It’s That Time of Year for ANW’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL

theatre review

PHOTO: Craig Schwartz | SouthPasadenan.com | Geoff Elliott as Scrooge with Deborah Strang as the Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol at A Noise Within.
PHOTO: Craig Schwartz | SouthPasadenan.com | Geoff Elliott as Scrooge with Deborah Strang as the Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol at A Noise Within.

Is it really Christmas until you’ve seen A Christmas Carol at A Noise Within? I think not. Especially considering this production is, year after year, the very best in town. From the clever adaptation to the ensemble of fine actors, sumptuous costumes and gorgeous production design, this whimsical, at times frightening, and ultimately heartwarming Christmas Carol is the must-see of the season.

PHOTO: Craig Schwartz | SouthPasadenan.com | The Cratchit Family in A Christmas Carol on stage at A Noise Within

The Geoff Elliott adaptation, fresh and infused with musical interludes, begins with a narrator, the always charming Frederick Stuart, on stage reading from a worn leather book of the Dicken’s classic. It’s a foggy day in London as the play opens on the cold, cramped office of Scrooge & Marley on Christmas Eve as we meet the cantankerous Ebenezer Scrooge berating his clerk, Bob Cratchit, along with anyone who dares to cross his path from those seeking donations for the poor, to carolers, to laughing children who get in his way. Geoff Elliott reprises the role of Scrooge, and does so with incredible surliness, contemplation and ultimately unadulterated glee.

PHOTO: Craig Schwartz | SouthPasadenan.com |
Cast at Fezziwig’s Party in the Christmas Past of A Christmas Carol

New to the role of Bob Cratchit is resident artist, Kasey Mahaffy, who brings a beautiful tenderness to the role. He is perfectly matched with the luminous Jill Hill as Mrs. Cratchit making the family scenes with the children and Tiny Tim among some of the most touching. Rafael Goldstein is a thoughtful and jovial nephew, Fred, who gets the most beautiful payoff for never losing hope for his grumpy uncle. The lovely Deborah Strang makes a gorgeous entrance as the ghost of Christmas past and is equally impressive as the singing beggar woman selling a dead man’s clothes.

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A Noise Within’s A Christmas Carol is an exquisite retelling of the ultimate story of redemption and well worth the journey.

PHOTO: Craig Schwartz | SouthPasadenan.com | The ensemble of A Christmas Carol featuring Geoff Elliott as Ebenezer Scrooge at A Noise Within

The stellar cast also includes Alan Blumenfeld as Ghost of Christmas Present, Jeremy Rabb as Marley, Eric Curtis Johnson as Bob Cratchit Dec. 20-23, Taleen Shrikian as Fred’s wife, Roshni Shukla as Belle, with Jessamyn Arnstein, Jack Elliott, Elizabeth Riley, Sam Christian, Rigel Pierce-English, Daniel Baker-Garcia, Michael Yapujian, Marc Leclerc, Katie Rodriguez, and Nick Bruno.

Tickets for A Christmas Carol, starting at $25, www.anoisewithin.org

and by phone by calling 626-356-3121.

For more information about this production, including “relaxed performances”, and the current season see here.