By Marilyn Jozwik
In Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” Scrooge declares after his redemption, “I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy.”
In its presentation of the Dickens classic, Lake Country Playhouse captures a lighter Scrooge, a Scrooge who seems open to changing his miserly ways early on in this musical version by Ernest Brusubardis, with lyrics and adaptation by Michael Koscinski.
“A Christmas Carol The Musical,” directed by Robert Hurd Sr., has a festive feel starting with a sextet of costumed female performers presenting several carols with lovely, lilting voices and harmonies before the action begins. Act Two opens with the entire cast, each holding candles in the darkness, singing an enchanting rendition of “Carol of the Bells.” Catherine Pfeiler directs the music for the show.
Robb Bessey plays Scrooge with familiar gruffness in the opening scenes as he rebuffs carolers, fundraisers and his merry nephew Fred (Max Levine) before he heads home from his office on Christmas Eve.
There he is visited by the ghost of his late partner Marley, played by Rebecca Richards. Richards’ Marley is not the enraged, chain-rattling Marley whose entrance is often eerie, clamorous and frightening. This Marley enters in a smoky haze and has long gray locks looking more witchlike than ghostlike. The specter is more pitiful than scary, wailing in despair about missed opportunities in life that forged the chains now required in death, while strongly urging Scrooge to not repeat his partner’s mistakes. I liked this gentler take on Marley that focused on his message more than theatrics.
As the Ghost of Christmas Past, Cayla Anderson enters clad in an elaborate, gauzy white angelic costume, moving lightly and gracefully as she entreats Scrooge to “open your mind” in one of Brusubardis’s lovelier tunes. The scenes retreat in time to the shop of Fezziwig (Brian Wochle), where the youthful Scrooge toiled, and a merry holiday party with some nicely done dancing. Later Scrooge and ghost revisit the young Scrooge (Scott Tracy) and his fiancée Belle (Johanna Lee), who sings a lovely tune of how Scrooge’s love of money has tainted their relationship.
Terry Haller gets Act Two started with a fun-filled portrayal of the Ghost of Christmas Present, frolicking with the reserved Scrooge and dousing all with sprinkles of good cheer. I really enjoyed Haller’s whimsical portrayal and Bessey’s reactions, which gradually warm to the cheery ghost’s antics. In the Cratchit home, Emma Bond as Mrs. Cratchit cradles Tiny Tim (Joey Radtke) while beautifully singing an enchanting lullaby that the youngster nicely adds to. The family, headed by Bob Cratchit’s (Danny Polanski) strong, pleasant vocals, intones a song of thanks.
The story moves swiftly through the final scenes, including a jolly dance and song presented by Mrs. Shelby (Kathy Voigt) and Old Joe (Richard Levine) as they sort through the dead Scrooge’s effects. I enjoyed Voigt’s comic touch and Cockney accent as well as Levine’s verve. Bessey’s Scrooge completes his transformation in song.
The entire cast returns for a final festive tune, leaving all to depart in a holiday spirit.
A new lighting system over the stage is put to the test, enhancing moods with color and dramatic effects. Sam Schulenburg handles the light board. Handsome backstage panels easily fold to create different settings. Costumed actors quickly and easily turn the panels between scenes, sometimes dancing across the stage to complete their task.
At the Sunday matinee we attended, a number of youngsters – some younger than 5 – seemed enthralled by the family-friendly show.
If you go:
Who: Lake Country Playhouse
What: “A Christmas Carol: The Musical”
When: Through Dec. 12
Where: 221 E. Capitol Drive, Hartland
Info/Tickets: LakeCountryPlayhouseWi.org