Holiday traditions, whether it’s the mushroom soup casserole with bacon bits or the stringing of the lights on the porch, can get old and stale. Let’s face it: Everyone takes a polite spoonful of the casserole and then scrapes it off when no one is looking, and pretends it’s fun when their fingers freeze untangling the lights from year to year. But some traditions, like the family going to the Indiana Repertory Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol, are ones we geniunely look forward to. In fact, every year the company seems to make the show sparkle a little brighter.
The Dickens tale is familiar: mean-spirited Mr. Scrooge abuses his poor employee Mr. Crachit and pushes everyone away in his quest for greater profit. His crankiness and refusal to make connections to other humans, especially those less fortunate, on Christmas Eve leads to late night visitations of the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future. The visions of a terrifying future and difficult present, in contrast with a more joyful and loving past, push Scrooge into self-realization. He awakens a new man — and makes amends for his stingy ways.
This is the 25th year for A Christmas Carol at the IRT and it is a fresh take, emphasizing how cut off from community Scrooge is. It isn’t that he’s stingy (though his uncharitable side is clear), it is that he has shoved all emotion deep down since his business partner Marley’s death. He’s pushed aside the company of his nephew and any family he might have, has no friends, and keeps Cratchit distant with his harsh words and unkindness. Despite poor treatment, those who wish to love and respect him never seem to give up on old Scrooge — a fact he realizes to his shame when he sees the Cratchits toast his health despite his meanness toward Bob thanks to the Ghost of Christmas Present.
IRT stalwarts Ryan Artzberger as Scrooge, Rob Johansen in several key roles, the delightful Constance Macy as Mrs. Fezziwig, Robert Neal, Charles Goad, and Milicent Wright playing a number of roles provide strong and sparkling performances. IRT newcomer Jeremy Fisher as Bob Cratchit played the role of the downtrodden clerk with spine and grit, especially in the love and care for his family. The young actors, especially Sophaia Prabhu-Hensley as Tiny Tim, that comprise the Cratchit family were on point and energetically talented. This year’s director, Executive Artistic Director Janet Allen, has done a splendid job making A Christmas Carol lively and rich in surprises and movement. Kudos also to the scenic designer Russell Metheny for a compact design, and the great costumes of Murell Horton, who managed to capture the fripperies of Victorian clothing without going overboard.
A Christmas Carol continues until Dec. 24 at the IRT Mainstage, 140 W. Washington St. Reserve tickets now by calling 635-5252 or visit www.irtlive.com.
