By Nate Brown
As we traveled to the Valentine Theater in American Fork, Utah, to see Alpine Community Theater’s presentation of A Christmas Carol, one thing was on our mind.
Snow.
There was a lot of it. And while the beautiful, slippery landscape of white made for a slow commute – and caused the show to be held for 15 minutes – we couldn’t have asked for a better backdrop as we prepared to see Charles Dickens’ classic as it was told with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and book by Ahrens and Mike Ockrent.
If you haven’t been to the Valentine Theater before, you should give yourself a few extra minutes to find it. Nestled amidst several very similar buildings, it can be easy to overlook the modest, handmade sign announcing the theater. There are some parking restrictions, so make sure if the lot is full you don’t park at the gas station.
The outside of the Valentine Theater belies the space within. As you enter, you find yourself in a professional-looking area that seats hundreds of patrons. Hinting of what is to come are set construction manager Tony Byrom‘sbanisters on the wings of the stage and the show’s title shining brilliantly on the curtain.
As the curtain rises on the stage, accompanied by Menken’s score, you are greeted by one of the strengths of this production. The ensemble. Alpine Community Theater’s mission statement includes the desire “to provide an opportunity for the entire community to come together and be involved in Musical Theater,” and this ensemble demonstrates that sentiment. A wide variety of ages and talents makes its way across the stage. Whether dressed as acolytes, Christmas goodies, elves, angels, or townsfolk, this ensemble will sing, dance, and even tap their way into your heart.
A Christmas Carol can’t be played without an Ebenezer Scrooge and when Charles Graves enters the stage, you may think you’ve found the original. Graves’ initial manner and gait scream out grumpy, old curmudgeon. Graves’ performance leads us admirably through the production. It avoids overshadowing the other performers, reminding us that while Scrooge is the one who changes the most throughout the show, it is the other characters that we truly fall in love with.
Eden Swogger, Paul Miller, and Lindsey Worthen portray the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future respectively (also played by Megan R. Anderson as Christmas Past and Avery Dall as Christmas Present). Swogger is delightful, both in ghost form and as a lamplighter. She floats as she moves and sings beautifully, and presents an optimistic grace as she interacts with the frightened and guilt-ridden Scrooge. Miller is as boisterous as the Ghost of Christmas Present as he is humble in his role as the simple sandwich-board man peddling tickets for a production of Mother Goose. The contrast between the affableness and the stern warning of Miller’s ghost is striking. Whether as the blind beggar with the face-obscuring hat or as the veiled Ghost of Christmas Future, Worthen’s face is mostly unseen throughout the show. This ties in beautifully with her floating portrayal of the ghost, who never quite answers questions about the future when Scrooge pleads for more knowledge.
The Cratchit family is endearing. Kyler Hardy plays an adorable and pitiful Tiny Tim that audiences will want to scoop up and take home with them (also played by Evan Cory). Andrew Lambert portrays a humble, bumbling Bob Cratchit and makes it easy to see why Mrs. Cratchit (Tara Jean Harris) and the rest of the family show him so much adoration.
Calvin Cory and Courtney Byrom are delightful as Mr. and Mrs. Feziwig, portraying them with love for each other that spills out to those around them. Cory and Lindsey Snyder likewise play the lighthearted Fred and less-forgiving Sally with a comfortable likeability.
Grayson Paskett as Young Scrooge and Sierra Palmer as Scrooge’s love, Emily, have an excellent connection to each other on stage. As the love between them goes cold, the audience can’t help but mourn the loss of hope and joy that we saw in them at Fezziwig’s and when Scrooge proposed.
The direction by Laura Snyder is simple and clear, as is the choreography by Snyder and Stephanie Cole. The music direction by Caroline Morris is nearly flawless, and a much higher caliber than audiences tend to associate with community productions. Costumes by Anne Jennings and her committee feel remarkably period and do well to move us through the story without distraction. With a cast that seems to rival the audience for size, stage management by Bethany Cory, Courtney Johnson, Kathy Phillips, and Camryn Whitby is outstandingly efficient and seamless. Technical direction by Lindsey Snyder, sound by Caleb Dillenbeck and Josh Monson, and lighting by Jacob Bird complete the ambiance of the show, highlighting the feelings being evoked by the script.
A Christmas Carol is appropriate for audiences of all ages, and even young children will be engaged by the spectacle of this show. Few things will get your family as ready for the holiday season as seeing Alpine Community Theater’s production of A Christmas Carol!
Alpine Community Theater presents A Christmas Carol. Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Book by Mike Ockrent and Lynn Ahrens.
Valentine Theater, 839 E 9th N, American Fork, UT 84003
November 29 – December 9, 2019, 7:30 PM Mon, Thu, Friday, Sat, 2:00 PM Matinee Sat, Dec 7
Tickets: $12-$15, $10-$12 Child/Student/Senior
Contact: 801-404-0736
AlpineACT@msn.com
Alpine Community Theater Facebook Page
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