Scrooge and Co. Roll Into Sumner With New Take On "A Christmas Carol"

ManeStage Theatre Company is ushering in the holiday season with a local community production of "A Christmas Carol: The Broadway Musical." The show runs weekends with evening and matinee performances through Dec. 11 at the Sumner Performing Arts Center. Showtimes and ticket information can be found on its website.

No matter how many times you may have seen this story, the wealth of holiday spirit it provides is unmatched. Those who are familiar with ManeStage Theatre Company know the effort and talent involved in each production – and this holiday production is no exception. This troupe continues to cater to theatergoers of all ages while priding itself on being a family friendly presence in Sumner and its surrounding areas.

With a group of children aged 6 and under in tow, I was curious to see how the story would play to the younger set, and ended up being pleased with the song and dance numbers that accompany this variation.

To start the show, ManeStage actors joined in on a piped-in version of "Silent Night" and continued on their own talent with a handful of old-fashioned carols.  The transition from overhead music to a live choir was a well-done surprise.

It was a pleasure to watch ManeStage veteran Brian Redpath play Ebenezer Scrooge in this legendary classic. Redpath offered a character to both love and loathe. He showed vulnerability, bitterness, fear and aggravation like any good Scrooge should. You may have seen him in other shows including "It's A Wonderful Life" and "The Sound of Music," but I believe this is the best I’ve seen him.

Other notable performances belong to Jay Henson, playing Jacob Marley in all his ghostly glory and who always makes an entertaining addition, as well as Corey Long, as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Long possesses a comedic and entertaining delivery of his lines as well as a light-hearted touch.

The theater adaptation of this story included many choreographed acts and added a twist to a story that, throughout its many retellings, rarely changes.  My personal favorite was the graveyard act "Dancing on your grave," where gravediggers chant and shovel to the music. While the special effects were kicked into a high gear for this performance, the dark scenes paired with fog, black lights and strobe effects can be a little unnerving for the youngest, and I did have a child in my lap for the majority of the first act. The liveliness of the many song and dance numbers, however, kept the children entertained. 

It is likely that this story is a better fit for children aged 7 and up.  Although my 6-year-old was engaged in the show, she had myriad questions throughout and was more distracting than I would prefer.  Though I can't blame her; this is a mature subject matter that many young children may have a hard time wrapping their minds around if they have not yet been exposed to the message. The idea of ghosts often doesn't translate past Halloween.

ManeStage Theatre continues its 2011-12 season after the New Year with "The Wizard of Oz" in February and "Narnia – The Musical" in March.