RING IN THE HOLIDAYS WITH A HAUNTING TWIST AT HARTFORD STAGE'S A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS
By Kiersten Bjork (December 13, 2023)
A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas at Hartford Stage is a haunting holiday tale that isn’t for the faint of heart. The wailing spirits and ghostly apparitions feature prominently in this production, adding an additional level of spookiness to the classic story. The production is both adapted and directed by Michael Wilson, based on the original book by Charles Dickens.
The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a stingy businessman, and his evolution from a miserly old fellow to a cheerful, kind man thanks to the lessons imparted by his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley, and the various spirits of Christmas that visit him over the course of the show. Framed by an all-around stunning production design – scenic, lighting, costumes, props, and more – and starring a talented lineup of performers, Hartford Stage’s production is a triumph on all accounts.
A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas at Hartford Stage is a haunting holiday tale that isn’t for the faint of heart. The wailing spirits and ghostly apparitions feature prominently in this production, adding an additional level of spookiness to the classic story. The production is both adapted and directed by Michael Wilson, based on the original book by Charles Dickens.
The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a stingy businessman, and his evolution from a miserly old fellow to a cheerful, kind man thanks to the lessons imparted by his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley, and the various spirits of Christmas that visit him over the course of the show. Framed by an all-around stunning production design – scenic, lighting, costumes, props, and more – and starring a talented lineup of performers, Hartford Stage’s production is a triumph on all accounts.
Allen Gilmore and Erik Bloomquist (front) in Hartford Stage’s
A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (T Charles Erickson) |
Allen Gilmore, Rebecka Jones, and the Ghostly Apparitions in Hartford Stage’s
A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (T Charles Erickson) |
Allen Gilmore plays Mr. Scrooge himself, and is perfect for the part. Gilmore embodies the penny-pinching Scrooge with a sneering disdain for those around him, snatching away the goods of those who owe him debts. He plays the harsh Scrooge well, but also shines in the more comedic moments, as well as the transformation at the culmination of the play. He really brings out the journey that Scrooge goes on, and the final scene is absolutely heartwarming.
Noble Shropshire plays both Jacob Marley and Scrooge’s housekeeper, Mrs. Dilber. Shropshire plays both ends of the spectrum of these two characters – the haunted, haggard Marley and the somewhat rambling and humorous Mrs. Dilber – with nuance and skill. He executes impressive physical feats as Marley, soaring through the air and climbing around Scrooge’s bed, and everyone around me was most definitely impressed with the physicality and spectacle of that scene in particular. Additionally, the exchange between Scrooge and Mrs. Dilber at the conclusion of the play is one of my favorite scenes of the production. In both roles, Shropshire and Gilmore are excellent scene partners for each other.
Noble Shropshire plays both Jacob Marley and Scrooge’s housekeeper, Mrs. Dilber. Shropshire plays both ends of the spectrum of these two characters – the haunted, haggard Marley and the somewhat rambling and humorous Mrs. Dilber – with nuance and skill. He executes impressive physical feats as Marley, soaring through the air and climbing around Scrooge’s bed, and everyone around me was most definitely impressed with the physicality and spectacle of that scene in particular. Additionally, the exchange between Scrooge and Mrs. Dilber at the conclusion of the play is one of my favorite scenes of the production. In both roles, Shropshire and Gilmore are excellent scene partners for each other.
The cast of Hartford Stage’s A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (T Charles Erickson)
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Rebecka Jones and members of the Youth Ensemble in Hartford Stage’s
A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (T Charles Erickson) |
The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future are played by Rebecka Jones, John-Andrew Morrison, and “himself,” each with a larger-than-life energy that is focused in a different direction. Jones’ Christmas Past is enchanting and endearing, tossing handfuls of snow over different characters and moments to relive Christmas’ of yesteryear. As Christmas Present, Morrison is boisterous and regal, his strong physical presence and booming voice filling the scene with the magic necessary for the part. Christmas Future is eerie and rigid, pointing about with fierce intensity, yet maintaining the silent stoicism iconic to the role.
Ryan Garbayo is wonderful as Bob Cratchit! He exudes the soft kindness and compassion that the Cratchits are known for. The playful banter that he shares with Hero Marguerite as Mrs. Cratchit is charming, and the scenes with the entire Cratchit family are truly touching. Marguerite is just the right combination of gentle and fierce, playing the loving mother while also ready to speak out against how Scrooge treats her husband.
Erik Bloomquist gives a strong performance as Scrooge’s nephew Fred, and as Scrooge at 30. Bloomquist’s Fred is jovial and delightful, shouting out “Merry Christmas’” and playing party games with his guests. His young Scrooge, on the other hand, maintains the intensity and shrewdness that we see in Gilmore’s adult Scrooge early on. Vanessa R. Butler plays the beautiful Belle, Scrooge’s former betrothed, as well as Fred’s wife. Butler breaks out hearts as much as she breaks Scrooge’s at Belle’s departure, yet she also imbues Fred’s wife with an infectious joy.
