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'A Christmas Carol

A Little Musical Ghost Story' puts a twist on the classic

Yeah, just when you think "Oh no, not another version of 'A Christmas Carole'" along comes Cygnet Theatre doing a change up on a classic Dicken's tale. It is fresh and fun-tastic!

Hurray for them. And lucky us! 'Cause for one thing, it is a musical. And second, there is a piano player on stage. Musical director Patrick Marion is visible throughout. In addition to his masterful musicology, he inserts a bit of whimsy along the way to London on Christmas Eve, 1843.

Don't we all recall what a curmudgeon Ebenezer is? They don't call him "Scrooge" for nothing. Yet Tom Stephenson takes his character and owns him. (As he does with everything I've seen him in this year.) What a delightfully awful person he is and he does it so well.

Playing opposite Scrooge is Patrick McBride as Cratchit. While he succumbs to enough banalities to writhe away from his employer's belittling he still fosters a home filled with love for his family. McBride walks a character's tight rope and succeeds.

As one has come to expect, Cygnet artistic director Sean Murray's compassion is showing. He has selected another outstanding cast for the complex characters fulfilled by an amazing collection of personalities.

For instance, watch out for Belinda Cratchit aka Mrs. Fizziwig (Melinda Gilb), she will catch you off guard every time. Her comedic timing is without fault. Playing her partner-in-crime as Mrs. Cratchit, Belinda's mother no less, is Melissa Fernandes. This dynamic duo is a giggle a minute.

David McBean appears as the ghost of Marley as well as other characters. While he is still close to my heart for his last performance at Cygnet, fact of the matter is, he works wonders with everything he does. Charles Evans, Jr. is charming as all-get-out as young Scrooge. And while Katie Sapper plays multiple roles, even a boy, she is best suited as Belle, because she is so pretty, delicate and talented like everyone else on stage.

Behind the scenes is another cast of pros. Billy Thompson is the musical composer for this romp; Andrew Hull is the scenic designer; Peter Herman is just every where in San Diego doing wigs and make up design; Rachel Hengst is the puppet designer on this production and, as expected, the sound design was terrific thanks to Matt Lescault-Wood, coupled with Kyle Montgomery doing the seasonal lighting design with our favorite costume designer Jeanne Reith.

Katie Whalley Banville choreographed the show and I'm guessing the special effects were just a part of the theatre magic. This village of resident artists pulled together another winner.

A holiday pleaser just right for the whole family. Grab your out of town guests too. It doesn't matter if you celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanza, Christmas or even the Winter Solstice – "A Christmas Carol" is a classic story told with heart.

Be sure to wear your holiday good cheer as you sit down. Carolers are in full song and a few corny holiday jokes.

"A Christmas Carol" is now playing at the Cygnet Theatre in Old Town at 4040 Twiggs Road. Since parking can be hard to find, plan to come early. Valet parking is an option. Multiple shows are scheduled through Sunday, Dec. 24, on Christmas Eve. For your tickets and parking information: (619) 337-1525 or http://www.cygnettheatre.com.

 

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