Theater Review

Tom Titus

Is there a work of fiction that has been read, or seen, by more men,

women and children the world over than Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas

Carol?”

Probably not, but familiarity only deepens one’s respect for this holiday

classic, an understandable choice for South Coast Repertory’s first

special production for the Christmas season. It’s over a century old, but

it still “plays.”

I wrote those lines 19 years ago in 1980, when SCR first produced what

has come to be an annual tradition, and little has happened during the

1980s or ‘90s to alter the sentiments.

Even though I’ve seen ‘em all, I still get a little misty-eyed when, on

Christmas morning, Ebenezer Scrooge becomes filled with the holiday

spirit and sets about sharing it with others.

“A Christmas Carol” has sustained this emotion over two decades because

of many factors -- Dickens’ finely crafted story, Jerry Patch’s

superlative stage adaptation, John-David Keller’s lovingly crafted

direction and, of course, the richly sinewed performance of Hal Landon

Jr. as Scrooge, a characterization he’s inhabited with heartfelt power

and affection from Day One.

This year, as usual, there are the familiar sights and sounds of SCR

“Christmas Carols” past -- particularly sounds in Garth Hemphill’s

stirring, elaborately improved sound design and Dennis Castellano’s

musical embellishments. And there are some impressive new elements, chief

among them Craig Mathers’ enthusiastic debut as the ebullient Sprit of

Christmas Present.

Landon, not content to set his interpretation in stone even after 20

years, tinkers a bit with the classic miser during the opening scenes,

lashing out with a barrage of intensity to interrupt his normally

grumbling greed merchant. His conversion scene late in the show, however,

is vintage Landon and decidedly delightful, drawing sustained applause,

as usual, for his hat-somersault stunt.

Joining Mathers and reprising their spectral roles for yet another season

are Don Took, overwhelming in his pained rage as Marley’s ghost (and

awesomely mute as the Sprit of Christmas Yet to Come), and Richard Doyle,

smoothly orchestrating Ebenezer’s journey into his childhood as the Sprit

of Christmas Past.

Director Keller steps into a familiar guise as a charity solicitor

outraged by Scrooge’s penury, along with Martha McFarland, who also gets

in some juicy stage time as the jolly Mrs. Fezziwig and an avaricious

street scavenger. Art Koustik enthusiastically reprises his dual roles as

the benevolent Mr. Fezziwig and the grasping black marketeer.

In his second turn as Bob Cratchit, David Whalen has settled nicely into

the part so identified (for 18 years) with John Ellington and truly made

it his own. Devon Raymond likewise shines as the less-charitable Mrs.

Cratchit, easing her way past Marilyn Fox in the memories of “Carol”

regular attendees.

Another new face, though hardly new to local audiences after a

distinguished amateur career at OCC, is Mark Coyan in a variety of roles,

including the hard-bitten young Jacob Marley.

Howard Shangraw -- the only actor besides Landon to have appeared in all

20 productions -- is once again splendid as Scrooge’s nephew Fred.

The Cratchit kids -- double cast, but in Sunday’s 4 p.m. production

Jackie Bruchman, Ryan Eggold, Ann Seaver and the scene-stealing Gregory

Swanson as a towheaded Tiny Tim -- add natural touches of charm, while

Alan Priester is fine as the street boy who fetches Scrooge’s turkey.

Cliff Faulkner’s smoothly transitioning settings still impress, as do

Dwight Richard Odle’s period costumes and Donna and Tom Ruzika’s

excellent lighting patterns. All have been backstage regulars since the

show’s inception.

“A Christmas Carol” shows every indication of sticking around South Coast

Repertory for another 20 seasons, by which time Landon will be pushing

80, but probably still will remain the definitive Scrooge. A rousing

“wassail” to all concerned.

‘A Christmas Carol’

* WHERE: South Coast Repertory, 625 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

* WHEN: Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 and 7:30

p.m., and Sundays at noon and 4 p.m. through Dec. 26.

* HOW MUCH: $17-$39

* PHONE: (714) 708-5555