By LeAnna Hamblin
Terrace Plaza Playhouse has a long-standing tradition of bringing the spirit of Christmas to the stage and community by performing the Charles Dickens’ classic, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol. This 27th anniversary run of the show is, for the first time, a double-cast show. The Ivy and the Holly casts are both large casts, full of returning actors who make this show a family holiday tradition.
Producer/Director Jacci Olsen Florence does a phenomenal job transporting the audience and cast to 1850s England, where the holiday spirit is alive and well with everyone, except Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Mark Daniels. We get a true glimpse of Scrooge’s curmudgeon attitude throughout the show as he interacts with different characters who bring out the worst in him. Although, when speaking of Scrooge, is there another side to him? The audience anxiously awaits an answer to that question as the show leads up to Christmas day. Musical Director Whitney Cahoon does a great job with Daniels and the entire Ivy cast in directing them to bring out the true feelings of their characters and the time period of the show.
Scrooge’s nephew Fred, played by Blake Petersen, brings an upbeat and positive attitude to the stage which perfectly balances Daniels’ portrayal of Scrooge. Fred’s positive outlook on life is contagious and helps to keep the hope of Christmas alive. He is patient and forgiving of his uncle and keeps the meaning of Christmas at the forefront of the show.
Throughout the show, whether with his family or at work with Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, played by Ken Morley, continuously shows his fatherly side. Anything he says or does, including asking for a day off work, he does with his family in mind. Cratchit only wants for his family’s happiness and well-being. Morley connects so well with his stage family as a father and a husband, he makes the audience believe that they are his real family. He shows a caring and tender side to his children, especially Tiny Tim, tenderly played by Owen Talbot.
As Scrooge continues through his day, not knowing what the night will bring, he interacts with several townsfolk, including a group of raucous boys, who tease Scrooge, in good fun, during the song, “I Hate People.” This lively group of boys shows the audience why Scrooge feels the way he does about Christmas and people all year long. Although, one may wonder if Scrooge has brought this bitter attitude upon himself through his hard, businesslike way of life. Is there hope for Ebenezer Scrooge to find joy in life?
As he makes his way back to his lonely home for the evening, Scrooge is met by the spirit of his former business partner Marley, played by David Nielsen, who is decorated in a most ghostlike fashion. Costumer Cindy Simmons does a magnificent job in bringing an ethereal feeling through the costumes of Marley and the ghost dancers. This creates a very spiritual welcome to Scrooge as he begins his night of ghostly adventures.
Simmons also shows off her talent with the costumes of the three spirits. Christmas Past’s (Sherri Folkman) quirky, vibrant dress which mimics a young ballerina, is very fitting for the exuberance Folkman gives this character. The joyful, young spirits who accompany Christmas Past, as she gently introduces herself to Scrooge, represent her youthful spirit and the innocence of years gone by. Christmas Past and Scrooge eagerly visit his simpler life when love was plentiful, and joy was all around. The audience is treated to an upbeat song and dance number “December the Twenty-Fifth,” performed by Young Scrooge (William Whitby) and Scrooge’s sister, Fanny, played by (Emma Jeffries). As the audience gets a glimpse of how Scrooge used to be, they also see the mistakes he made that may have led him to the life he now leads.
As the night goes on, Scrooge is visited by the second spirit, Christmas Present (Doug Peterson), who makes an impressive entrance on a sleigh and in a costume closely representing a more familiar Christmas icon, Santa Claus. We see the joy that Christmas Present has in the number “I Like Life.” This musical number helps everyone remember to find the good in the world, no matter how dreary it may seem. During his look into the present, Scrooge finds himself wondering how Cratchit and his wife Mrs. Cratchit (Emily Whitby) have such a positive outlook on life. They show that they can overcome all obstacles and teach their children well, despite the tough challenges life has handed them, Scrooge being one of those challenges. Even Tiny Tim is hopeful through the hard times.
As Scrooge is visited by the final spirit of Christmas Future, played by Dallin Johnson, he fears what he might see in his not so bright future. Johnson brings a foreboding presence to the stage, while Simmons brilliantly costumes this character. Although Christmas Future has no vocal lines, Johnson makes his presence known through his movement and actions. This is one of the most memorable scenes of the entire show. Technical Director and Lighting and Sound Designer DD Lynch works his magic during the graveyard scene, transporting everyone in the theater to the final resting place of Ebenezer Scrooge. His choice of color and gentle use of fog are stage magic.
Choreographers ShaNae Littlewood and Florence do an outstanding job using the space of the stage and the aisles in the audience to include the large cast in the song and dance numbers. With the smaller stage, they get very creative in moving the cast around so that everyone is featured, and their talent is showcased.
Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is a holiday tradition that you will not want to miss. Bring your family and loved ones to catch this top-notch production, enjoy the brand-new theater seats, and start your Christmas season off right.
Beverly’s Terrace Plaza Playhouse presents Scrooge: A Christmas Carol, a musical. The musical is based on Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella of the same name.
Beverly’s Terrace Plaza Playhouse, 99 E. 4700 S. Washington Terrace, UT 84405
November 28-December 22; Monday-Saturday, 7:30 PM, with a special matinee on December 22.
Tickets: $10-$17
Terrace Plaza Playhouse Facebook Page
Scrooge: A Christmas Carol Facebook Event
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