Given the current state of the world it seems easy, even prudent, to say “bah humbug” but two different productions of “A Christmas Carol” in Southern California this holiday season urge the audiences to instead say “bless us everyone.”
In Costa Mesa, South Coast Repertory has a 40-year annual tradition of producing a version of “A Christmas Carol” that is cherished by the community, but this year Hal Landon Jr., who originated the role of Scrooge in 1980, is passing his top hat and the role to fellow founding company member Richard Doyle.
In Los Angeles, Center Theatre Group is presenting a new version of the classic tale at the Ahmanson Theatrre. This production, written by Jack Thorne and originally directed and conceived by Matthew Warchus, originated at the Old Vic in London before moving to Broadway. It was honored with five Tony Awards earlier this year, making it the season’s most-awarded show.
MEET THE NEW SCROOGE
As a founding member of South Coast Repertory, Doyle is no stranger to the theater’s stage. During the COVID-19 shutdown Doyle, who is a prolific voice actor, performed the voices for all the characters in “A Christmas Carol” in a free audio performance that patrons could listen to in place of attending a live staging.
Doyle also has a long history with “A Christmas Carol” at SCR and has performed in many other roles besides Scrooge. He said he has great respect for the artists who have worked on previous productions of the holiday play.
“It is an honor to bring an audience back into the theater for a live staged, fully realized production for the first time since we had to cut short our season,” he said. “Is it a great deal of responsibility? Yes.”
Where to see ‘A Christmas Carol’ and other holiday plays this year
Hisa Takakuwa will be directing this year’s production. She is also no stranger to “A Christmas Carol,” having acted, assistant-directed, and worked with the young actors in the education conservatory.
“I’ve acted in the show for 14 years or so then assisted directed the show for 14 years or so,” she said. “I think this just felt like a natural evolution for the theater to hopefully be a good caretaker of the show that the theater has built. We can take this a new step and refresh it while honoring the legacy of the show and its importance to the community.”
A ‘CAROL’ FOR OUR TIMES
Thomas Caruso, who is directing the new production of “A Christmas Carol” at the Ahmanson Theatre, says the new version of Dickens’ immortal tale has “brought it back to its heart.”
“It’s very simple and bare bones,” he said. “It becomes a breath of fresh air again.”
For this staging the role of Scrooge is played by three-time Emmy Award winner Bradley Whitford (“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “The West Wing”). The production also employs 12 Christmas carols, including “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night.”
Actor Alex Newell, who plays the Ghost of Christmas Present/Mrs. Fezziwig, was excited to become part of this “Christmas Carol.”
“I saw (it) on Broadway in 2019 and I loved it,” Newell said “I thought it was so fun and different. When I got the offer to do it I said ‘Absolutely’ because I loved it so much.”
Both actor and director say this is the perfect time to be telling this story in the theater.
“This period piece that we are doing now is so current in a way,” Newell said. “It’s very now.”
Says Caruso: “One of the biggest metaphors or themes in our production is going from darkness to light. After so much sadness, death, and illness I think a show that is all about enlightenment and coming out of the darkness and into the light and love is the perfect show to reopen the CTG in Los Angeles.”
Another reason this story is important to tell now is because after more than a year of isolation, anyone could be in danger of turning into a Scrooge.
“Sometimes in life we get injured or bruised by situations and we end up protecting our heart from the world instead of giving our heart to the world,” Caruso said.
Takakuwa, the South Coast Repertory director, also says “A Christmas Carol” is especially timely this year.
“To come out of a time when we all felt isolated, where we all felt lost and to look at a story about human connection and the possibility we all have to change for the better, It really resonates now.”
Doyle says his favorite part of South Coast Repertory’s production is the reading of Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem “Ring Wild Bells.”
“There are stanzas in this poem which (make) you wonder ‘How did this guy know what was going to be happening in this world 100 years later,’” he said, adding that the poem’s message encapsulates the play for him: “Let’s forget about preconceived ideas, these notions of wealth, party affiliations and warring with each other. Let’s forget all that if only for one season of the year and think about taking care of each other and being a race of human beings on the same planet bound on the same journey.”
‘A Christmas Carol’
At South Coast Repertory
When: Nov. 27-Dec. 26 (previews Nov. 27-Dec. 2)
Where: South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
Tickets: $42-$70
Information: 714-708-5555; scr.org
At Center Theatre Group
When: Nov. 30-Jan. 1
Where: The Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles
Tickets: $40-$150
Information: 213-628-2772; centertheatregroup.org
