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Actors
In Ivy Cast Redeem A Christmas Carol
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Kerri
Kanelos
December
4th 2005 |
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 The
holiday season is all about redemption, making
up for a year's worth of unkindness, greediness,
and other darker aspects of humanity. Fortunately,
with some the help of some very talented actors,
Trinity Repertory is able to redeem itself
with the Ivy Cast of this year's A Christmas
Carol.
Timothy Crowe,
a well seasoned Scrooge and Trinity veteran,
owns the role of Christmas' most notoriously
loveable grouch. One can truly feel the whole
character through Crowe-a sad man in every
aspect of his life who can still muster up
a chuckle or two. It is especially rewarding
and uplifting to watch him dance around the
stage and overwhelmingly begin to enjoy life
on the morning of Christmas.
Equally as important
to this performance is Fred Sullivan Jr.,
who plays Scrooge's former partner Jacob Marley
as well as some smaller roles throughout the
performance. As Marley clings to life and
calls out to his partner Scrooge in the beginning
of the performance, Sullivan Jr. writhes in
agony-clawing along the ground, falling into
the snow and letting out one last breath.
He and Cynthia Strickland also provide some
much-needed humor during a few scenes of Christmas
cheer at Fred's house. Sullivan Jr. dipped
Strickland and planted a passionate kiss on
her lips; the audience roared with laughter
when the two switched roles.
Trinity regular
Janice Duclos nailed her role as Scrooge's
chambermaid Mrs. Partlet. When Scrooge redeems
himself on Christmas morning and offers Mrs.
Partlet a bag of gold coins as an offering
of good tidings, Duclos is so flustered over
her master's generosity that she screams her
way off the stage. She also adds dimension
to the role of Mrs. Fezziwig. Additionally,
Stephen Thorne plays an upbeat, heartwarming
Bob Cratchit.
Technically,
the show still has a few fatal flaws. The
music often drowns out the cast's singing,
which isn't a major problem during the traditional
holiday songs. However, it is difficult to
understand the words to the songs that move
the story's plot along. It is also quite a
distraction to see the behind-the-scenes mechanics
that bring A Christmas Carol to life-moving
chains, green gaffer tape holding things together,
and visible theatre techs take away the holiday
magic.
Although this
year's rendition of the Dickens classic feels
rather empty compared to Trinity Rep's other
attempts, A Christmas Carol remains
an annual New England tradition for many families.
For the best experience, make sure to ask
for the Ivy cast. The show runs through December
24th. Contact the box office (401-351-4242)
for tickets or visit www.trinityrep.com. |
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