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STC sends humbug packing with musical Dickens

I’ve always loved the Charles Dickens’ story A Christmas Carol. I watch some version or other at least once every Christmas season, anything from the grim black-and-white 1951 classic to The Muppet Christmas Carol.
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Kristian Truelsen’s turn as Ebenezer Scrooge is a delightful, musical rendition of the classic tale by Charles Dickens. Photo by Arron Pickard

I’ve always loved the Charles Dickens’ story A Christmas Carol. I watch some version or other at least once every Christmas season, anything from the grim black-and-white 1951 classic to The Muppet Christmas Carol.

It’s a terrific story of redemption and the triumph of what we think of as the true Christmas spirit — being kind to our fellow human beings. Thanks to some powerful ghosts, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge gets a frightening education about the emptiness of material wealth and the importance of generosity in time to save him from the horrible fate of his late partner, Jacob Marley.

This year, the Sudbury Theatre Centre is celebrating the Christmas season by presenting a musical adaptation of the story, first produced by Theatre New Brunswick in 2014, with the book and lyrics written by STC Artistic and Executive Director Caleb Marshall and music composed by Michael Doherty.

Whether it’s the moodiness of the tale, the strong emotions it evokes, or simply the fact it’s set at Christmas (a time powerfully associated with music), A Christmas Carol is a natural choice for a musical adaptation. The Stephen Sondheim-influenced songs and the period-style choreography go hand-in-glove with Dickens’ story.

Musical numbers include “It’s Not My Business” as Scrooge’s nephew Fred and a charity canvasser try in vain to invoke some Christmas spirit in the old miser; the nostalgic “Long, Long Forgotten” about Scrooge’s lonely youth; a poignant testimony of lost love in “Would You Make This Promise To Me Now?” (as Scrooge’s fiancée Belle realizes he’s come to love money more than her); and a musical “Christmas Blessing” that expresses both the joy of the Cratchit family gathering and their sorrow after the loss of Tiny Tim.

Some of Sudbury’s best musicians provide the live accompaniment — that’s right, live music throughout nearly the entire performance — with a great sense for the rhythms and tones of the period.

You’ll wince as Kristian Truelsen deliver’s Scrooge’s famously cruel wit, and laugh with him once he experiences his transformation (reminding me a lot of Alastair Sim’s portrayal). He’s just what the part needs. Sudbury’s Eric Belanger charms the audience as Tiny Tim, especially with his feature song, “Lost In The Snow”.

I was also impressed with the exuberance of Eric Craig as Fred, and the versatility of Lorena Mackenzie embodying several key characters including the ghost of Christmas Past. Fortunately, the whole cast is very effective in multiple roles, and the atmospheric special effects help them deliver the perfect mix of fright and fun.

There’s lots to enjoy about this Christmas Carol, so give a present of live musical theatre to yourself and the ones you love this season.

A Christmas Carol runs until Dec. 19 at the Sudbury Theatre Centre. Call the box office at 705-674-8381 x21 or buy online at SudburyTheatre.ca.

Scott Overton is the author of the thriller Dead Air. He writes theatre reviews for Northern Life.


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