Theatrical Review: Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol

TINY TIM’S CHRISTMAS CAROL
Book by: Michael Harron* (Lyrics) and Rick Cummings (Music)
Based upon the novel “A Christmas carol” by Charles Dickens
Directed by: Michael Harron*
Theatrical Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

The Sherman Theatre* in Stroudsburg, PA presented The Pennsylvania Reparatory Company’s* annual seasonal production of “Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol” by Michael Harron* and Rick Cummings which is based upon the novel “A Christmas carol” by Charles Dickens. However, it’s important to note this work is (as it’s title implies) not Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol but Tiny Tim’s as seen from his perspective. Keeping this in mind allows an audience member to enjoy the play more thoroughly without wondering if anything occurring onstage is what the famous author intended.

The play draw its similarities to the novel by being about an old and embittered miser named Ebenezer Scrooge (as portrayed by Michael Harron*) who is visited by a number of spirits who show him the errors of his ways thus transforming him into a joyous benefactor. Charles Dickens said the novel was a parable about the business community and served as a warning it had best changed it’s greed filled ways or it’ll be destined to collapse with few shedding a tear for its departure. This may have been a perspective worthwhile pursuing in these economic times but this would no longer be Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol and its charm would be diminished.

The play itself proves to be an enjoyable holiday experience which is eagerly awaited by its audience every year. The acting is very well done as is the quality of the musical numbers. The quality of the acting in this production can be seen through the production necessity of multiple casting of a number of its roles.

In many productions when actors are called upon to perform more than one characters, the audience often see a performance which is merely a variation of one character. This was far from being true in this production. The distinction the actors presented between each character they portrayed was such, this reviewer was constantly checking to program to see if the actor was the same person as seen before.

This well acted production consists of Conor Naughton (who portrayed Tiny Tim), Tim Naughton (who portrayed Bob Cratchit), Charles Rosa (who portrayed Mr. Clay and Father Scrooge), Maureen Harms (who portrayed Mrs. Blythe), Ryan Moore (who portrayed Fred and Young Scrooge), Hugh Halsey (who portrayed John Edmond, Male Guest, and the Ghost of Christmas Future), Sydney Southland (who portrayed a Constable and Female Guest # 1), Sean Gaughan (who portrayed a Constable and Teen Scrooge), Amy Cramer* (who portrayed Mrs. Cratchit), Katherine Dodel (who portrayed Martha Cratchit and Belle), Ahna Kollar (who portrayed Belinda Cratchit), Andrew McCarthy (who portrayed Peter Cratchit and Boy on the Street), Byrdie Jacques (who portrayed Mrs. Dilber and served as costumer and in props), Marty Courtney* (who portrayed Marley‘s Ghost and Mr. Fezziwig), Beth Dollard* (who portrayed Ghost of Christmas Past), Madison Joyce (who portrayed Child Fan), Madison Cerniglia (who portrayed Boy Scrooge), Jullian Andres (who portrayed Teen Fan), Jan Brighton (who portrayed Mrs. Fezziwig and Mrs. Haversham), Matt Christie* (who portrayed Young Jacob Marley and Joe the Pawnshop Keeper), Lauren Santarelli* (who portrayed Adult Fan, Gloria), Samantha Muniz (who portrayed Fred‘s Daughter), Liam Naughton (who portrayed Fred‘s Son), Robb Taylor (who portrayed Ghost of Christmas Present whose elves were played by Caileen Dollard, Delaney Dollard, Emily Carmella, and Maria Johnson), Lynda Bolan (who portrayed Female Guest # 2), and Villagers who were portrayed by Mary Bolan, Sophia Lovito, Alyssa Palmigiano, Jessica Oney, Mackenzie Maula, Sophia Pipalo, Sofia Schembari, Kyrsten Bowman, Amanda Franzo, Gabi Wilder, Alyson Wilder, and James Durham.

“Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol” by Michael Harron* and Rick Cummings and based upon the novel “A Christmas carol” by Charles Dickens was Directed by Michael Harron* and Stage managed by Victoria Kollar as assited by Joanne Barbetta. The Musical Director was Susan Wilkins with the Musical Staging provided by Kelly Foley*. Curt Burton was Lighting Designer with Katie Burton and Julius Kollar on the Lightboard while the sound was provided by Glen Kern*. Al Rauch served in the prop department while Mark Dodel, Mike Brightman, Kevin Bolan, Marcy Wilder*, Carman Muniz, June Jegilinski, Ashley Wilder, Julia Leanard, Deb Cerniglia, Karen Schember, and Tracy Martin served in the Stage Crew.

The Pennsylvania Reparatory Company’s* annual seasonal production of “Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol” as performed at The Sherman Theatre* in Stroudsburg, PA proved to be a wonderful addition to the holidays filled with some very good acting and musical numbers. The only unfortunate aspect of this production is it‘s short run for the general public which ends Saturday December 13th. However, a number of students in the area school districts did have the opportunity to experience it as the show is part of The Pennsylvania Reparatory Company’s* “Plays in the Curriculum Series” which was performed for those studying the works of Dickens in their perspective schools. More information on The Pennsylvania Reparatory Company* programs and futures productions by visiting their website at myspace.com/pennsylvaniarepcompany Please contact The Sherman Theatre* at 570-420-2808 or visit their website for more information on their future shows for the holiday season.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.

Note: No Photographs were taken during the performance of this production.