A New Take On Classic ‘Christmas Carol’ At The 204

December approaches. Firelit hearths, weathered woods, and all the touches of a proper Christmas season await as a new production of an old tale is aiming to usher forth the holiday spirit.

CAPENESS Arts & Spectacle will be presenting their retelling of “A Christmas Carol” at The 204 Cultural Arts Municipal Building theater in Harwich from Dec. 4 through 20. Described as a “visually dazzling holiday tradition,” the production will unfold entirely by candlelight — a choice director Tristan DiVincenzo said will have an almost mime-like effect.

 “Almost all of the work that I do, including this project and the one that we just did, ‘Ghost Story,’ it’s all based on the way actors approach the character through physicality,” said DiVincenzo. The production is threaded together with live caroling as well, with staples such as “Carol of the Bells” and “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentleman” being featured between scenes by carolers with lantern light, “drawing the audience and ensemble into a shared seasonal heartbeat.”

 “A Christmas Carol” will be the second production for CAPENESS, which recently debuted with “Ghost Story” in October. DiVincenzo explained that as he has grown older he’s developed a deeper appreciation for the season and the significance in picking this story as the company’s next step.

“I think that it’s important right now for our community — things are kind of crazy in the world. Christmas always is about people creating unity and creating optimism.”

 “A Christmas Carol” originated as a novella by Charles Dickens about a man named Ebenezer Scrooge, an infamously cantankerous old coot with a reputation for taking pleasure in the misfortune of others. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by a series of ghosts who show him the errors of his ways, ultimately leading to a question: can even Scrooge change?

Working with the cast, according to DiVincenzo, was a memorable part of the production.

 “I work a lot on my own to build things. I do sound design and projections. That’s a solitary practice — which I love. But I’m really in it for the actors” said DiVincenzo. “For me it’s really about creating a moment for actors who might not have been able to get cast in a show yet — or playwrights or directors to work with them to encourage and foster their craft.”

The production features Jay Stewart as Scrooge, Steph DeFerie as Jacob Marley, Juliet Seeley as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Kate Martin as the Ghost of Christmas Present, and Karen McPherson as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. The rest of the cast includes Chelsey Augenti, Kai Brimdyr, Julianne Bonwit, Sam Bonwit, Teddy Bonwit, Em Entwisle, Coco Kemp, Aria Nickerson, Isabella Petrov, Kate Seeley, Oliver Shaw and Nichole Shaw.

Stewart and DeFerie took a moment from a recent rehearsal to share what they enjoy about their characters.

 “Scrooge is iconic” began Stewart, noting that every actor on stage has had to have thought they could play the role. But that, according to him, wasn’t the biggest draw.

 “Mostly I loved the character arc — going from being convinced he’s right about everything to growing, evolving and making a better decision about his life.”

 “There’s Scrooge and there’s Hamlet” quipped DeFerie.

Later, DeFerie would go on to share an aspect of the production that she enjoyed.

 “Every night we come in and Tristan has something new,” she noted, “and it’s so much fun to see Jay is playing Scrooge completely differently.”

Stewart agreed.

 “It’s a treat for me to work with this cast, because it is a very ensemble, welcome aboard type feeling as you can hear from what Steph’s saying. It’s a great group to get involved with and to play with. It’s like coming home to be with this cast.”

Stewart, DeFerie, and DiVincenzo all remarked that the minimalist feel of the staging, coupled with the candlelight — there are nearly 500 candles — create an immersive experience that should allow the audience to want to engage in the scene that’s created.

 “Use your imagination, jump on board with us, and have a great time,” said Stewart.

The community within CAPENESS and The 204 was something that DiVincenzo commented on as well. As this is the troupe’s second production, more people have taken notice.

 “A lot more people are interested, people from the community and small businesses have approached us and want to partner with us,” he said. “It was an experiment. The idea was not to start a theater, but to generate an energy for this room so that other members of the community can be involved.”