THEATER REVIEW ‘Christmas Carol’ A Heart-warming Delight In Harwich

The Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre’s holiday show is a great way to introduce Dickens' “A Christmas Carol” to young children and for all to embrace the season. This delightful production of the classic Christmas story is historically accurate in costume design, set design and even dialogue, all of which add to the tale's charm. Then, when you factor in the talented performances and crisp direction, you have a winning holiday outing for the entire family. 

Everyone is familiar with the curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge. The word “Scrooge” has entered the vocabulary, conjuring up a miserly, cheap and mean person. Scrooge seems to hate everyone and every occasion. He’s just a miserable human being. Amazingly, he is unable to see anything good or feel good about anything around him. And he’s surrounded by goodness. This abridged adaptation by Eric Hill sums up the story without missing a beat.  

Scrooge goes home on Christmas Eve grumbling and muttering about all the happy people without concern for Bob Cratchit and his family, the carolers on the street, and the businessmen hounding him about this or that. He just wants to be left alone. But his slumber is invaded by his past, present and future in the form of ghosts with magical powers revealing what he’s done and can do, and the consequences. Will these windows in time show him the errors of his ways? Can Scrooge change?  

This theater company has assembled a cast of 32 actors from ages 8 to 78, both experienced and new, to fill the stage and our hearts. Director Jane Staab has a deft hand and it shows. The large cast never stumbles or flounders; they just rejoice in the message of the play. It’s difficult to single out anyone because everyone is just so good. 

After the show, my theater companions and I all mentioned how adorable the “three gents" were and we also loved Neil Gustafson’s excellent performance as Scrooge. Gustafson embodied the grumpy old soul and transformed convincingly. The “Ghosts” were also spellbinding: Shiloh Pabst (admittedly a favorite of mine) as Christmas Past, Martha Paquin as Christmas Present, and Zendon Donoho as Christmas “Yet to Come” were all excellent as they took us on the journey with Scrooge. Oh, to be able to look back, see our past, here and now and what might come, right? That would be enlightening to us all. 

The huge cast consists of talent here, there, and everywhere. They are Toby Wilson (Charles Dickens), Aidan Gustafson (Young Scrooge), Karen McPherson (the ghost of Jacob Marley), Ed Donovan (Fezziwig), Jillian Annessi (Mrs. Fezziwig), Tyler Gula (Bob Cratchit), Samantha Walker (Mrs. Cratchit), Stella Seufert (Martha Cratchit), Sam Bonwit (Peter Cratchit), Evangeline Bonwit (Dorit Cratchit), Hanna Fitzpatrick (Tiny Tim) and the ensemble (Stevie Carter, Julianne Bonwit, Mason Maas, Olive Dinubila, Brayden Carlson, Elise Daniel, Gianna Casale, Deanna Dziedzina, Savannah Baran, Amelia Medeiros, Aria Nickerson, Ashlynn Nee, Shelby Ervin, Charlee Donoho, Andy Bonwit, Connie Chan and Alana Alcantara. They deserved the applause at the curtain call. They transported the audience into a simpler time with a timeless message. 

James P. Byrne’s set design, Matt Kohler’s lighting and sound design, and Laurel Conrad’s choreography (the dancing was adorable) along with Karen Milkey’s era-accurate costumes and Mary Beth Travis’s props all add to the magic of the show. Backstage sustaining the theater magic are stage manager Laura Froeschner, sound operator Isabella Ramsey, light operator Alex Ingraham and run crew Ella Froeschner. 

It is a magical show. If you think you know the story, revisit it or bring a child with you (ages 6 and up) to open their eyes to what the holidays are all about. The show runs for about 90 minutes with a brief intermission. Fun holiday refreshments are available during the intermission.  A great family outing this season. Don’t miss it!  

"A Christmas Carol" 

At Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre, Division Street, West Harwich.

Through Dec. 29, Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Additional performances on Dec. 5, 23, and 26 at 7 p.m.

Dec. 15  at 2 p.m. ASL interpreted performance.

Dec. 21  at 2 p.m. Sensory Friendly performance

Information and reservations: 508-432-2002, ext. 2, www.capecodtheatrecompany.org