A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Dallas Theater Center
Kalita Humphreys Theater, 3636 Turtle Creek Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75204
John Strange
This fresh telling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol utilizes the theater’s revolving stage to bring scene changes as well as different looks at scenes as they played out. The director, Joel Ferrell, choreographed the action in all three dimensions which included a character on stilts and an ensemble approach to the songs.
Kurt Rhoads portrays Ebenezer Scrooge with a deft touch to his mannerisms and style as the crotchety old man has his eyes opened by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. The costuming of the three ghosts was very interesting. The Ghost of Christmas Past was played by a woman in a gentleman’s gentry-inspired outfit, in silver with her hair and make-up also in silver. The Ghost of Christmas Present was in colorful outfit (possibly Druid-inspired) as the ensemble sang of wassailing (drinking hot mulled cider). The Ghost of Christmas Future is a classic Grim-reaper-inspired outfit complete with stilts but with a huge pen instead of the traditional scythe.
The rest of the cast are excellent; standouts include Steven Michael Walters (Fred, Scrooge’s nephew), Abby Siegworth (Ghost of Christmas Past), David Ryan Smith (Ghost of Christmas Present), Vanessa Gibens (Belle) and Kuran Patel (Tiny Tim). The ensemble cast’s songs were the glue that tied the scenes together.
The play is a good investment for the family. The Kalita Humphreys Theater’s acoustics and sightlines make all of the worth the money spent.
Directed and Choreographed by: Joel Ferrell
Starring:
Kurt Rhoads as Ebenezer Scrooge
and
Brierley Resident Acting Company members:
Lee Trull
Abbey Siegworth
Steven Michael Walters
SMU Meadows School of the Arts students
Wendy Blackburn
Vanessa Gibens
Jason Moody
and
Tatiana Angustia
Jonathan Brooks
Trey Cheatham
Drew Favors
Mark Fisher
Emily Gray
Ashley Puckett Gonzales
Brian Gonzales
Nathan May
Marlhy Murphy
Kuran Patel
Paloma Renteria
Lauren Riley
Alex Ross
Joanna Schellenberg
David Ryan Smith
Ben Villaseñor
Show Dates and Times:
November 25th – December 24th
Wed-Sat: 7:30pm (plus Sunday, 12/11 and 12/18; Tuesday, 12/20)
Matinees:
Sat-Sun: 2pm
Student Matinee Dates: Nov 29, 30, and Dec 2, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, and 15 at 10:30am
Ticket Prices: $15.00-$85.00
Website: http://www.dallastheatercenter.org/show_details.php?sid=42
Music Direction: Lindy Heath Cabe
Scenic Design: Bob Lavallee
Costume Design: Wade Laboissonniere
Lighting Design: Matthew Richards
Lighting Design Associate: Aaron Johansen
Sound Design: Curtis Craig
Dialect Coach: Emily Gray
Production Manager: David Lee Kelting
Stage Manager: Caron Gitelman Grant
Assistant Stage Manager: Korey Kent
Casting: Lee Trull
