By Jason Barlow, Guest Reviewer
The atmosphere that was created in Alpine Community Theater’s production of A Christmas Carol last night was wonderful. The actors’ interactions are terrific and the timing is terrific. You are drawn into the story because the parts have been rehearsed very well and the scenes flow so naturally. From the way the set transitions are handled, to the way the actors seem to be actually living the scenes, to the lighting and sound, all of the moving parts work together to create an authentic feel that truly transports you into the early 1800’s for a joyful visit into the past.
What an outstanding portrayal of Charles Dickens’ beloved story about life, greed, and the true spirit of Christmas – changing a life from a lonely selfish existence to a happy life filled with love, friendship, family, and joy. This looks much more like a professional play than an amateur performance. The hours that this group has put into making this such an amazing and enjoyable performance show so abundantly in the delivery.
Watching Scrooge (Charles Graves) and Cratchit (Colin Baker) in the second scene of the play was delightful. Scrooge in his hump and frump at the merriment and happiness around him, and Cratchit striving to do his best to keep up with, stay out of the way of, and perform his expected duties for his demanding employer, is fabulously supported by the townsfolk bounding about their day on the streets of London.
The Cratchit family (including Stacy Russon) are a delight to watch as they interact and show us the joy that they insist on finding even through their impoverished circumstances. Bob and Tiny Tim (Zack Davis) have a real bond. You can feel the truth of their lives as they struggle to not allow hate to enter their lives, even though they are taken advantage of each day that Bob slaves under the cruel and selfish miser who employs him. They remarkably embody the true meaning of Christmas.
Katie Finley, Paul Millner, and Anne Perkins do an amazing job as the Christmas Ghosts – fun, energetic, and haunting. They are terrific at transforming themselves from their smaller parts to fully embrace and portray the apparitions vividly and true to their best imagination. I loved the magical appearance of the Ghost of Christmas Present. Though you know he is coming, it was a real treat the way he appeared. Marley (Jeff Snyder) is so well cast. His performance as a haunted spirit is all the way, without being over the top, very skillful, and a chilling pleasure to watch. I further loved the dance of the ghosts that accompanied him in the song Link by Link, which is so well-choreographed by Stephanie Cole and executed very well – it is truly believable.
The quality of performance displayed, the creativity in transporting both stage and audience to the different time periods, all is so well done, to a caliber I have rarely witnessed before in live performance. From the clever use of green vests on young Scrooge and Marley as they strive to start their business, to Fezziwig’s Ball, in which Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig (Derrick Cain and McKenna Gordon) and their energy and enthusiasm brings a longing in your heart to join the party and leaves you wanting to shout for joy as the party finishes, to one especially delightful dance number during the visit from Christmas Present, with the elves, the tappers, and especially the Christmas Goodies as they arrive and depart via a Christmas package. It is adorable.
Taking the trip with Scrooge through his past was so touching and brought tears to my eyes more than once. Charles Graves’ portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge is nothing short of amazing. This being his first leading role comes as quite a surprise. His masterful portrayal of the transformation from an ornery old miser snapping at everyone who dares venture close to him to a lively, joyful man, enamored with life and the joy that surrounds him, so that he is literally jumping around on stage, no longer able to contain it, is so gradual and real that you wouldn’t notice were it not for there being such a stark difference from the start to the end of the play. His accent is perfect for the part, strong and true, yet he is still able to clearly deliver his lines so that he was completely understandable. Speaking with C. Graves after the play he had the following to say: “It felt amazing and I’m very honored to have the opportunity. [It’s] the most amazing, talented cast I have ever worked with. They’re all hard workers, their energy…It’s just been great.”
I would also like to give a nod to Megan Graves playing the part of Mrs. Mops. Throughout the play she played the part of Scrooge’s maid very well, showing both distanced concern for his well-being and a disregard for his life after his “future death,” profiting from Scrooge’s personal belongings. I especially loved how baffled and surprised she was at his Christmas morning transformation. M. Graves afterwards commented about how many family relationships there were in the cast, saying, “There were a lot of family members in this together, which is great! [That] is one of the reasons I was in the show… to be in a show with my dad for the first time.” She also said that “Scrooge’s last song “Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Today,” and Dickens’ story itself, appeal to every person, because they are about redemption and repairing one’s life for the better – that it’s not too late to change how we are.”
Director Laura Snyder has led a wonderful cast and crew in a remarkable performance of A Christmas Carol, with Alan Menken, Lynn Ahrens, and Mike Ockrent’s musical score. She says, “I just love [the show], it has such a beautiful message and the music is just phenomenal.”
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Menken, Ahrens, and Ockrent’s music is wonderfully presented by this talented crew of volunteers, with excellent music direction by Caroline Morris. From the lead actors, to the chorus, to the sound crew, all aspects of this play are fabulous and nearly flawless. I was delighted the entire time of this play, with intermission leaving me anxious for the play to again transport us back in time to ancient England.
From the sound to the overall look and feel of the props and stage, to the finesse and believability in which all of the actors portrayed their parts, this production is an obvious combination of great directing combined with wonderful talent and lots and lots of hard work. One final note I would like to mention is the magic at the end. Beyond saying this, you will have to go see it for yourself because I am not going to ruin the ending surprise.
Note: The Valentine Theater is a great venue that creates the perfect backdrop for the performance, both comfortable and warm, as well as providing great sound quality. It can, however, be a bit difficult to find, so be sure to use the Google Maps app to direct you. Other apps don’t seem to know how to get there.
Alpine Community Theater presents A Christmas Carol, by national award-winning composer Alan Menken, and Lynn Ahrens and Mike Ockrent.
Via google maps: Valentine Theater Auditorium, 839 E 9th N, American Fork, UT 84003
November 30-December 1, 3-5 7:00 PM, matinee Saturday Dec. 1 2:00 PM
Tickets: $15, $12, and $10, plus a $2 discount for child, student & senior tickets.
Contact: text/call 801- 404-0736
Alpine Community Theater Facebook Page
A Christmas Carol: The Musical Facebook Event
We saw this production on Tuesday and are going again Saturday night with other family members. Our son Colin Baker is Bob Cratchit and we loved the whole production. Such fun! What a great job the cast and crew did. So uplifting, fun, heartwarming and very touching. Bravo ACT!