A Christmas Carol at HCTO 2023

Last night I went to my third peformance of A Christmas Carol this season and this time it was HCTO's version.  To say that I loved it would be an understatement!  This is a brand new production featuring the most faithful adaptation of the novel by Charles Dickens that I have ever seen because the playwright, Rodger Sorenson, employs a technique known as "Chamber Theatre" which includes both the dialogue and the narrative descriptions.  This technique is brilliant because it brings the words written by Dickens very vividly to life!  Ebeneezer Scrooge is played by Ric Starnes and the rest of the cast is comprised of a large ensemble who narrate the story, portray the rest of the characters, bring the minimal set pieces and props on and off stage, provide sound effects, and perform all of the musical interludes.  This approach is simple but incredibly effective.  I especially enjoyed how the scenes at Fezziwig's warehouse, the Cratchit home, Fred's house, and the graveyard are staged because they make great use of the ensemble and the small and intimate space. I loved all of the music, particularly the inclusion of "Wexford Carol" and "Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella" because they are favorites of mine, but the use of "Lacrymosa," performed by the violin (Naomi White) and cello (Risa Bean), as Belle releases young Ebeneezer and "Coventry Carol" as the Cratchits mourn the loss of Tiny Tim are incredibly affecting.  The set is very simple but the costumes are anything but!  The gowns, capes (I think capes and cloaks should make a comeback), and bonnets worn by the women and the topcoats and waistcoats worn by the men are gorgeous and feature elaborate embellishments.  Starnes gives a beautiful performance because all of the emotions that Scrooge feels as he is shown his past, present, and future are clearly visible on his face and in his delivery.  His reactions to Nan, Belle, and Tiny Tim are especially poignant but it is his simple interaction with a caroler busking on the street after his transformation that brought me to tears.  I also enjoyed David Matthew Smith's performance as Bob Cratchit because he is so emotional in the scene where he mourns the death of Tiny Tim and Ryann Bailey Wawro's performance as Belle because her facial expressions in the scene where she is wooed by young Ebeneezer are so funny.  Jack Jewkes is adorable as Tiny Tim, especially when he sings "What Child Is This?," but Lilly Anderson absolutely steals the show as Fan and Sara Cratchit!  This is definitely my favorite production of A Christmas Carol (and I have seen a lot of them) and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here).  It runs through December 23.