THEATER REVIEW : A ‘Christmas Carol’ That Takes the Message to Heart

COSTA MESA — When Charles Dickens wrote “A Christmas Carol,” he wasn’t writing a children’s story. He was trying to make a strong, emotional case for social reform and for a drastic change in the public’s accepting attitudes toward avarice, ambition and self-interest.

Most stage and film versions of the story ignore the author’s intent in favor of pure entertainment. Jerry Patch’s 16-year-old adaptation at South Coast Repertory handily gives a vivid image of the intent and happens to be bang-up entertainment at the same time.

The production, to its immense advantage, has grown a good bit darker since its early days, which makes it richer for adults, and has developed its use of special effects with panache, a boon for both kids and their elders.

The darkness apparently doesn’t put any strain on the younger viewers. One tiny burgeoning critic at Saturday’s matinee was heard numerous times calling out “ Uh -oh!” He knew what was going on and didn’t need goofy comedy to keep his interest.

The production is visually lush and moves with the pacing of a film; Cliff Faulkner’s evocative period scenery moves instantaneously out of the shadows. Dwight Richard Odle’s costumes are detailed and period-perfect to the 1840s. (A delightful touch: the Ghost of Christmas Past [Scrooge’s past] is dressed in the style of Scrooge’s boyhood.)

The lighting design by Tom and Donna Ruzika is painterly and often looks like 19th-Century illustrations for the story, and Garth Hemphill’s sound design is warm and textured.

John-David Keller, who directed and also plays Christmas Past, balances the tones and rhythms of Patch’s script with affection and a sense of clarity that works for young and old. Keller is a delight as the first Spirit to guide Scrooge to his visions of what goodness and love are all about. Ron Boussom, as the Spirit of Christmas Present, gives another of his energetic, inventive impressions, cavorting and frolicking like a giddy elf.

The role of Ebenezer Scrooge is a difficult one. An actor must show some of the humanity hidden behind Scrooge’s nasty exterior, without indicating any of the gradual alterations in character that will come as the story develops. Hal Landon Jr., who has been playing the role for all of the production’s 16 years, makes these alterations with subtlety and enough clues along the way to frame Scrooge’s final giddiness with a patina of honest and truth.

His Scrooge is believable and totally true to the portrait in Dickens’ story. The only jarring note is his use of the American pronunciation of “clerk”--a small thing, but in a production this authentic, it stands out.

The supporting cast is fine throughout, but there are standouts. John Ellington’s Bob Cratchit and Laurie Woolery’s Mrs. Cratchit are warm and very real, as are their children (the kids alternate; at the performance reviewed, Alex Knox was Peter, Rebecca Corbett was Martha, Katrina Redelsheimer was Belinda and an exuberant Michael Teague was Tiny Tim). They look like a real family.

Howard Shangraw gives a wonderful sense of elan to Fred, Scrooge’s nephew, and Todd Denning as Young Jacob Marley and Richard Soto as Young Scrooge are honest mirror images of the hateful men they later will become. As Scrooge’s young sweetheart Belle, Devon Raymond is charming and insightful. The feeling of holiday festivity that permeates Fred’s party scene is buoyed by the effervescent Stephanie Burden’s Pursued Maiden, who seems about to spill over with fun, like a new glass of champagne.

*

“A Christmas Carol,” South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tuesdays though Fridays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, noon and 4 p.m. Ends Dec. 24. $15-$30. (714) 957-4033. Running time: 2 hours.

Hal Landon Jr.: Ebenezer Scrooge

John Ellington: Bob Cratchit

Howard Shangraw: Fred

John-David Keller: Spirit of Christmas Past

Todd Denning: Young Jacob Marley

Richard Soto: Young Scrooge

Devon Raymond :Belle

Ron Boussom: Spirit of Christmas Present

Michael Teague: Tiny Tim

Laurie Woolery: Mrs. Cratchit

Alex Knox: Peter Cratchit

Rebecca Corbett: Martha Cratchit

Katrina Redelsheimer: Belinda Cratchit

Stephanie: Burden Pursued Maiden

A South Coast Repertory production of an adaptation by Jerry Patch of a story by Charles Dickens, directed by John-David Keller. Scenic design: Cliff Faulkner. Lighting design: Tom and Donna Ruzika. Costume design: Dwight Richard Odle. Sound design: Garth Hemphill. Musical director: Dennis Castellano. Choreography: Linda Kostalik. Production manager: Michael Mora. Stage manager: Scott Harrison.