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South Pasadena has a new holiday tradition – the simply enchanting re-telling of A Christmas Carol, now in its second year at South Pasadena Theatre Workshop. Premiering last year, the production brings back most of the original cast with some delightful additions and is helmed by SPTW Managing Director, Stephen Godwin.
Dickens’ tale of the irascible miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, a man given a chance at redemption through ghostly visitations on Christmas Eve, is brought to life by a stellar cast in this nimble 55-minute show that delivers both visually and emotionally. The Dennis Powers and Laird Williamson adaptation is pared down in a way that powerfully delivers the heart of the story without sacrificing any of the beautiful and deliciously comical language of Dickens’ original work. The dreamy Leigh Allen lighting – the spare, naturalistic sets by Clay Wilcox and Andrew Tippie – the haunting, ethereal Nick Foran sound design and the sensitive direction by Godwin work in synergy to create a quietly poignant Christmas Carol that warms the cockles of the heart.
Taking us on this sweeping adventure is Robert Cesario, reprising his role as Scrooge, in a delightful turn that is breathtakingly grounded and beautifully vulnerable. He is equally captivating at Scrooge’s surliness as his eventual giddiness – bringing out both the comedy and pathos of every scene he is in. Also reprising roles are Kila Packett as Scrooge’s clerk, Bob Cratchit, once again mesmerizing in the role along with playing a joyful Fezziwig and other characters. Every actor in the small but mighty cast takes on multiple roles, moving seamlessly in and out of them with the simple addition of a hat, prop, and accent. Rather than one narrator, several actors step out of the action to let us know what’s coming with the ever irrepressible Sally Smythe leading us off, afterwhich she takes on the scary incarnation of Scrooge’s long-dead partner, Jacob Marley. Don’t forget folks, this is a ghost story after all!
New to the cast is Schuyler Mastain taking on the role of Scrooge’s nephew Fred and gives him an infectious Christmas spirit and a very moving chemistry with Cesario in the later scenes. Young Scrooge is played with energy and indignation by the charming Christian Labertew who, along with the lovely Lauren Vogel as Belle, allows us to see and feel the young love shared between them. Michaela Ivey is back as a feisty Mrs. Cratchit and an exquisite Ghost of Christmas Past – appearing to almost float. Also returning is the dynamic Daisy Donohue in her striking turn as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Her daring costume is just one of the ingenious innovations employed in the show. The children are splendidly played by Oona Bea Cassell, Alice Marie, and G. Livius Rajan.
If you are looking for something that taps into the true meaning of Christmas, I urge you to see this unique, sweetly familiar yet decidedly fresh interpretation of one of the most enduring stories of redemption ever told.
For Tickets please visit the ticket page for SouthPasadenaTheatreWorkshop
$30 for adults, $20 for students, $25 for seniors. Some tickets to be sold at door cash only first come first serve.
A message from Sally and the cast – “Please support live theatre. You won’t be disappointed. Actors who have endured a long strike deserve our support. What a marvelous Christmas gift to share with others.”
The show runs 1 hour with no intermission. Children over 5 years old are welcome.
December 1-17, 2023
Fridays at 7:00pm | Saturdays & Sundays at 5:00pm
at South Pasadena Theatre Workshop
1507 El Centro Street, South Pasadena
General Admission: $30
Use promo code CHILD to get a $10 discount off child tickets and promo code SENIOR to get a $5 discount off senior tickets!
