"A Christmas Carol" - Adaptation by Troy Siebels - Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts (Worcester, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: John Little as "Ebenezer Scrooge" in Troy Siebels' adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. through December 22, 2024. Photo Credit: David Costa Photography)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor."
- Charles Dickens
The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts
Presents its Annual Production of
Charles Dickens'
"A CHRISTMAS CAROL"
Written by Charles Dickens
Adapted and Directed by Troy Siebels
Choreographer Ilyse Robbins^
Associate Director/Music Director Steve Gagliastro*
Organist Sean Redrow
Cast Includes: John Little* as “Ebenezer Scrooge,” Brad Reinking* as “Jacob Marley,” Jermaine L Pearson* as “Ghost of Christmas Present,” Lillian Rogers as “Ghost of Christmas Past,” Gregory Boover* as “Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come,” Shahjehan Khan* as “Timothy,” Alka Nayyar* as “Mrs. Cratchit,” Levin Valayil* as “Bob Cratchit,” Alexis Anu Thakkallapalli as “Martha Cratchit,” Shriram Shenoy as “Peter Cratchit,” Riana Sukhija as “Belinda Cratchit,” Samarth Shenoy as “Tiny Tim,” Steve Gagliastro* as “Mr. Fezziwig, Charitable Gentleman,” Annie Kerins* as “Mrs. Fezziwig,” Aidan Levinson as “Young Ebenezer,” Channing Rion as “Belle,” Deanna Dunmeyer* as “Charwoman,” Daniel Reardon* as “Fred,” Laura D. DeGiacomo* as “Millie (Fred’s Wife),” Aidan Leach as “Topper,” Shelly Fawson as “Suzannah,” Kate Fitzgerald as “Lucy,” Marta Rymer* as “Laundress, Fiddler,” Takaaki Matsumoto* as “Dick Wilkins,” Jacob Seaman as “Newsboy,” Rylie Pennington as “Fan,” Chris Bardizbanian as “Young Scrooge, Ignorance,” Magnolia Dolan as “Want, Tiny Tim u/s,” Charlotte Siebels as “Youth Ensemble,” Alyssa Morales as “Martha Cratchit u/s, Baker u/s.”
Additional Creative Team:
Associate Director/Associate Choreographer - Annie Kerins*; Scenic Designer - James Kronzer+; Costume Designer - Gail Astrid Buckley+; Lighting Designer - Charlie Morrison+; Sound Designer - Nick Joyce; Flying Effects - ZFX Inc.; Production Stage Manager - Jane Siebels*; Assistant Stage Manager - Melissa Daroff*; Assistant Stage Manager - Abby Ray*; Vice President, Operations and Production - Lisa Hackman*; Production Manager - Chadyn Case; Production Assistant - Alyssa Morales; South Asian Cultural Consultant - Alka Nayyar.*
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association+Member of United Scenic Artists
^Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
Performances:
December 15, 2024 through December 22, 2024
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
Presented at the HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. For More Information: 877-571-SHOW (7469) info@thehanovertheatre.org
TICKETS:
Please contact the box office at 877-571-7469 for more information.
BUY TICKETS
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.
Once again, the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts presents Troy Siebels’ live "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" and those who have been enjoying it these past 17 years will enjoy the fine adaptation of the iconic holiday tale by Charles Dickens.
For this holiday season, theatregoers will, as usual, be entertained by the uniquely inventive interpretation that is the Hanover Theatre's annual production of "A CHRISTMAS CAROL."
In this 17th Anniversary production, Siebels’ diverse and inclusive rendering of the Dickensian story using the ensemble serving as narrators continues.
Returning are dazzling opulent sets, impeccable period-specific costumes, fine choreography courtesy of Ilyse Robbins, incredible lighting and special effects and traditional holiday carols that propel the story forward.
(Photo: John Little as "Ebenezer Scrooge" with Brad Reinking as “Jacob Marley,” in Troy Siebels' adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. through December 22, 2024. Photo Credit: David Costa Photography)
"A CHRISTMAS CAROL" is undoubtedly the most adapted story by Charles Dickens in the world, which is saying something given the late author's other credits (“The Pickwick Papers,” “Oliver Twist,” “Nicholas Nickleby,” “David Copperfield,” “Bleak House,” “Little Dorrit,” “A Tale of Two Cities,” “Great Expectations”).
Many communities have their own "CHRISTMAS CAROL" or "SCROOGE" production and most likely they are very proud of the show because it is their own.
Similarly, with Worcester’s "CHRISTMAS CAROL" it is an original production which not only serves the community well, our pride lingers after 17 years because it is ours…and because it is good...and it is very, VERY good.
