Theater Notes: A play for everyone’s Christmas stocking
The BIG ARTS Strauss Theater has a genuine hit for all of us this Christmas Season. They have a brilliant fresh version of A Christmas Carol” playing right up through Dec. 23. I’m still beaming and glowing from what I experienced on Opening Night. You must not miss it.
Many of you in the past have seen somewhere “A Christmas Carol.” Probably, more than once. Most of you have pleasant memories of it. But, this one will top all of those. Here in Sanibel, there is a different version. It is definitely not the same old, same old. No one fell asleep. It truly is alive, full of innovation, creativity, and above all, a true celebration to support the wisdom from Tiny Tim’s lips of what the holiday can really be.
You sense it right away. We are greeted by a violin player and her haunting strings as she walks a circle in front of a brilliant projected holiday place we are invited into. We meet the people we expect to meet. Scrooge, of course, marvelously played by Rob Somers. Regulars remembered him as Henry Ford from “(Camping With Henry and Tom) last season. There is Marley’s ghost, noisy and violent, ably portrayed by Galloway Stevens. We sympathize with Bob Cratchit, a delightful Tiny Tim, Scrooge’s nephew, and an intriguing assortment of women in different roles. There isn’t a bad performance in the whole play and that I suspect is due to the fine director imported from Indiana to work his magic here, Jeff Stockburger.
So many of the scenes are short and to the point. For example, the one with two women who try to get Scrooge to give some money for a charity helping with food for the poor. He turns them down. “No.” And asks, “Are there not prisons? Are there not work houses? Let them get fed there or just die.”
The fine script makes us wonder just what are our causes we support and fund? All through the evening, there is a cry for compassion. It felt so contemporary, particularly so close to the election.
As always, the production values at The BIG ARTS Strauss are superb. Bobby Logue, theater artistic director, has rounded up some real pros. Adam Trummel, technical director/ scenic and lighting designer joins with sound designer, Christopher Bright and Jorge Corral, sound engineer to fill that hall to make the rafters ring. Sami Doherty, the Costume Designer has worked wonders with totally seasonal costumes for more than a dozen roles. Lucky us to benefit from such professional attention.
I will close by just saying that this is a feel-good evening, yet one with real social issues. Children of all ages will get a lot out of the play. I urge you to invite many friends to join you in brightening the holiday by coming to a delightful night or matinee of top flight theater. It takes you on a journey just as it takes Scrooge led by his three guides. The writing is very, very good. You cannot sit there and not care. It all ends up with a sweet jubilation and that’s just what great theater should be.
I anticipate sell out dates. Call the box office at (239) 472-6862 and have the gracious Janet Scully get you tickets or check online at BIGARTS.org and add this wonderful show to your happy holidays.