BETHEL - Based on the positively explosive reactions of audience members during the sold-out December 18 matinee of the NewArts production of A Christmas Carol at Walnut Hill Community Church, the McCarter Theater's loss is Newtown's gain.

The famed David Thompson adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic under NewArts Director Michael Unger, who produced the adaptation for 15 years at the McCarter in Princeton, N.J., closed its three-week run on the stage of Bethel's Walnut Hill Community Church on December 22. The production was staged in the neighboring town while the Newtown High School auditorium renovations continue at the intended permanent venue for the show in coming years.

Having been invited to one of the final McCarter productions last January, it was interesting to see how a scaled down version of the hulking Christmas Carol sets and set pieces would coordinate into the seemingly wider but more vertically compromising Walnut Hill venue. The good news is, all the usable elements of the show that could fit and maneuver in the Bethel facility are utilized to their full effect, and most audiences who did not see the McCarter production did not know what they were missing.

What those audience members, including several sold-out or near sellout houses, did enjoy was the unique aspect of the local dual Mistletoe and Holly casts, which during any given performance was triple that of what Mr Unger had to work with in New Jersey. The result was a much more dynamic presentation, particularly when the stage was flooded with ornately costumed actors in meticulously re-created Victorian-era garb.

While some compromising space issues and the Bethel fire marshal put the kabosh on a couple of the McCarter's memorable special effects, scenes left intact were most affecting, creepy, or magical. All four of the ghost or spirit entities were fantastic, with the ghoulish makeup of the ghost of Scrooge's late partner Jacob Marley (Joseph DeVellis) made even more spooky under a wash of bright green lighting, and the animated door knocker eliciting terrified screams from several children (and maybe a few adults) in the matinee audience.

Even scenes played out by just a few actors on an otherwise empty stage in front of a towering backdrop of 19th Century London were effective, thanks to the casting talents of Mr Unger and his production support personnel. The inclusion of Broadway actor James Ludwig, who out of makeup and character seemed too young to effectively play the crotchety old Scrooge, was ingenious.

Mr Ludwig transformed himself admirably, and undoubtedly was able to convey a number of very physical pieces of business much more effectively thanks to his spryness and youthful vigor. His wide stage experience also provided the tools to express extreme ranges of emotion, which were not lost on folks populating the rear half of the house.

And the pivotal moment near the end of the production where Mr Ludwig is embraced by Tiny Tim was nothing short of magical.

Mr Unger and his stellar team of industry professionals and capable volunteers achieved what he previously told The Newtown Bee he was setting out to do: present a Broadway-caliber show, tapping almost completely the talents of mostly amateur and even a handful of relatively inexperienced to first-time actors, singers, and dancers.

Every single member of the NewArts cast made an indelible impression that helped elevate this local version of A Christmas Carol to rival, and in many cases exceed, that of what audiences enjoyed for so many years a hundred miles or so south in Princeton.

As he looks ahead for what lies in store post-production, Mr Unger is still seeking willing and able assistance to strike and transport set pieces, props, costumes, and other supplies. Interested helpers can contact him via e-mail at newartssm@gmail.com.

While his involvement with the holiday production remained "all encompassing" as he spoke to The Bee ahead of closing night, Mr Unger was moved to thank the Walnut Hill Church community for the access, space, and the many cast and crew members who came to the NewArts production from the church community, which had previously staged its own scaled-down version of A Christmas Carol for years prior to hosting NewArts.

Mr Unger said he and the NewArts team plan to turn their attention to the summer of 2017 within days of closing out this production, with anticipated announcements of summer musicals and casting calls expected by early February.

For more information, or to learn about volunteering or supporting New Arts and its mission, visit newarts.org.