By Ruth Ferguson
NDG Editor
Virginia, there might be a Santa Claus but he would probably be shaking in his boots during the early scenes of this year’s Dallas Theater Center’s A Christmas Carol. DTC Associate Artist Joel Ferrell the director and choreographer this year is probably more of a fan of The Night Before Christmas than It’s A Wonderful Life – something older children will love but perhaps might find a little too intense for younger siblings.
Attending the production on Friday, December 2 with 9-year-old girls and an 11-year-old boy, they loved the dramatic entrance of the ghost of Jacob Marley resplendent in chains. In the beloved Charles Dickens holiday tale, Marley encourages Ebenezer Scrooge to change his ways. If not his actions will create an unbreakable chain he will wear throughout eternity.
The play is not all dark and doom.
“We’ve been certain to include the festive music, lively dancing and Christmas ghosts that audiences have come to love so well,” says Ferrell. “We have also added a few surprises in the performances, staging and design that will delight theater-goers, young and old.”
Ferrell’s observation is on the mark regarding the stage design. It is not elaborate, in fact when you enter the theater it seems stark for this legendary play. However, as Bob Lavallee’s (the scenic designer) vision unfolds, the audience finds it is creative design. The design does a great job of transitioning the story to a lighter mood as Scrooge finds his way.
Kurt Rhoads, has a long illustrious association with DTC, but this is his first appearance in the lead role of Scrooge. Two other performers actually steal Rhoads thunder a bit. Lee Trull (The Tempest, Cabaret) as the sensitive and caring Bob Cratchit and Steven Michael Walters (The Tempest, Henry IV) as brings a delightful sense of humor to the role of Scrooge’s nephew Fred. Trull as the long-suffering Bob Cratchit elevates the role from being a doormat to a loving father who is patient and continually puts people before
For many families, DTC’s annual production is a must do Christmas season event. This year should be no exception.
A Christmas Carol is on stage at the Kalita Humphreys Theater through Christmas Eve. The theater is located at 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd. (at Blackburn). Performance times are Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.; select Tuesday and Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m.; and select Thursday and Friday matinees at 2 p.m. The performance times for Saturday, December 24 (Christmas Eve), are 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Base ticket prices are $15-$85 and are available by visiting our website at www.DallasTheaterCenter.org or by calling the box office at 214-880-0202.
