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Four Dickens Carolers are singing in lovely harmony. Children toddle by, then look back at the carolers, their eyes wide with wonder. Garland and lights are everywhere.
The 20-something's face spreads into a wide smile. She turns to her boyfriend and stage-whispers: "I love this!"
What's not to love, really. It sure is a nice feeling when you really get yourself into the holidays. And it's not only Dickens' little story that gets you there, it's all the little touches in the ACT's production, from the carolers pre-show in the lobby to the dancing during the post-curtain bows.
This is the 32nd year of ACT's A Christmas Carol, they do it very, very well. No modernizing here, the story is set in 19th century London, the costuming is same, the script is from the Dickens original. What's different is that the play is performed in the round. We approve, and think Dickens would too.
Mark Chamberlin and David Pichette are alternating as Scrooge. We saw Chamberlin, who put on a very physical performance--pre-ghost Scrooge is hunched and tense and practically invisible, post-ghost Scrooge moves like a dancer and commands the stage.
The rest of the cast is enjoying the hell out of themselves--a special shoutout to Ian Bell and Leslie Law (pictured) as Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig.
There are few more satisfying endings than A Christmas Carol's, everyone left with a smile on their face. Seattlest's grandparents agreed that it was "really good," our mom suggested the adjective "magical."
After the show we strode the two blocks to Old Navy in search of sleepy pants. Upon paying, our face evidently sported a post-Dickensian glow.
"You must have just started shopping," the cashier girl said. "You seem really happy."
"No, it's not that," we replied. "I just saw A Christmas Carol. You should check it out!"
A Christmas Carol runs tonight, then Friday 12/1 through Monday 12/24, with two performances per day most days. Adult tickets are $40 on the weekend, $30 on weekdays. It's 90 minutes, no intermission.
Image is a detail of a photo by Chris Bennion
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My family goes to the ACT every year to see A Christmas Carol, and it's always outstanding. I can't recommend it enough.
A bit of casting information: Javin Reed, who played Charles Cratchit in the play last year (or maybe the year before), was also in a couple episodes of Heroes.