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A Christmas Carol |
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Author: Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens,
Book by Mike Ockrent & Lynn Ahrens
Based upon the story by Charles Dickens
Reviewer: Carolyn Albert for Theatre Reviews Limited |
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If you haven't seen "A Christmas Carol," you must go and see what a grand spectacular show it is. Then, like me, you will want to go again every year as a magnificent way to celebrate the season with loved ones.
  
Christmas is the season for traditions and one of the most festive is the annual spectacular production of "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" that has graced the end of each year since 1994 at Madison Square Garden's festive theater. Going to see "A Christmas Carol" has become my family's portal into the holiday season and each year we enjoy the show more and more. Perhaps that's because every year it does get better and better. Indeed, this year is by far the best of all with FRANK LANGELLA as Scrooge.
As soon as we ascend the escalators to the theater, we are greeted by folks in colorful Nineteenth Century garb. There are groups of Christmas Carolers singing a cappella. Come early to browse the booths filled with lots of souvenirs and even free photos to be taken.
Enter the auditorium and be awed by the visual splendor of Victorian houses and shops, scenery that extends in a wide arc around the theater. The show opens with a colorful scene showing the people of London preparing for the next day's Christmas holiday - with one exception, the skin-flinty Ebenezer Scrooge. Langella, one of the most accomplished actors of his generation, plays the crotchety old man with credible meanness as he "Bah, hum-bug's" requests for charity for poor unfortunate people, or as he begrudges the day off for his beaten-down clerk, Bob Cratchit (warmly played by NICK CORLEY).
The ghost of his late partner, Jacob Marley (PAUL KANDEL), appears in chains to warn Scrooge of his impending fate. During the night, when the Ghost of Christmas Past (KEN JENNINGS) starts to reawaken memories of Scrooge's long ago family and love, Langella conveys the pain of startling memory so that we can see how deeply affected he is. Most enjoyably, he is possibly the most physically active of any of the actors who have played Scrooge to date, dancing joyously as he joins the high-kicking, long-legged gifts offered by the Ghost of Christmas Present (D'AMBROSE BOYD). He is believably shaken by the spectral scenes conjured by the Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-be (CHRISTINE DUNHAM.) And when he reforms, he is the jolliest of happy Scrooges yet. His singing voice is quite pleasant. This is a demanding role, and Frank Langella fills it beautifully.
The cast includes a chorus of children from four professional and public schools in the area, the voices blending sweetly in the lovely songs written especially for this show by ALAN MENKEN and LYNN AHRENS. Supporting roles are always strong, and this season has its share of sweet voices including those of young Scrooge and his sister, Fan.
SUSAN STROMAN is credited as choreographer, while her late husband, MIKE OCKRENT, still receives director's credits. This year there were a number of subtle directorial changes that strengthened the show and clarified the story. The dancing is quite elaborate and excellent, especially the grand scene at Mr. Fezziwig's Annual Christmas Ball.
Set design by TONY WALTON includes a house that takes on the appearance of Jacob Marley's ghastly face (projections of all sorts of spirits by WENDALL K. HARRINGTON), a panoply of chains and flying ghouls (Flying by FOY), and an eerie cemetery - all quite delightful, although I wondered whether small children would be terrified by the apparitions.
The special effects are heightened by all sorts of weird sounds, from clanking chains to howling ghosts (sound by TONY MEOLA), eerie lighting (JULES FISHER & PEGGY EISENHAUER), and electrifying and gorgeous costumes (WILLIAM IVEY LONG).
Even the most lavish of the Broadway shows would have difficulty presenting such a huge cast with so many special effects. This is the sort of grand spectacle that leaves us with our eyes wide open and our mouths agape.
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Produced by Radio City Entertainment (Howard Kolins, Executive Producer).
Theater: The Theater at Madison Square Garden, 32nd Street and 7th Avenue.
Schedule: Thru December 31st at 2:00 p.m. Performances Wednesday - Sunday at varying schedules. Christmas week has a Tuesday performance.
Tickets: $29, $49, $65, $90. School and senior pricing for some performances at $26. Groups of 20+ accommodated. (212) 307-4111 and Madison Square Garden box office or at www.ticketmaster.com. Reviewed by Carolyn Albert for Theatre Reviews Limited
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