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| Show 48 of 2016 |
Adapted from Charles Dickens’ classic novel by Angel Dewbre, Ardmore Little Theatre closed out 2016 with a Christmas classic, A Christmas Carol. This production was a joint fundraiser for ALT and the Goddard Center for the Visual and Performing Arsts. A Christmas Carol is a season favorite of many theatres in our area both in community and professional theatre. Dewbre grew up in Illinois and A Christmas Carol was part of their city’s holiday culture. As a member of the ALT Board of Director’s she wanted to bring this tradition to Ardmore.
I must start with the set, or rather, the lack of set. The set was very simple with only a few pieces of furniture to represent a room and I loved it. The trend in theatre lately are these simple sets which leave the audience member’s imagination to ‘fill in the blanks’ that are left by the set. I could go on for days about why I prefer simple sets to more complex sets, but that will be for another post. I am glad to see this trend coming to ALT.
Onto the performance, I will not lie, I was slightly concerned with her casting of Ebenezer Scrooge, local favorite Steve Brandenburg. Brandenburg is a veteran of the ALT stage and is known for his ridiculous antics and comedy, at which he excels. I was worried Scrooge would come off as caricaturish, however Brandenburg created a wicked and menacing Ebenezer Scrooge which I’m certain scared children four counties away! His frightening performance as Scrooge through the show was only outdone by his transformation into the jubilant new man he turned into at the end of the show. This start contrast certainly made the show for me.
Newcomer to stage, Kregg Clemens, was fantastic portraying family man and Scrooge assistant Bob Cratchitt. Clemens only prior credit was as 3000 year old mummy (and my love interest) Yo Wut Sup in dinner theatre performance of How I Met Your Mummy. He has been an active part of the ALT family, at improv meetings and backstage since his lovely wife, Julie, 'voluntold' him to be. It was wonderful to see his talent showcased in this arena.
Speaking of the Clemens’ family, A Christmas Carol was a family affair indeed as all members were together on stage. One of my favorite parts of community theatre is when things like this happen and the whole family can get involved and spend time together creating show, whether all on stage or some behind the scenes (we had the pleasure of having this wonderful family with us in Mary Poppins too!). I must mention the youngest Clemens, Lucy, and her spectacular portrayal of Fan Scrooge, Ebenezer’s sister, in the Christmas Past scenes. She was precociously adorable and I hear she was one of the first to be off book!
Another stand out in this production was ALT newcomer Terry Anderson as Scrooge’s former boss, Mr. Fezziwig. This jubilant bright character jumped out at you (literally!) and grabbed your attention. I must say his short scene was one of my favorite parts of the entire show. He made you want to go home and throw a grand and fun Christmas party!
Another aspect of this production that must be mentioned was the make up for this show. ALT is lucky to have one of the best makeup artists in their community. Elisa Griffith is so phenomenal that there are hardly words to describe. She transformed Steve Brandenburg from a XXish year old man (I know, but I’m too kind for numbers!) into an old miserly man. Jacob Marley, portrayed by John Pryor, was the epitome of a frightening ghost. Lisa Cowan was transformed into a sparkly and beautiful Ghost of Christmas Past. I must also mention another newcomer to the ALT stage, Dillon Miller, and his glitter green beard as the Ghost of Christmas Present (he swears he did not have to shave it to get all the glitter out!)
I could go on about stand out performances for this show since it is my home theatre, but as my goal is to be concise I will leave it there. Theatre around Christmas always makes me happy. There is something about well known shows that I’ve seen over and over being played out again that puts me in the holiday spirit and this one did not disappoint!
For More Information:
Production: A Christmas Carol
Company: Ardmore Little Theatre
Venue: Goddard Center for the Visual and Performing Arts
City: Ardmore, OK
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