Arts & Entertainment

Hartford Stage's 'A Christmas Carol': A Comical Holiday Ghost Story

Avon's Eric Murphy plays Peter Cratchit alongside Bill Raymond's Scrooge in the 16th annual production of the stage company's original adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic.

The last time I saw A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas at the Hartford Stage, I went with my family as either a child or a teenager.

It was probably about 10 years ago, so all I remember is the ghosts, the red fog rising from the trap door, Bill Raymond as Scrooge, the Christmas tree at the end and the fact that I enjoyed it and wanted to see it again.

16 Years of A Christmas Carol at Hartford Stage

Experiencing the stage company's original adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic as an adult, my perspective was different and I picked up more, but I had the same reaction. I most remember the ghosts, the special effects and Scrooge, and want to see it again. 

It's the 16th year of A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas at the Hartford Stage and the 50th anniversary of the stage company on Church Street in our capitol city. Michael Wilson, who adapted the Dickens story to the Hartford Stage and is the original director, had input in the production that Maxwell Williams directs.

When Mrs. Dilber (Noble Shropshire) – fittingly played by the male actor who also does Jacob Marley – says the classic opening Charles Dickens line that Marley was "dead as a doornail," Scrooge's response, both comical and curt, is that the comment is rude. And if, after 16 years of this adaptation and 16 years of Raymond as Ebenezer, you were to call the show "dead as a doornail," Scrooge might also call you rude and, well, a Scrooge.

A better analogy might be as heartwarming as a fire (though the Similes party game popularized in the George C. Scott television film adaptation is replaced in this version with two other equally enjoyable word games in the party scene at Fred's home). In any case, it's absolutely delightful. A triumph. 

Raymond continuously pokes good-humored fun at his notable Dickens lines throughout the show from saying "Bah...humbug!" a different way each time to reiterating like a broken record that Marley died "seven years ago, this very night" (cue lightning and thunder). It seemingly gives him a string of inside jokes with the audience, paying tribute to the popular lines from the text while acknowledging the new spin Hartford Stage puts on the story.

I never would have called the original A Christmas Carol a comedy. Yes, there are the Mickey Mouse, Muppets and Mr. Magoo versions and there is a happy ending, but when you think about three spirits and Scrooge's late business partner (who died seven years ago, this very night...more thunder) visiting an old miser while he's trying to sleep, it's quite a frightening concept. But Hartford Stage's version plays up the comedy more than any adaptation of the dark and sometimes daunting story I've ever seen. The humor, music and dancing gives it a jovial tone tailored for children and adults alike. 

The show felt like a fresh experience for me, not only because I hadn't seen it in so long, but because the stage company brought new elements to it in honor of the company's 50th anniversary. 

This year's show also utilized new lighting, costumes and special effects to spruce up the production for the holidays and had a refurbished set. Some of the ghosts actually fly this year, including Marley. In addition to the usual trap doors and fog, shadows and lighting cast shapes from windows to clocks onto the wooden floor of a sometimes minimalistic set. You may also get to experience a white Christmas with Scrooge. The technical effects enhance the scenery of the picturesque London backdrop, stairs and bridge that remain throughout. 

Actors crossed the bridge periodically and become part of the scenery, from the much earlier appearance of nephew Fred's (Curtis Billings, who also plays Scrooge at 30) wife (Gillian Williams) waiting for him outside Scrooge's counting house to a mysterious woman (or ghost). 

Familiar Faces

In addition to the equity actors like Raymond, there are many local youth actors. Avon's Eric Murphy plays Peter Cratchit, Tiny Tim's (Ethan Pancoast/Fred Thornley IV) brother, in some performances (a double cast role). He was also in Macbeth at Hartford Stage and has done shows with Newington's Youth Theater and The Warner Theatre in Torrington, where he studies tap dancing. He has played viola for five years, sings in the "Arioso" choir at Avon Middle School, and does stand-up comedy. 

Sammy Weinstein, a Simsbury resident, is in the youth ensemble, playing a school boy. Last year, he was one of the child actors playing Winthrop in the Theatre Guild of Simsbury's The Music Man. 

Other locals include 

  • Lauren Cassot (Fan)– Simsbury
  • Ben Stone-Zelman (boy Scrooge/Fred's party) – West Hartford
  • Bridget Dawson (Ignorance/cider child) – West Hartford
  • Meg Conner (Claire) – West Hartford
  • Sophie Alter (spoiled child/ child at Fred's party) – West Hartford
  • John Henry Wenz (boy Scrooge/child at Fred's party) – West Hartford
A Ghost Story That Lifts Your Spirits

A warning not to use the lower exits during the show because you might see a ghost was spookily true because of how much spirits besides Christmas Past (Johanna Morrison), Present (Bert) and Future are woven into the story. Well-choreographed sequences of ghost dancers in white Victorian costumes accessorized with chains and deathly weapons and wearing smiling skull masks happen frequently as Scrooge is haunted. They move sharply and playfully, melding horror with fun that literally stares the audience in the face. 

