Written by orange• December 10, 2024• 7:46 pm• Costa Mesa, South Coast Repertory, Theater, Uncategorized

A Christmas Carol @ South Coast Repertory – Review

photo credit: SCR

Written by Diana Michelle Robles

Faith in humanity may be hard to have at times, but stories like Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, currently being performed at South Coast Repertory, serve as reminders to persist.

South Coast’s latest rendition holds the original text close to its heart while translating its timeless message through an all-around inspiring production.

Story:

Ebenezer Scrooge is one of the most sour characters in fiction, way up there with the other Christmas Icon he inspired, The Grinch. Yet his heart is able to thaw after a bit of self-reflection. He certainly represents the worst parts of ourselves, and his character development shows our capacity to change for the better.

After 180 years of celebration and retellings, A Christmas Carol is a story we’re all likely to be familiar with, even in parts. You know, “Bah Humbug,” the three ghosts, the red scarf— it’s a classic. Yet, what captures the hearts of so many year after year is its reassurance, which is what this production puts at its forefront.

Richard Doyle and Michael Manuel in SCR’s 2024 production of A Christmas Carol

Acting:

Richard Doyle excelled as Scrooge in both of his phases. As much as he was a covetous, old grouch at the play’s start, he ends up being equally as delightful and giddy at its end, which is perhaps the most wonderful to see.

But success in the cast is not exclusive to its leading man, as I could not single out even one shaky performance. This company blended its talents with the 19th-century setting beautifully, and everything was just in order. Most exciting to see were parts with the whole cast, like the street or party scenes, where this collaboration becomes totally apparent.

Set:

In a show where the stages of a person’s life are so important, it’s important to set the stage up for greatness, which is precisely what Scenic Designer Thomas Buderwitz accomplishes here.

The set was awe-inspiring. The combination of attention to detail, an eye for props, and special effects took the show to another level. This play also had an impressive lighting design that took us to a glimmering past and a dark future.

Isaac Person, Preston Maybank, Penelope Main, Melody Butiu, Quinn Garcia, and Natalie Yokota in SCR’s 2024 production of A Christmas Carol

Costumes:

What is worn on stage is very telling, and this is especially true for A Christmas Carol. That fabulous red scarf isn’t solely a scarf but a symbol of change in virtue. As for old Scrooge’s hat, it gets its own jolly upgrade, which is pleasant to see.

Entertainment:

A Christmas Carol is a classic for its timelessness and digestibility. People, young and old, recognize the value of its transformative theme.

While fresh takes on the story are welcome and exciting. I don’t think anything could be quite the same as seeing it the way Dickens envisioned it, which is what South Coast Repertory accomplished here. It makes for a great, festive night to share with your loved ones and may cure your cynicism this holiday season.