Theatrical Review: TINY TIM’S CHRISTMAS CAROL by Michael Harron and Rick Cummins

TINY TIM’S CHRISTMAS CAROL by Michael Harron and Rick Cummins
Theatrical Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

According to several accounts of the public readings Charles Dickens gave after his novel, “A Christmas Carol” was published, the intent of the work was meant to be a cautionary tale directed to the business community who has lost their idealism of providing a service to those who purchased their offerings and were a beneficial part of their extended community and became more concerned with their “bottom line” than the lives they effected in their cold hearted “business” enterprises. Dickens saw such business practices leading to their demise in the same uncaring environment which they encouraged through their creation of it. Unfortunately, this cautionary tale to the business community rings as true today as it did over 100 years ago when it was first published.

The numerous film and theatrical productions adapted from the original work has expanded and updated the novel to a morality tale for their audience to learn from. It is easy for us to see ourselves in the Ebenezer Scrooge character as we encounter all the commercialism and depression the holidays have come to be known for. “A Christmas Carol” helps us to remember and reflect upon the peace and good will which is free and available to all to partake of. We need only go beyond what we see to experience what is really there. “Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol” continues to help in this re-envisioning the season.

“Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol” by Michael Harron* and Rick Cummins does this in several unique ways. First, (as the titles indicates) the story is told from the perspective of Tiny Tim. This beloved character encourages us to see his world and our own through his innocent and accepting childlike eyes.

Second, the play explored the influences Scrooge’s father had on his present perception on life and his need to be as cold as he has become. I, personally would have liked to see more of this study of Ebenezer’s character, but the nature of this “Holiday fare” musical was to amuse it’s audience and not to engage in deep excursions into their soul.

Finally, the play included a Nativity Scene. I’m pretty sure Charles Dickens didn’t have such a scene to be included in his novel in mind when he wrote it, but it did enhance the work. The scene took place during the section of the novel where Scrooge confronts his own mortality and must come to terms with the consequences of his actions. This includes the death of Tiny Tim which was related to the firing of his father Bob Cratchit. The inclusion of the Nativity Scene reiterated one of the main themes of the play. This theme was that there is always hope whatever the future may bring. It is though this Nativity Scene we develop a deeper understanding of Scrooge’s transformation from a cold soul to a beneficiary to the community all who are a part of it.

The Sherman Theatre and Performing Arts Center* in Stroudsburg, PA hosted The Pennsylvania Reparatory Company’s* production of “Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol” by Michael Harron* and Rick Cummins. The cast included Danielle Catrillo (Tiny Tim), Chris Martinelli (Bob Cratchit), Michael Harron (Scrooge), Justin Miller, (Mr. Clay-Mr. Fezziwig), Byrdie Jacques (Mrs. Blythe-Mrs. Dilbert), Matt Christie (Father Scrooge-Constable-Young Jacob Marley-Prty Guest-Joe), Evan Wichman (Teen Scrooge-Wandering Spirits), Tiffany Lenkerdorf (Teen Fan), Neal Johnson* (Fred-Young Scrooge), Al Rauch (John Edmond-Party Guest-Ghost of Christmas Future-Poultry Man), Debbie Chambers (Mrs. Cratchit), Cassie Diedolf (Martha Cratchit), Tameshaa Ventiere (Belinda Cratchit), Travis Southard (Peter Cratchit), Marty Courtney* (Marley’s Ghost), Mike Catrillo (Wandering Spirits-Ghost of Christmas Present), Sara Furguson (Wandering Spirits-Belle-Matilda), Molly Brunkard (Wandering Spirits-Adult Fan), Nance Brown (Ghost of Christmas Present), Maili Johnson (Child Fan-Fred and Gloria’s Children-Want), Matt Catrillo (Boy Scrooge-Newsboy), Antoinette Martinelli (Mrs. Fezziwig-Party Guest-Mrs. Haversham), Jessica Johnson (Gloria), Liam Johnson (Fred and Gloria’s Children-Ignorance), Simone Colon (Party Guest), Michael Repsher (Baby Jesus), Kari Repsher (Mary), Casey Repsher (Joseph), Emiko Okamoto and Sosha Young (Villagers), and Keyanna Colon, Samatha Schilling, Sydney Southland, Faith Rivera, Edi Martionovic, Adriana Negron, Victoria Negron, Jacob Smith, Vicky Ortiz, Theresa Ortiz, and Mikey Ortiz ass the Merry Villagers. Understudies were Liz Rivera for Mrs. Cratchit and Wayne Doddard for Bob Cratchit.

Production staff included Michael Harron* (Director), Kieth Labar (Musical Director), Joanne Barbetta (Stage Manager), Liz Egan-Rivera (Asst Stage Manager), Irene Gardner (2nd Asst Stage Manager), Leigh Mundy Fretz (Lighting Design), Mark Conners (Set Design), Nance Brown (Musical Staging), Mary Ann Wichman (Costumes), Arthur Ritter (Sound), The Sherman Staff (Microphones, Lightboard, and Stage Crew), Al Rauch and Byrdie Jacques (Props), and Barbara Dierdolf (Backstate Assistant).

A photograph relating to the production can be found in The Forwardian Arts Society Theatre Gallery under the heading “A Sherman Christmas Carol 12-15-06” on The Forwardian Arts Society Blog at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam. (*) indicates members of The Forwardian Arts Society.