What’s Christmas without a production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) on a local stage? Sonoma Arts Live fills the bill with their production of Scrooge! The Musical. The SAL production runs at the Sonoma Community Center through Dec. 21.
The stage version, which Leslie Bricusse adapted himself from his 1970 movie musical starring Albert Finney, adheres pretty closely to the film, as it tells Dickens’ tale of redemption of cold-hearted miser Ebenezer Scrooge through song and dance.
It’s a pretty solid production of the ol’ chestnut. Projections (by Gene Abravaya) help expand the confines of the small Rotary stage and transport the cast to various scenes and structures in Victorian England. Colorful costumes by cast member Barbara McFadden also provide great support in establishing the period.
Director Larry Williams leads the cast of 18 as Scrooge, with Owen Hardisty as Bob Cratchit, David Shirk as Jacob Marley, McFadden and Cat Smith as the Christmas ghosts, and Kathryn Arisman as Tiny Tim.
It’s a good mixture of veteran performers and relative newcomers. Scrooge is a good role for Williams, and he does a fine job with the character’s journey from heartless skinflint to loving member of the community.
Shirk as the Ghost of Jacob Marley (in another excellent costume) shakes things up with his warning to Scrooge to straighten up or be doomed to his fate. McFadden and Smith have fun with the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present, and Thaddeus Louviere does very well leading the rousing “Thank You Very Much” number.
Among the younger cast, the performances of Andrew Herold as nephew Fred and Addie Lowe as Scrooge’s fiancé Belle stood out, as did the vocals of Autumn Terradista.
This production uses musical tracks. And while the depth and heart that live music brings to a show was missing, the vocal work by the cast (under Sherrill Peterson’s musical direction) does a lot to compensate for the loss. The choreography by Bridget Codoni, though limited in nature by the relatively small space, was well executed by the cast.
Director Williams made a few odd blocking choices, and the first act’s conclusion and exit was a bit of a mess. But he kept things moving, and the show came in under two hours, including an intermission.
All in all, SAL’s Scrooge! The Musical is a well-delivered version of the quintessential holiday show.
‘Scrooge! The Musical’ runs through Dec. 21 on the Rotary Stage at Andrews Hall in the Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma. Thurs–Sat, 7:30pm. Sat & Sun, 2pm. $30–$45. 866.710.8942. sonomaartslive.org.
