For 25 years, the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) has produced A Christmas Carol to get everyone into the holiday spirit. The story itself, written by Charles Dickens in 1843, is as familiar (and relevant) to today’s audience as ever. Scrooge (played by Ryan Artzberger) is a, well, Scrooge — a wealthy businessman who lacks compassion for his fellow man and seems to hold the poor in contempt. His worker, Bob Cratchit (Joshua Coomer) and his family, poor in finances but rich in spirit, keep Christmas as best they can. Scrooge is visited by his dead former business partner Marley (Charles Goad), who warns him that he will be visited by three ghosts: Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Scrooge is taken back to his past, to happier days he has forgotten, then to the present at his nephew’s (Will Mobley) home full of merriment and Cratchit’s home with its meager joys, including the ever-optimistic Tiny Tim (Teddy Rayhill). He meets two specters — Ignorance and Want — that terrify him. Then, he sees a glimpse of a future Christmas, where he sees that all his wealth will come to naught. On awakening from these visitations, Scrooge is a changed man, and finds the Christmas spirit before it is too late for his soul.
The IRT’s A Christmas Carol assembles a fine cast, with David Alan Anderson, Charles Goad, Mark Goezinger, Constance Macy, Jennifer Johansen, and several young actors each playing several roles. A spectacular snowy set by Russell Metheny, costumes by Murell Horton, plus the fine direction of Courtney Sale emphasize the transformation of Scrooge without overt sentimentality. This year’s performance has some mildly scary surprises, particularly in the entrance of Marley’s ghost through the floor, and the backlit grim presence of Christmas Future.
Artzberger gives a terrific performance as Scrooge, without falling into the caricature trap that many actors fall into when playing such an iconic literary figure. Constance Macy is delightful as the dizzy Mrs. Fezziwig.
No matter how many times you see A Christmas Carol, you come away with a feeling of goodwill — and this production’s joyous ending will bring a tear to the eye and gladness to the heart.
A Christmas Carol continues through December 26 on the Mainstage. Visit www.irtlive.com for tickets and details on upcoming performances and special events.
