My fourth trip this month to the world of Ebenezer Scrooge shows just how monumentally important this story is to our culture. Sure, How The Grinch Stole Christmas and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer are indelible holiday entertainments. On a more human scale, however, this morality tale resonates powerfully when read or given a fine production. Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – A Play With Music is a stunning achievement which masterfully makes the author’s words come to vivid life.
This show is being performed on a tour of historical landmarks. The performance I saw was held at the Al Hirschfeld Gallery in the Mansion/Museum owned by Margo Feiden. An optional buffet dinner complete with delicious mince pies preceded the show. Exploring this historic house built in 1845 was a special treat filled with Mr. Hirschfeld’s wonderful works of art.
The setting was the house’s ballroom added in 1899. Ms. Feiden introduced the play and the performers in her home. She imagined that when Mr. Dickens visited New York, he likely would have stopped into this prominent household. He did indeed make a second trip to New York City in 1868. That is an interesting ghost story to accompany a famous ghost story.
Jeffries Thaiss and Eric Scott Anthony co-conceived and wrote this version. Mr. Thaiss plays The Actor and Mr. Anthony is The Musician. The presentation is a 75 minute two man show. The feeling is one of a book blossoming into three dimensional life. Words are faithful to Dickens’ text. Scenes which do not appear in typical productions here provide memorable moments.
One such scene is where Scrooge visits a ship with the Ghost of Christmas Present. Two bar stool type chairs represent the entire set. When Scrooge is floating above the sailors, Mr. Thaiss places the two chairs together and stands high on them. The visual, combined with the prose, is transporting. This is A Christmas Carol performed with the words as the star and The Actor as the brilliant communicator.
Mr. Thaiss plays every part in this show. His many voices and facial manipulations make each characterization clear. He flips from stool to stool when in conversation. Does he believe that his former business partner really came to visit him from the afterlife? After all, Scrooge says, “you may be an undigested piece of beef,” a classic quote from the original tale.
In his performance, I saw Zachary Quinto, David Bowie and also a close friend of mine which enhanced my enjoyment of Mr. Thaiss’ exceptional physicality and, importantly, his ability to capture my attention. Having seen this tale four times this month, I was concerned about repetition. This one was the most complete version. Furthermore, I appreciated the included section about social injustice describing the boy’s ignorance and the girl’s want. Sitting in a mansion with less than twenty people nicely punctuated that particular moment.
Mr. Anthony ably supported this performance as The Musician. He strums the guitar adding a score to the storytelling. He makes terrific sound effects to embellish the action. There is a playfulness between these two performers that keeps the mood light and fun. He also adds Christmas carols to the show. At one point, he sings “Oh Holy Night.” The rendition is beautiful.
When I was listening to that song sitting comfortably on a couch in a historical Greenwich Village mansion, I heard the last line as if for the first time. “Oh night divine!” This version of A Christmas Carol is well worth seeking out. Scrooge asks the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, “Why show me this if I’m past all hope?” Because we all need a little reminder now and again about goodness, generosity and the true spirit of Christmas in this crazy world in which we live.
The next two performances of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – A Play With Music will be performed on December 29th in an 1837 Greek revival building on Staten Island.