Theater Review—

Newtown Players Bring A Christmas Carol To Magical Life,

In Just Under An Hour

By Julie Stern

Whatever else you do between now and December 6, it would be a worthwhile family outing to get over to Newtown’s Little Theater and see their production of Christopher Schario’s play, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

To quote from Schario’s notes in the playbill, “I always felt that the charm of the story was in its simplicity, so I locked myself in our (Lewiston Maine) theater with a group of actors and a fiddler, and we invented this version. We wanted to find a way to honor the story while avoiding the usual clichés, and finally, we decided to let the story speak for itself. Almost every word of this adaptation is Charles Dickens’ own beautiful language, which simply and directly tells the story of the redemption of a human soul…”

And does that work! Absolutely!

All too often, this seasonal classic has been turned into a vehicle for huge casts and overpowering special effects and scenic constructions, an interminable  “holiday spectacular” that overwhelms the senses and leaves Dickens trailing in the dust.

Here, under the sure-handed direction of Gene Golaszewski, the show consists of one act, just over an hour long, in which six actors and a fiddler, on a practically bare stage, keep the audience on the edge of their seats as they bring Dickens’ words magically to life.

The performers take turns narrating the story. As they go along, they assume the roles not only of the many characters, but occasionally of inanimate objects — a door knocker, a Christmas drink, a turkey... Simply by donning accessories — a red scarf, black gloves, a robe — they take on new personalities.

Ron Malyszka has been a fixture on local stages for many years, but he has never been better than in his rendition of Scrooge, by turns whiny, insufferable, but eventually brought to a new level of decency by the force of memories, and the imagination of an unbearable future.

He is supported by an excellent cast including Clare Arlington Boyle, Kevin Braun (yes, it’s your dentist!), Miles Everett, Annette George,  Steve Hoose and Mary Wilson, all of whom take on multiple roles.  They mix pathos with humor, and capture the essence of this Victorian morality tale in a manner that is utterly convincing and totally absorbing.

As the fiddler, Larry Deming provides wistful, understated musical accompaniment that is charming, as is the whole show.

Good for the Town Players, ending their 2009 season with a triumph.

(Performances continue this weekend and next. There are evening show at 8 on Fridays and Saturdays, November 27 through December 5, and matinees at 2 pm on Sundays, November 29 and December 6.

Tickets are $18 for the evening performances, $15 for matinees.

The theater is on Orchard Hill Road; call 203-270-9144 for details and reservations.)