Just a word out for my favorite holiday show of the season. ACT Theatre’s 34th Annual Production of A Christmas Carol completes its run this weekend. Kurt Veattie and R Hamilton Wright direct a timeless classic in ACT’s popular and intimate theatre-in-the-round, the Allen Theatre. While the production is “pure storytelling” it’s not short on theatrics and a fabulous set that transforms right in front of you. You feel like you are actually a part of Charles Dickens’ small town.
While Kurt Beattie’s return as Ebenezer Scrooge is noteworthy, this production by ACT Theatre always boasts outstanding alternating actors for the lead role, each unique in their presentation of the miserly old man.
One wonderful feature is the entire production is a brisk 90 minutes without intermission. Each scene moves at a very quick pace and puts the power of the storytelling in the hands of the actors. Before you know it you have spanned Scrooge’s entire life and his redemption is consummated.
Ian Bell plays Scrooge’s nephewThis year, Ian Bell steals the show with his portrayal of Scrooge’s enthusiastic nephew Fred Bowley and even plays the show’s brief but iconic role of the Bread Lady.
I make it a point of seeing Christmas Carol at ACT Theatre every season and year after year I cannot help still feel scared during the haunting scenes and cry over the infamous troubles of poor Tiny Tim. This year many of the actor’s faces are unfamiliar to me but everyone does an outstanding job of making a production that is both accessible and entertaining to audiences of all ages.
Only four shows remain. Two on Saturday Dec. 26 and two on Sunday Dec. 27. Don’t miss this! And don’t be late because late seating is in the back of the theater, however, every seat in the Allen Theatre is a good seat.
For more info and tickets, visit www.acttheatre.org.
