Sunday, December 6, 2009
TRACEY D’ASTOLFO
Vindicator Correspondent
SALEM — If a production of “A Christmas Carol” leaves you with sympathy for Ebenezer Scrooge, then you know it’s been done right.
That’s the case with Salem Community Theatre’s rich working of Charles Dickens’ classic tale, which opened Friday.
“Carol” is a study on how childhood circumstances leave wounds on the psyche that never go away. The scars that remain still protect those wounds and color every action.
We see this plainly in SCT’s remarkable work, thanks to a brilliant performance by Lee Iden as Scrooge, and director Dick Fawcett’s crisp and seamless staging.
“Carol” is a holiday staple, but because Salem’s cast unveils the humanity within, the audience is left with renewed admiration for the story.
Iden is so natural as Scrooge that one assumes he’s done the role several times. According to the playbill, his first appearance in the iconic role was in 1983. In the quarter- century since, he has certainly grown into the role physically and probably also in his understanding of it.
Iden delivers, in turn, contempt, anger, fear, anguish, desperation and, finally, release in a performance that should put him in position for accolades. His emotions seem to come from deep within and can’t be bottled up.
Salem’s production includes a giant cast of about 50 adults and children and includes multiple scene changes. It’s not a simple affair to stage such a lush production with smooth scene transitions and rapid pacing. It is hard to find a flaw.
The troupe pays homage to Dickens by utilizing the writer as narrator. Bruce Marhefka voices Dickens, and it’s a nice touch, although the long narrative passages sometimes have a dulling effect on the delivery.
Salem has come to be known for its excellent sets and use of theatrical effects, and “Carol” is no exception. It’s a believable re-creation of place and tone.
The builders of the modular set pieces combine exquisite detail with versatility. A street scene in mid-1800s England quickly morphs into Scrooge’s bedroom, then Bob Cratchit’s house.
Special effects are used to great effectiveness in the ghostly visits and also when Scrooge sees the face of his late business partner on his door knocker.
Attention to the little things pays big dividends in the production: take the “snow” that rests on the windowsills and the weathered look of the wood and stone. These and other details — a flickering flame in a light post, an antique copper tea kettle — show the devotion of the crew.
Coupled with the fine cast, it’s a case of the total being greater than the sum of its parts.
The ghosts are played by Terrence S. Krepps (a ghastly Jacob Marley, who had a very human hoarse throat on opening night); Kathy Fawcett (Christmas Past); and director Dick Fawcett in a grand get-up (Christmas Present). As for the Ghost of Christmas Future — a hooded spectre who does not speak — that’s a mystery. The playbill credits a Mr. Reaper, first name, Grim.
Tim Gotschling is Bob Cratchit, and Kelly Laubacher is Mrs. Cratchit.
Little expense is spared in costuming, which reflects the era in both high-fashion and impoverished shabbiness. Carolyn Saunders is SCT’s costume mistress.
Music directors Gary and Cheryl Kekel embellish the proceedings by utilizing some madrigal-type instruments and filling set changes with vocal interludes.
X“A Christmas Carol” will be presented at 2 p.m. today; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. next Sunday. Salem Community Theatre is at 490 E. State St.,Salem. Call (330) 332-9688.