Reviewed by Tony Annicone
The Arctic Playhouse’s holiday presentation this year is the premiere production of “A Christmas Carol” adapted and directed by John Martorella with gorgeous and lush original music by his husband, Philip Martorella. John assembled a huge cast of 30. The underlying themes of charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence found in “A Christmas Carol” are universal and are relevant to people of all religions and backgrounds. In his version, John uses two different performers as the narrators of this familiar tale of miserly, curmudgeon, Ebenezer Scrooge. It is the classic tale of this stingy, miser on the road to his redemption. Originally written in the winter of 1843, this show still resonates with audiences, one hundred and seventy five years later. Scrooge is visited by his dead partner, Jacob Marley who has been dead for seven years on Christmas Eve as well as the ghosts of the Past, Present and Future. who hope to change his destiny and save his soul. This musical adaptation is full of lovely music, colorful sets and gorgeous costumes. This musical treat follows Scrooge on his strange and magical journey, where he finally discovers the true Christmas spirit at last.
John obtains laughter and some tears on Scrooge’s journey to redemption. He keeps the action of the show moving from scene to scene. He ends the show with the cast singing “God Bless Us All” to the audience. The music by Philip is magnificent and a recorded track is used for all these numbers. The three marvelous numbers are “Rise and Walk With Me” by Christmas Past, “With All the Dreams We Share” by Belle and “God Bless Us All” by Tiny Tim. Also well done is the chorus dance in the Fezziwig scene. The London sets are by Jim Belanger and Lloyd Felix while the fabulous, gorgeous authentic costumes are by Nancy Spirito and Johnny Cagno.
Terry Simpson plays Ebenezer Scrooge. He plays this miserly curmudgeon excellently and commands the stage in this role. Terry excels in the comic scenes especially when he yells at the carolers as well as when he yells at the two solicitors. However it is in the dramatic scenes that are the most memorable including Fan’s death, the break-up with Belle, the death of Tiny Tim and in his transformation that the pathos pours out to the audience. His exuberance when he awakens on Christmas morning is stunning to behold as he dances with joyous rapture. The audience learns that Scrooge has become a better man by learning from the past, present and the future. The Turkey boy well played by Jacoby Messier helps Scrooge turn a new leaf by sending the turkey to the Cratchitts.
The four Ghosts do a marvelous job in this show, too. Geoff Monti is wonderful as Jacob Marley. He scares not only Scrooge but every person in the audience as he appears on the scene. The chains clang as he drag them across the floor. Marley stands near Scrooge’s bed with huge chains and warns him to reform his miserly ways or suffer Marley’s fate these past seven years. Monti’s delivery of these lines is frightening to behold. Christmas Past is portrayed by Maria Tavorozzi, a beautiful brunette who has a lovely singing voice in her impressive song “Rise and Walk with Me”. She chides Scrooge as he watches his younger self enjoying and loving Christmas with his sister, Fan when she arrives to take him home and again at Fezziwig’s party when he fell in love with Belle. Maria delivers the goods as she takes Scrooge on his journey of enlightenment. Young Scrooge is wonderfully played by Mike Daniels as is Roxy Johnson as little Fan. Mike is also topnotch in the break up scene. Chantell Araial is terrific as Belle, playing it with a great deal of warmth and charm. Their break up scene is poignant to observe as she hands him back the engagement ring while she sings “With All the Dreams We Share” which is gut wrenching and very beautifully rendered. The jolly employer and his wife are splendidly played by Brian Lamothe and Peirson as Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig. They lead the party festivities with gusto, bringing the necessary comic relief at this point of the show.
Christmas Present is wonderfully played by Geoff Monti. He is the dominant presence in this show while he spreads good cheer. He teaches Scrooge an important lesson on how to treat his fellow man and uses Scrooge’s words against him. The Ghost cajoles Scrooge while he shows him the plight of the Cratchit family and how his nephew, Fred is spending Christmas day. Mike Daniels is also marvelous as Fred. He brings a comic touch to the role, infusing him with energy. He is hilarious when he puts more coal in Scrooge’s heater and is comical during the party scene. His wife, Agnes is excellently played by gorgeous, brunette Chantell Araial. They have some clever banter during the party scene. Brian Lamothe also plays the Ghost of the Future and he scares the crap out of the audience as he shows Scrooge the fate that will befall him unless he repents his terrible ways. The Ghost accomplishes this by having Scrooge observe the Old Joe scene, the death of Tiny Tim and Scrooge’s own gravestone.
The Cratchit family members do a remarkable job, too. Bob Mignari as Bob handles the comic moments like being shocked by Scrooge’s transformation in the last scene and also does a nice job in the death of Tiny Tim sequence. Kristen Allen plays Mrs. Cratchit and she shines in this role, as the caring, doting mother. She and Bob display their singing voices and dancing prowess, too. Kristen is very comical when she won’t toast the old miser but becomes properly dramatic and chokes you up during the Tim death scene. Other family members include her daughter, Harper Henning as Martha and Lily Legacy as Belinda. Young Roxy Johnson also plays Tiny Tim wonderfully and delivers the “God Bless Us, Everyone” song with gusto. Other comic performers include Laurie Crabtree as Mrs. Dilber, who delivers Scrooge’s gruel, shocks him at the door, walks slowly to deliver the food to him and sells his bed clothes while John Martorella plays Old Joe. So to get into the Christmas spirit, be sure to catch “A Christmas Carol” at West Warwick High School by The Arctic Playhouse.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (6 to 9 December)
The Arctic Playhouse, West Warwick High School, 1 Webster Knight Drive, West Warwick, RI
1(401)573-3443 or www.thearcticplayhouse.com
