[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of A Noise Within’s A Christmas Carol — with the original novel by Charles Dicken and stage adaptation by Geoff Elliott, running through December 24.
Another year, another perfect production by A Noise Within of the iconic and utterly incomparable A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
This year they have two wonderful actors in the role of Scrooge, each bringing their own unique flavor to this ever-unfolding character. Geoff Elliott, who also co-directs with his wife, Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, and Frederick Stuart. Both are mainstays of A Noise Within. Both wonderful creative actors who will hold your gaze as you undoubtedly hold your breath. Last year I saw Elliott in the role of Ebenezer and he was phenomenal. With his deep booming voice and towering frame, he strode about the stage petrifying the actors and audience alike. His transformation by the final act is like a lanced boil, ecstatic and euphoric. This year I was able to see Stuart as Ebenezer and the difference between the two actors’ Scrooge is profound. Stuart plays him sadder, smaller, and frailer and we therefore aren’t as afraid of him, which is so interesting. He seems more familiar somehow in this form. More sympathetic, even though he is still completely vile. But his journey is just as transformative and his emergence from the darkness just as satisfying.
This production is flawless as we must expect it to be, with exquisite staging and beautiful attention to detail. The children too are absolutely wonderful. How brilliant of A Noise Within to find such talents in such tiny frames. The tiniest is Tim of course and the audience melted whenever he was on stage. But the entire cast is incredible. Each spirit as wonderfully played as the last. Each character, each Ebenezer, young man, child and old man, so perfectly balanced and believably cast.
There’s a timeless magic to this play and it can easily be overwhelmed by the spectacle and the characters. But A Noise Within are so subtle in their work. They play together with nuance and understanding and a deep sense of place. Every play I have seen here has been perfect. This company of actors connects so deeply to one another that it hardly feels like a play at all. We are watching them in this story becoming their roles and believing every moment is true and the result of this seemingly effortless craft is the absolute best A Christmas Carol you will ever see.
Christmas isn’t Christmas without a spot of Dickens and there truly isn’t anywhere else I would rather see this staged than A Noise Within. It feels like everyone loves performing it as much as we love seeing them perform it and the combined joviality and wonder make for the best Christmas treat for yourself and your family. So please gift yourself this moment of utter bliss and book your tickets as soon as possible!! December flies by and the play only runs until December 24!
Tickets:
When:
December 1-24
Where:
A Noise Within
3352 E Foothill Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107
The Cast
Co-directed by Elliott and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, Elliott also alternates in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge with Frederick Stuart, each playing opposite Riley Shanahan as Marley. Trisha Miller is the Ghost of Christmas Past, Anthony Adu is the Ghost of Christmas Present, and David A. Rangel is the Ghost of Christmas Future. Kasey Mahaffy returns as Bob Cratchit and Emily Kosloski is back as Mrs. Cratchit. Brooklyn Bao, Stella Bullock, Brendan Burgos, John Preston and Estella Stuart take on the roles of the Cratchit children, with Aria Zhang as Tiny Tim. The narrator is Mildred Marie Langford, and Madison Keffer rounds out the ensemble.
The Team
The creative team includes composer and sound designer Robert Oriol, music director Rod Bagheri; original costume designer Angela Balogh Calin; wig and makeup designer Tony Valdés; lighting designer Ken Booth; projections designer Kristy Campbell; and properties designer Stephen Taylor. The assistant stage manager is Irene D. Lee.