Review by Jane Smith, Front Row Reviewers
Come back in time to the 1843 Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol currently playing at Alpine Community Theater in Pleasant Grove. A Christmas Carol follows Ebenezer Scrooge (Chuck Graves), a wealthy man in London known for being a money lender with the coldest of hearts. During the Christmas season when most people are experiencing joy, charity, and love, Scrooge is running around collecting on his debts and reminding people that Christmas is a Humbug. His assistant bookkeeper Bob Cratchit (Tyler Christensen) is a wonderful family man who believes in the good of others, helps Scrooge with his business, even though Cratchit is treated poorly. Cratchit is dedicated to his job so his family can survive and above all, give a life to the short time that he has with his son, Tiny Tim (Tucker Christenson). Scrooge makes no attempt to hide his disdain for the holiday and requires payment of debts even on Christmas Day for the Smyth Family (Brad Hanks and Lucy Smith) who have just lost their wife/mother. Scrooge’s nephew Fred (Cory Mulcock) even tries to persuade Scrooge to come enjoy dinner with his family, just this once. To no one’s surprise, Scrooge declines and enjoys insulting Fred along the way. When Scrooge retires home for the evening on Christmas Eve, he is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley (Drew Graham). In this terrifying scene, Marley warns Scrooge that if he does not change his ways, he will end up with the same fate as Marley received: that Scrooge’s miserly actions will weigh him down, link by link, sending him into an eternal damnation just like Marley. Marley warns him that Scrooge will be visited by three spirits to help show Scrooge the light–The Ghost of Christmas Past (Becca Violet), The Ghost of Christmas Present (Paul Miller) and The Ghost of Christmases yet to come (Kelli Brown).
Graves is well-versed as the penny-pinching Scrooge as he has been playing the role for eight years now, and we can see why. He takes on the character with the most respect for what Scrooge goes through. He takes the hardships and heartache that has influenced Scrooge to be this cold-hearted man we meet and helps the audience understand why. He particularly excels during the song “Yesterday, Tomorrow and Today” which shows us just how Scrooge has learned the lessons, and will do better, because he now understands how his actions can affect others, and he wants to do good.
Marley, played by the undeniably talented Graham, is wonderfully scary. His creepy scene takes us on a terrifying journey to help the audience understand fully what Marley has bitterly learned. Graham showcases this in a heart-thumping number explaining how a simple action can affect not just how we live in this life, but in the next too. Along with the talented ensemble members dressed as ghouls and others who will live in the underworld with him, we get a scene that will have the audience truly taking a step back to reflect about their own actions.
The three Ghosts are such a sight to behold. Whether it is from Violet’s charmingly angelic voice of Christmas Present as she shows us the moments that truly made Scrooge so cold, Miller’s hilarious Christmas Present who teaches us to live in the moment and focus on spreading cheer, not ignorance or greed, or Brown’s horrible specter Christmas Yet to Come who even in silence shows us that our actions will decide how many people will wind up dancing on our grave. It is all astounding. These ghosts help Scrooge see the changes he needs within himself and really bring the characters to life.
The Cratchit family gives the entire audience the pure joy that comes with the season. From the incredible chemistry of Tyler Christensen’s portrayal of the loving husband and father Bob Cratchit and Becky Maddox as his darling wife, to the absolutely astounding talent of the Cratchit children (Eliza Christensen, Henry Coggins, Eve Banagas, Rubie Christensen and Tucker Christensen) we are charmed by this sweet family and the actors that portray it. The children are wonderful in their roles, and in such a big show, they do the story proud and help move it along in a most charming way. Special mention to Tucker Christensen as the beloved Tiny Tim who is just a little thing but makes a big impact.
Special mentions need to be to Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig (Jeff Snyder and Kelli Brown), Young Ebenezer (Ethan Cecil) and Emily (Sofia Schofield). The Fezziwigs bring such comical spin on such a deep story. Their singing perfectly complements each other and their song “Fezziwig’s Annual Christmas Ball” is the life of the party. The incredible ensemble go on a 7 1/2-minute dance number that makes you want to grab a drink and party with them. They are having fun and it shows. Young Ebenezer and Emily show us the softer side to Scrooge and Cecil and Schofield are convincing in these roles in their love song to each other “A Place Called Home”. What captivated me was when Emily returns her ring to her beau, her heartbreak is obvious. Cecil’s reaction is silent but impactful, something I had never seen before. We see the exact moment Ebenezer becomes the curmudgeonly misery. The way this is executed is incredible and truly a moment those who love the story should not miss.
The entire cast of this show is huge–around 65 people, and the majority of them are children. The way they take every single moment in this show and give it their whole heart is what community Theater is about and how it should be. They are one in purpose despite the various roles. They move the storyline with such grace and love, you will need a tissue or two during the show.
Director Laura Snyder along with her Choreographer Rebecca Call really bring it this Christmas season. The way they put purpose into every single decision is clear. From the beloved children’s dance moves as elves to the dark movements of Christmas Future, we are entertained.. Music director Avery Dall-Hilton put that cast to work and the hard work paid off. Besides some tricky numbers like the hauntingly beautiful “Dancing on your Grave” to the fun-filled “Abundance and Charity”, Dall-Hilton made sure every note is sung with intention. Sound and Lighting by Lindsey Snyder, Jeremy Sattler, and Derrek Anderson is beautifully executed. That same team did the sound and bravo for having such a large cast to work with, bravo that everyone is heard and blends smoothly. The costumes sourced by Erin Smith really help take us back to Victorian England. They flatter the cast and effectively highlight their characters. From the charity women to the grave diggers, every single piece is appropriate. The set design by Aaron Arnesen, Stephanie Russo, and Jefferson Eldredge is beautiful. We are taken from the streets of London into the tiny home of the Cratchits, long with some incredible projection to really give us the illusion of ghosts. The entire production team truly went above and beyond to sprinkle their own little bit of magic on this masterpiece, and that’s exactly what they did. If you find that your heart needs a little more spirit this season, it’s time to gather and attend Alpine Community Theater’s A Christmas Carol where you are sure to find the true meaning of Christmas. God Bless us, Everyone!
Liahona Theater, 2464 W 450 S, Pleasant Grove UT 84062
December 13-21 2024 including matinees, various times
Tickets: $12-16, $10-$14 Adult Child/Senior
Contact: 801-404-0736
Alpine Community Theater Facebook Page
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