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A
Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story
is a raging success
Only a few
performances left for this incredible holiday treat
By Tommy Rocco
A&E Writer
Posted 12/10/2007
I must say that the ninth annual
production of A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story, presented by Community
Players at Cedar Ridge Community of Christ at 3220 Bell Rd., absolutely
blew my mind.
Upon entering the theater, I was simply
expecting at yet another church Christmas play that would warm the
heart, but not open my eyes, to a brand new vision of a timeless work of
art like this Dickens classic. Boy was I wrong.
When the curtains opened and I first saw
the magnificent six story stage, I was immediately drawn into the story.
Then, when the players began speaking in haunting yet impeccable British
accents, I was even further impressed.
As the play progressed and the production
incorporated beautiful choreography, brilliant harmonic singing and
magic literally happening before my eyes, I forgot I was in a quaint
church and felt more like I was on Broadway enjoying a professionally
produced show.
And that is what David Hutson, director,
adaptation writer, producer, set and light designer has proven to be; a
professional with talent that far exceeds what many of us would expect
from such a small production in such a small church.
The collaboration of the actors was
unparalleled, and Garrett Steele, who played Ebenezer Scrooge, was
astounding. The crowd watched him transform from a mean old miser into a
character who has learned the err of his ways, finally ready to embrace
the Christmas spirit, and life in general, with a brand new perspective.
The rest of the cast was super talented
as well, and not one of the actors missed their mark even once during
the entire production. It was breathtaking to see actors of such varied
ages and experience working so mesmerizingly well together.
I must say this: not to sound over the
top, but for the whole of the play I truly felt like I was floating
through the haunted imagination of Charles Dickens himself. Hutson
decided to produce this adaptation in a style called "story theater,"
and he stayed as true to Dickens’ original text as possible. His efforts
truly paid off, as this is one of the best plays I’ve seen in a long
time, perhaps ever. And I don't say that lightly.
The only negative experience I can muster
up about the performance was there were too many empty chairs in the
audience. If you enjoy great theater, tell your loved ones to grab their
coats and accompany you to an evening of sheer brilliance. What better
way to celebrate the holiday season?
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