(Photo: John Little as "Ebenezer Scrooge" with Lillian Rogers as the “Ghost of Christmas Past,” in Troy Siebels' adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. through December 22, 2024. Photo Credit: David Costa Photography)
Every year, the Hanover Theatre ensemble blends marvelous returning cast members with new and varied voices, guided by longtime "CHRISTMAS CAROL" veterans, Associate Director and Music Director Steve Gagliastro, Associate Director and Associate Choreographer Annie Kerins.
The use of traditional holiday musical selections is consistent with prior years of the Hanover Theatre production. This year the musical performances are accompanied by Sean Redrow playing the Mighty Wurlitzer.
New this year, Gagliastro has added his own original musical composition to the adaptation, "Bells of London," featuring new choreography by Robbins, which provides a cheerful, uplifting moment to the production as performed by the ensemble.
(Photo: John Little as “Ebenezer Scrooge,” with Steve Gagliastro as “Mr. Fezziwig" and the CAST of Troy Siebels' adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. through December 22, 2024. Photo Credit: David Costa Photography)
Even with new players and new material, "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" maintains its original and traditional charm with exuberant performances that Worcester residents and other Hanover theatregoers have come to expect.
It also maintains a high level of relevancy in an ever-changing world.
Actor John Little makes his third appearance as miserly "Ebenezer Scrooge" and for the third time is simply marvelous as the bitter old cheapskate.
The entire cast is as strong as ever, mastering the traditional music and Robbins’ choreography that both supports and supplements Siebels’ adaptation.
(Photo: John Little as "Ebenezer Scrooge" and Jermaine L Pearson as the “Ghost of Christmas Present” with members of the CAST of Troy Siebels' adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. through December 22, 2024. Photo Credit: David Costa Photography)
Brad Reinking returns as the anguished apparition "Jacob Marley," warning Scrooge about impending events which will, at the very least, prove graver than Scrooge could ever imagine.
That foreboding scene – a fan favorite – is a true technical masterpiece as Marley informs Ebenezer of the spirits he can expect to approach soon.
Those spirits include the ethereal "Ghost of CHRISTMAS Past" (Lillian Rogers, who returns as the both the ghost and “Match Girl”); the jovial "Ghost of CHRISTMAS Present" (Jermaine L. Pearson, who also returns, doubling as one of the “Charitable Gentlemen”); and the always soul-stirring “Ghost of CHRISTMAS Yet To Come” ( this year performed by Gregory Boover).
All actors are solid in each of their respective portrayals as the immortal tale of Scrooge's reformation is conveyed.
(Photo: John Little as "Ebenezer Scrooge" in Troy Siebels' adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. through December 22, 2024. Photo Credit: David Costa Photography)
Consistent with more recent Hanover Theatre "CHRISTMAS CAROL" productions, the inclusive South Asian representation continues in the form of "Bob Cratchit" and the "Cratchit Family."
Similar to last year’s production, the entire Cratchit family participates in their respective scenes as a typical South Asian family of the time period - which, in turns, brings the audience closer into the lives of the Cratchits, as a result.
This is not the only element of practiced inclusivity, but it is the one most pronounced and not once does anything seem “out of place” within the time period.
If anything, the above corrects an omission of what was probably closer to the truth during this period.
(Video: Troy Siebels' adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. through December 22, 2024. Courtesy of the Hanover Theatre)
Playing "Bob Cratchit" is Levin Valayil who brings an element of animated humor to the ever-optimistic Cratchit who, in spite of a cruel employer, horrendous working conditions, oppressive poverty and an ailing child, never loses sight of the true blessings he does have in his life - his family.
A Sanskrit chanting of a mantra is included in a critical scene, underscored by the beautifully rendered "Coventry Carol," thus heightening the impact of this pivotal moment within the Cratchit family.
Recommended for ALL ages – however, repeating what has become an "annual caution:"
Some may find the scenes with "Marley's" plummeting ghostly chains and the “Ghost of CHRISTMAS Yet to Come” disturbing and downright scary.
Therefore, young children should make sure their parents remain calm.
The 17th anniversary production of the Hanover Theatre's "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" continues through December 22nd and is truly the gift that keeps on giving.
For tickets and more information, please contact the Hanover Theatre Box Office at 877-571-SHOW (7469).
BUY TICKETS
Please contact the box office at 877-571-SHOW (7469) for more information.
Approximately two hours with one intermission
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
Adapted by the president and CEO Troy Siebels and featuring the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ, the annual production returns to the main stage with timeless music, lavish costumes, and spine-tingling special effects.
New and returning cast members tell the tale of curmudgeonly miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by the Spirits of Christmases Past, Present and Yet To Come.
The show is refined and revised each year to feature more magic than ever before, with an array of spectacles from smoke and fog to spectacular flying stunts.
Approximately two hours, 15 minutes with one intermission
BUY TICKETS
Please contact the box office at 877-571-SHOW (7469) for more information.
ABOUT HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Worcester Center for Performing Arts is a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which owns and operates The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
2 Southbridge Street
Worcester, MA. 01608
# 877-571-SHOW (7469)
