmas Carol’
Theatrical twist on a family favorite
Just when you think you’ve seen every holiday show under the mistletoe, Goodspeed Musicals presents a newly revised version of its creative concoction, “A Connecticut Christmas Carol.”
This innovative, family-friendly take on Charles Dickens’ classic tale is filled with laughs and surprises, including the appearance of some colorful Connecticut celebrities who come back to life for a yuletide gathering.
The story is set in 1925 as the final Goodspeed Opera House production is about to take place before the theater must close its doors forever. Tony Award-nominee Robert Cuccioli (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in Broadway’s “Jekyll & Hyde”) stars as legendary actor William Gillette, and also as Ebenezer Scrooge.
Returning as Bob Cratchit is Matt Gibson, who recently performed in the Off-Broadway revival of “On a Clear Day You
The Terris Theatre, 33 N. Main St., Chester. Friday, Nov. 30 - Sunday, Dec. 30. Wednesday 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Thursday 7:30 p.m. (select dates at 2 p.m.); Friday 8 p.m.; Saturday 3 and 8 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. (select dates at 6:30 p.m.). $49 and up. $25 and up for kids. Sensory-friendly show, Sunday, Dec 9, 2 p.m.; Open-caption, Friday, Dec. 7, 8 p.m. More specials on website. 860-873-8668, www.goodspeed.org
Can See Forever.” He was preparing to do some apartment hunting in Manhattan when we caught him for a phone chat.
Gibson said Goodspeed’s show, at The Terris Theatre in Chester, Nov 30 through Dec. 30, is special in that its completely original score was tailored for Connecticut audiences. “It’s the classic ‘Christmas Carol’ but with a Connecticut twist.”
Charismatic local heroes such as Mark Twain and P.T. Barnum make an appearance, he said. “William Gillette is sort of the narrator... There’s a lot of Connecticut history woven in... We did a version of it last year and were surprised, as a company, how kind of crazy Connecticut audiences went for the Connecticut references.”
Those local references were so popular, more have been added. “We are not plugging anything,” he said, but people seem to like knowing where the characters are, so mentioning certain stores or street names really sets the scene.
“Even if you saw it last year, there are some big changes this year, including an added character and new actors taking over
certain roles. So it should be pretty exciting, and definitely humorous.”
The show, with book by L.J. Fecho, features music and lyrics by Michael O’Flaherty. “As a company working on it, we really loved the piece,” Gibson said.
“But you never know what will be until you’re in front of an audience. There was raucous laughter many nights (last season), people really responded to the book.”
Gibson said it’s a little challenging to hoist Tiny Tim on his
shoulder about 14 times each show, but “Robbie (actor Robbie Berson) is a total pro and we have it timed out — how he jumps up to get there. If the timing is off, it becomes a bit of a dead lift,” he said, laughing. “You feel that at the end of the week.
But he is the perfect Tiny Tim.”
The show is great for all ages. “Literally this is for everyone. There is no one who couldn’t use a little holiday spirit.”