The Ensemble (Photo by Craig Schwartz)
Reviewed by Julyza Commodore
A Noise Within
Thru December 24th
RECOMMENDED
Unless you’ve been orbiting Jupiter, you’ll know that Charles Dickens’s perennially staged A Christmas Carol tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge (Geoff Elliott), a cold hearted and unhappy man who is transformed into a kinder and gentler being after being visited from the dead by his former business partner, Jacob Marley (Jeremy Rabb) as well as the Ghost of Christmas Past (Trisha Miller), Present (Anthony Adu) and Future (Jose Donado). Of course, all of this magic ensues during the Christmas season.
However, it’s what the cast and crew bring to each one that truly makes it special. Geoff Elliott’s particular adaptation blends sadness, humor, and joyousness, largely because of how well each cast member embodies their role. Elliott, portraying the miser Scrooge, has clearly gotten to the point of playing him to where the character fits him like a glove and is deepened because of it; the character transformation that he undergoes is so apparent and well done throughout the show. Emerging from the spookiness of a world inhabited by ghosts, the joyous ensemble brings exuberance and happiness to the forefront. With costuming design by Angela Balogh Calin, there is an added level of joy with the beautiful and bright garb that the ensemble dons. In addition to this, the original music by Robert Oriol is equally delightful and emotion-stirring.
For buffs of holiday tradition, played traditionally, this production is built on a rock solid craft, serving as a reminder that happiness and goodness are here if we choose to see and appreciate them.
A Noise Within, 3352 E Foothill Blvd, Pasadena; Fri.-Sat., 7 pm, Sat.-Sun., 2 pm, Tues.-Thurs., Dec. 19-21, 7 pm; thru Dec. 24. www.anoisewithin.org
