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| Beattie as Scrooge (Bennion) |
by
MK Scott
I enjoyed ACT theater's production of the Dickens' Classic, a Christmas Carol, so much last year that I wanted to see it again to prove a theory that I have that this classic is rich with gay overtones and I am more convinced than ever that Dickens had an secret Gay agenda.
The adaptation into a ONE Act, 90 min. version now in its 40th year by ACT Founder, Gregory Falls and Directed by new Artistic Director, John Langs has cleverly woven this classic story and staged it in the ROUND, with lots of trap doors and projected images on tapestry. The Dickens Carolers set the mood and the tone as we meet Ebenezer Scrooge (Outgoing Artistic Director, Kurt Beattie and alternating with our pal, Charles Leggett) and Bob Cratchit (Mathew Floyd Miller) as he is forced to work on Christmas Eve.
As Scrooge prepares for bed, he is visited by the ghost of his late 'Partner', Jacob Marley (G. Valmont Thomas) with a warning of 3 spirits, Past (Hillary Clemons), Present (David Drummond) and Future (Connor Neddersen).
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| Yes, Tiny Tim is played by a Girl! (Bennion) |
In the past we learn that Young Scrooge (Neddersen, recently reviewed in Festen) had an arranged marriage with Belle (Jasime Jean Sim) and she notices changes in him and bows out graciously, and then we see Scrooge in the present as Cratchit and family try to stay happy together despite Tiny Tim's (Ava Drummond, Yes a girl) imminent short life. Mrs Cratchit's (Jen Taylor) visible distrust in Ebenezer. We also see Scrooge's nephew, Fred (played by the Gorgeous, Matt Schwader) joking behind his uncle's back and counting days until Ebenezer's demise.
Of course, one could assume that Jacob Marley and Scrooge were more than business partners, but in this adaptation, we still don't know was what Marley's significance was. What happened during those years with Marley, that could come to question. Without the ability to love, it made Scrooge the way he was. Was that Dicken's subliminal message?
In the future Scrooge is shocked of how little people thought of him after his death and how Tiny Tim suffered and perished.
As the sun rises, Scrooge wakes up with breath of energy and starts to change his ways in the spirit of the holiday.
It is easy to look for hidden meanings and the more you get into the story, the more hope you feel.
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| Thomas as Marley (Bennion) |
Of course, I must mention the diverse casting, remember it only makes sense if it is a stand along character and is not related to anyone. In some cases it makes senses and in others it doesn't, like with Thomas, a Black actor, as Marley was GREAT, cause he is a stand alone and a ghost. If he were alive, it would be unbelievable as Scrooge's "Partner" in Victorian England. But to have the important role as "Tiny Tim" as well as one of the Cratchit girls, Elizabeth, both played b
y Asian actors in a very intimate staging is a mistake that would make the audience think that there is no way Bob is the father of Tiny Tim or Elizabeth,
A Better approach would be if Mrs Cratchit was Asian (as well) and than it would be believable that she was the mother of the youngest two. Last year, Belle (a stand alone character) was played an Asian actress and it worked. I know people will say What's wrong with a mixed family? Nothing, but only when it makes sense and improves the story, in this case it wasn't needed. Would love to have seen this wonderful young actress in a different role. All in all, she did a fine job. As a non-biased reviewer (Yes, Really!) it is up to me to bring up what an average audience member is thinking.
Though, Kudos to our Pal, John Langs for taking a risk and continuing this tradition.
Overall, this was a great production for its 40th Anniversary and a fitting farewell for Beattie.
ACT's A Christmas Carol continues through December 30th . Click Here for tickets and show times.
A Christmas Carol is parable about time-traveling ghosts—it's not a historical drama with a plot that depends on a particular degree of historical authenticity. Actors have traditionally payed parts outside their race and gender since ancient Greece. If you can't suspend your disbelief enough to accept the presence of an Asian child in Victorian England, then maybe theater isn't for you.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, it is not up to you to decide when diversity is acceptable onstage. The actors of color in this city who would like very much to make a living at their craft don't need their presence in a story to make sense to you. People are people. Universal stories are universal stories. It's theater. Get over it.
I also hope to shed a little light on what we call "color blind casting" which has been going on for some time now in the theater. It is an important step forward for our culture that we accept this as a part of the art form, especially when doing the classics, where most roles were written with white people and a white audience in mind. I find this type of casting a huge plus -- not a minus -- as an audience member.
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