Sarah Killough is hilarious as Fred’s sister-in-law and Mrs. Fezziwig. Robert Hannon Davis and Stuart Rider are just right as the solicitors, adding a touch of humor to their roles. A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas features a talented ensemble of performers all around, including an adorable group of children playing everyone from carolers to the Cratchit kids, and a collection of college students playing chorus-like ghostly apparitions and more.
Ryan Garbayo is wonderful as Bob Cratchit! He exudes the soft kindness and compassion that the Cratchits are known for. The playful banter that he shares with Hero Marguerite as Mrs. Cratchit is charming, and the scenes with the entire Cratchit family are truly touching. Marguerite is just the right combination of gentle and fierce, playing the loving mother while also ready to speak out against how Scrooge treats her husband.
Erik Bloomquist gives a strong performance as Scrooge’s nephew Fred, and as Scrooge at 30. Bloomquist’s Fred is jovial and delightful, shouting out “Merry Christmas’” and playing party games with his guests. His young Scrooge, on the other hand, maintains the intensity and shrewdness that we see in Gilmore’s adult Scrooge early on. Vanessa R. Butler plays the beautiful Belle, Scrooge’s former betrothed, as well as Fred’s wife. Butler breaks out hearts as much as she breaks Scrooge’s at Belle’s departure, yet she also imbues Fred’s wife with an infectious joy.
Sarah Killough is hilarious as Fred’s sister-in-law and Mrs. Fezziwig. Robert Hannon Davis and Stuart Rider are just right as the solicitors, adding a touch of humor to their roles. A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas features a talented ensemble of performers all around, including an adorable group of children playing everyone from carolers to the Cratchit kids, and a collection of college students playing chorus-like ghostly apparitions and more.
Allen Gilmore and John-Andrew Morrison with Akilah Hadjsalem and Logan Gordon-Gay in Hartford Stage’s A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (T Charles Erickson)
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Noble Shropshire and Allen Gilmore in Hartford Stage’s
A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (T Charles Erickson) |
Scenic design by Tony Straiges features a multilevel wooden scaffolding that occupies the bulk of the upstage area, with an elegant bridge connecting the opposing wings. An impressive clock hangs above the playing space, marking the hours of the night. Throughout the production, various scenic pieces are added and struck to evoke the Cratchit home, Scrooge’s bedroom, Fred’s home, and more. It’s a charming set that fits the scale of the production well.
Lighting designer Robert Wierzel creates a stunning display of light and color over the course of the show. Throughout, I was constantly noticing the strong color and pattern choices made by Wierzel and team, and I really loved these highlighted moments. The harsh red around Marley, the creepy blue lighting for Christmas Future and some of the ghostly interludes, and the lighting and clock effects were all really neat choices.
Costumes by designer Alejo Vietti (original costume design by Zack Brown) and wigs by designer Brittany Hartman are gorgeous. The exquisite costumes for the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present are absolutely stunning. I particularly enjoyed the use of glow-in-the-dark material for the different pieces on the costumes of the ghostly apparitions. Original music and sound design by John Gromada are well done – there’s a strong balance between vocals, music, and effects.
Lighting designer Robert Wierzel creates a stunning display of light and color over the course of the show. Throughout, I was constantly noticing the strong color and pattern choices made by Wierzel and team, and I really loved these highlighted moments. The harsh red around Marley, the creepy blue lighting for Christmas Future and some of the ghostly interludes, and the lighting and clock effects were all really neat choices.
Costumes by designer Alejo Vietti (original costume design by Zack Brown) and wigs by designer Brittany Hartman are gorgeous. The exquisite costumes for the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present are absolutely stunning. I particularly enjoyed the use of glow-in-the-dark material for the different pieces on the costumes of the ghostly apparitions. Original music and sound design by John Gromada are well done – there’s a strong balance between vocals, music, and effects.
Allen Gilmore (front) and the Spirit of Christmas Future in Hartford Stage’s
A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (T Charles Erickson) |
Allen Gilmore and members of the Youth Ensemble in Hartford Stage’s
A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (T Charles Erickson) |
A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas, despite its haunted nature, is a great way to kick off your holiday! With wonderful performances and a spectacular design, you won’t want to miss this production – catch A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas at Hartford Stage before it closes on December 24!
A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas runs November 24-December 24 at Hartford Stage in Hartford, CT. Tickets are available online at HartfordStage.org, by calling (860) 527-5151 or by visiting the Hartford Stage Box Office at 50 Church Street. Support for Hartford Stage's 2023/2024 Season comes from Stanley Black & Decker. Raytheon Technologies is the lead production sponsor of A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas, and Producers are William & Judith Thompson.
Kiersten Bjork is a theatremaker and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.
A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas runs November 24-December 24 at Hartford Stage in Hartford, CT. Tickets are available online at HartfordStage.org, by calling (860) 527-5151 or by visiting the Hartford Stage Box Office at 50 Church Street. Support for Hartford Stage's 2023/2024 Season comes from Stanley Black & Decker. Raytheon Technologies is the lead production sponsor of A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas, and Producers are William & Judith Thompson.
Kiersten Bjork is a theatremaker and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.