By: Maryvonne Wilkinson
My husband and I had the pleasure of experiencing The Christmas Carol at Joe Morley’s BBQ in Midvale, UT. This production, put on by Salty Dinner Theater, is presented at eight different locations throughout Utah and Salt Lake Counties. These actors do such an excellent job of using the space provided to them, as well as bringing the audience into the show. If you’ve never experienced a dinner theatre production before, then I highly recommend you begin with a production put on by Salty Dinner Theater. It was definitely a night to remember; full of song and fall-off-your seat laughter. It ended way too soon.
Many have heard or seen or read a rendition of A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. It’s a story about a man, Scrooge (Scott Thompson), who loses focus on everything in life except money, until he receives a visit from his deceased business partner, Marley (Tanner Haderlie). The partner warns that if changes are not made, the grouchy man will be burdened with heavy chains in the afterlife. 3 different ghosts visit Scrooge throughout the night, the Past, the Present, and the Yet to Come. The experience changes Scrooge and the story ends with him becoming a generous and loving man.
There have been various adaptations of the story, first published in 1843, throughout the years. The version put on by Salty Dinner Theater stays true to the theme of the story, brings in Dickens’ tradition of reading the story, all while bringing with it a very comical air. As the ghost of Christmas Past (Brad Giles) stated, it’s full of slapstick comedy that is kid friendly. Even the few lines that have double meanings, are tastefully done. For example, after dancing through the streets of London with the Ghost of Christmas Present (Allie Giles) Scrooge asks how she does all that in “those shoes”. Giles’ response is, ”You should see me North Pole dancing in them.” Mary Bassard did an excellent job in her writing of the script, and participating in the play as Charles Dickens’ (Meish Roundy) assistant.
A Christmas Carol is one of my husband’s favorite Christmas stories, he knows much of it by heart, and he thoroughly enjoyed this production. As we drove home discussing the play, he mentioned how Roundy quotes, almost verbatim, the first 5 or so pages of the book and how it really helps to set the stage for the play, as it were. Having Dickens narrate the story, and participate occasionally, helps utilize the limited space of the venue, and quite possibly what helps make the production so fantastic.
The highlight of dinner theater, and what can make or break a production, is the inclusion of the audience throughout the night. The actors must stay in character from the very beginning, even as they mingle with the guests. This group did not disappoint, and they have no fear in pushing boundaries and getting audience members out of their comfort zones. As both actors and audience members told us several times throughout the night, my husband’s participation was the best of the night and more than they could hope for on opening night. One couple at our table has been coming to Salty Dinner Theater productions for over 3 years, and this was the best one they’ve seen. It all came down to the intermission entertainment when 3 audience members are invited to participate in a lip-sync competition. The more animated and dramatic one is, the better the experience. Jamie Haderlie does a wonderful job entertaining the rest of the time with her beautiful voice as she sings various Christmas songs.
The actors do a wonderful job of bringing Dickens London to Midvale, through their acting and costumes. They stay in character, interacting with audience members, who are sometimes used as props. For instance, Bob Cratchit (Jeff Davis) asks Scrooge to have Christmas morning off, Davis uses the audience to come up with a reason for asking, stating, “My wife put me up to it,” referring to what happened with one of the intermission volunteers who was “volun-told” by his wife. The nature of a dinner theater, what helps bring the energy and encourages more audience participation, is the ad-libbing ability of the actors as they interact with the audience. This starts before the play begins, and continues throughout the night. This group from Salty Dinner Theater did an excellent job, which helped make opening night top notch, and guarantee an excellent rest of the season.
If you need a night of laughter and fun, get a ticket or two, or take the whole family, and go experience A Salty Christmas Carol. You won’t be disappointed.
Salty Dinner Theater presents The Christmas Carol by Mary Zullo Brassard
The Old Spaghetti Factory, 575 E University Pkwy, Orem, UT 84097
December 2 7:30 PM
Leatherby’s Family Creamery, 1872 W 5400 S, Taylorsville, UT 84118
December 5 7:30 PM
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Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant, 1075N Hill Field Rd, Layton, UT 84041
December 6, 13 7:30 PM
Red Lobster, 979N Hill Field Rd, Layton, UT 84041
December 7, 21 7:30 PM
Joe Morley’s BBQ, 100 W Center St, Midvale, UT 84047
December 1, 8, 15 7:30 PM
Mimi’s Café, 5223 State St, Murray, UT 84107
December 11, 18 7:30 PM
Sizzler, 1240 State St, Orem, UT 84057
December 12 7:30 PM
Los Hermanos, 71 E Center Street, Provo, UT 84601
December 16 7:30 PM
Tickets: $8-$15
801-262-5083
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