Dallas Theater Center presents A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol
Based on the novel by Charles Dickens
Adapted by Kevin Moriarty
Directed by Alex Organ
Choregraphed by Joel Ferrell
Music Directed by Gary Adler
Scenic Design by Beowulf Boritt
Costume Design by Jen Caprio
Lighting Design by Jeff Croiter
Sound Design by Broken Chord
Hair, Wig, and Makeup Design by Valerie Gladstone
with
Lucas Bierrenbach
Benjamin Brown
Kieran Connolly
Chloe Chromley
Sabrina Daly
Nastassia Dominique
Sarah Gay
Kat Glaze
Felix Gooden
Nicolette Gosselin
Claire Greenberg
Olivia de Guzman
Wyatt Hartz
Sam Henderson
Bob Hess
Ivan Jasso
Skylar Johnson
Sophie Rose Kirkham
Christina Austin Lopez
Vivian Martin
Alyssa Melton
Olivia Meredith
Ethan Ross Newell
Sally Nystuen Vahle
Randy Pearlman
Rachel Nicole Poole
Christopher Llewyn Ramirez
Amber Rossi
Tiffany Solano
Eduardo Velez III
Esteban Vilchez
Zachary J. Willis
My thoughts on A Christmas Carol or…tidings of comfort and joy.
For thousands of people in DFW missing A Christmas Carol at Dallas Theater Center would be as unthinkable as forgetting to put up a tree. It’s a celebration of the season and of life itself.
There is comfort and joy in abundance in this latest version of A Christmas Carol. Cast perfectly and directed with a skilled and loving hand by Alex Organ, the Dickens classic is at once familiar and new. Beowulf Boritt’s set and Jeff Croiter’s lighting continue to impress. Jen Caprio’s costumes are character defining and the gowns of the upper-class women are dazzling, especially when moving to Joel Ferrell’s merry choreography. The real “newness” this year is the addition of much more music. Music Director Gary Adler adds more songs, onstage musicians, and brings an increased depth to many scenes by underscoring them.
There are so many fine performances in A Christmas Carol that listing them all would take until…Christmas. However, some must be noted. Sally Nystuen Vahle is a shrill and terrifying Jacob Marley and a delightful money-grubbing Old Joe. Randy Pearlman is a charming and lively Fezziwig, and the effervescent Sarah Gay is his missus. Tiffany Solano is a heartbreaking Ghost of Christmas Past. Christina Austin Lopez brings both charm and pathos to Belle and wide-eyed wonder to Lucy. Christopher Llewyn Ramirez, who can say so much with just a look or small gesture, makes Scrooge’s nephew Fred faithful, caring, and ever hopeful. Esteban Vilchez, who has phenomenal stage presence and a beautiful voice, makes Young Scrooge’s journey from happy young man to a man driven by greed believable and sorrowful. Ivan Jasso and Rachel Nicole Poole capture our sympathy as the struggling Crachits, trying to make their lives as cheerful as possible despite their poverty and the illness of their youngest son. Jasso has a remarkably moving moment when he comes home from visiting his son’s grave and Poole’s expressive eyes show every bit of the anguish of a despairing mother. Poole also provides the most hauntingly beautiful scene of the musical with her solo in a Welsh hymn at her son’s funeral. And as Tiny Tim, Skylar Johnson couldn’t be more adorable as he blesses every one of us.
The central character in this tale of sin and redemption is, of course, Ebenezer Scrooge and I admired Kieran Connolly’s interpretation of the character. His Scrooge is not the bombastic misanthrope as many have portrayed him. Connolly’s Scrooge is a sort of impish curmudgeon who never completely lost his sense of humor during all those years of stockpiling wealth. He also has never forgotten that he was once a man who loved and was loved. Giving Scrooge these “layers” of emotion makes Connolly’s portrayal all the more powerful and emotionally satisfying when he realizes his past mistakes and vows to keep Christmas always in his heart.
Director Organ keeps Dallas Theater Center’s annual presentation of this classic in top form. It sparkles and shines. Seeing A Christmas Carol at DTC is like placing the star atop your tree, your holiday would be incomplete without it. These are indeed tidings of comfort and joy.
