The ghosts and more

It is a brave soul who has the courage to rewrite the semi-sacred words of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." That daring man is playwright Zander Michaelson. The outcome is worthy of the original.

Naturally, this current pandemic has directors directing differently, like David Ellenstein at North Coast Repertory. To abide by all the convoluted regulations with the state-ordered distancing and so forth, this version of the famous tale is told by one actor performing all of the parts.

James Newcomb is Scrooge, Cratchit, Marley, even the boy that scurries to get the largest goose in the butcher's case; well, you get the picture. Newcomb's performance is riveting. A master storyteller, his compelling enactment of this famous story about greed vs. good holds up.

Supported by the professionals at North Coast Repertory, like master set designer Aaron Rumley, costume designer Eliza Benzoni, and Phillip Korth as prop master, the audience is lured into the retelling by one of our fair city's most accomplished actors, James Newcomb. Bravo!

The streaming is available online for only $35 for the entire family. One of the best bargains of the season. Don't be a Scrooge, visit www.northcoastrep.com for your family this Christmas season. The show continues through Dec. 31. Rated 10 out of 10

Running simultaneously is Homer's Iliad until December 31 at www.northcoastrep.com.

Elizabeth Youngman-Westphal can be reached at [email protected].