The ghostly dancers also play living characters Scrooge's world, giving him a more prominent connection to the spirit world and showing parallel worlds and the greater context of the potential doom he faces if he does not correct his own path. You'll also notice other familiar faces in the spirit and real world characters 

Scrooge

There are many actors who have played or voiced Scrooge in adaptations over the years, including Jim Backus as the voice of Mr. Magoo in Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol in 1962, Alan Young as the voice of Scrooge McDuck in 1983, George C. Scott in a famous version of A Christmas Carol 1984, Bill Murray in the 1988 film Scrooged, Michael Caine in The Muppet Christmas Carol in 1992, Jim Carrey in the animated version in 2009, as well as James Earl Jones, Patrick Stewart, Tim Curry and many others.

Raymond brings an eccentric tone to the character of Scrooge, giving him a unique quality not often seen in the "Wicked Old Screw" – comic relief. All he has to do is move to be funny, whether it's fencing without an opponent, spending an excessive amount of time locking (and then unlocking) his desk, and carrying a heavy book up the stairs while battling an achy back. 

There is a Bilbo Baggins air about Raymond's Scrooge (yes, I have seen The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug pretty recently) that hones in on his building greed and obsession with material items. In fact, he may as well call his gold "my precious," or the doll, cider and clock he collects from his debtors in the marketplace. He covets wealth in the same way that Bilbo covets the one ring. He's also quite light on his feet like a hobbit and goes on a quest, albeit a spiritual one.

But, back to A Christmas Carol...

Williams (Fred's wife), also plays Belle, Scrooge's love interest who has fewer appearances in this story, emphasizing the "idol that has displaced [her]." Don't worry, Scrooge may have another chance to find love (you'll have to see for yourself). 

Scrooge's father is referenced in the script but omitted as a character, while the characters of Bettye Pidgeon/Old Josie (Morrison), Mr. Marvel (Michael Preston) and Bert (Rust) are added. 

Another difference from popular film adaptations is that Scrooge never sends Bob Cratchit (Robert Hannon Davis) and his family a bird, but finds another use for it as part of a re-imagined ending to the story on Hartford Stage that expands to the entire community. Davis has also appeared on Sesame Street

Raymond has quite the resume. He played Schuyler Colfax, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in Lincoln, and has been in other films and television shows. He had a Broadway stint in Gypsy and has many other impressive theater credentials.

Charles Turner, one of the solicitors in the evening performances, plays Scrooge in the matinee shows that feature many actors from The Hartt School in West Hartford. 

Other Cast Members
  • Bill Raymond: Ebenezer Scrooger (evening performances)
  • Charles Turner (student matinee performances)
  • Curtis Billings as Fred, Young Scrooge
  • Robert Hannon Davis: Bob Cratchit
  • Rebecka Jones as Mrs. Fezziwig, Mrs. Cratchit
  • Sarah Killough as Ghostly Apparition, Fred’s Sister-In-Law
  • Johanna Morrison as Bettye Pidgeon
  • Spirit of Christmas Past, Old Josie
  • Michael Preston as Mr. Marvel
  • Alan Rust as Bert, Spirit of Christmas Present, Mr. Fezziwig
  • Noble Shropshire as Mrs. Dilber
  • Jacob Marley
  • Charlie Tirrell as First Solicitor, Undertaker
  • Gillian Williams as Fred’s Wife, Belle
Cast Members from The Hartt School 
  • Lexi Alioto
  • Jenny Brescia
  • Patrick Chittendon
  • Alex Dilallo
  • Jacob Grannan
  • Michael Coale Grey
  • James Hussey
  • Laura Sue Johnson
  • Timothy Longo
  • Rebecca Maddy
  • Andrew Mazer
  • Madison Obery
  • Emmaline Riley
  • Julian Sarria
Other Youth Actors
  • Tiana N. Bailey
  • Alexander Bilodeau
  • Luciana Calcagno
  • Padraigh Fitzgerald
  • Miranda Flood
  • Silvan Friedman
  • Tyra Harris
  • Campfield Heinrich
  • Emily May
  • Aidan McMillan
  • Dermot McMillan
  • Allegra Rosa
  • Ankit Roy
  • Ava Rozmajzl
  • Aleksei Sandals
  • Brandon Szep
Acting Team and Crew
  • Tony Straiges: Scenic design 
  • Alejo Vietti: Costume design 
  • Zach Brown: Original costume design 
  • Robert Wierzel: lighting design 
  • John Gromada: Original music and sound design
  • Hope Clarke: Choreography
  • Ken Clark: Musical direction 
  • Derric Harris: Assistant choreographer
  • Gillian Lane-Plescia: Dialect coach
  • Sarah Killough: Dance captain
  • Christina Pellegrini: Youth director
A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas runs through Dec. 28 in the evenings on week and weekend nights at 7:30 p.m. and for matinee performances on Saturdays, Sundays and certain weekdays at 2 p.m.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call the box office at  860-527-5151 or visit www.hartfordstage.org.


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