‘A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story Told by Jefferson Mays’

 I usually choose my holiday (think Christmas) plays very carefully. Seen once and I’m on to a non- holiday show. So, when a friend asked why I was at the Old Globe to see a Christmas Carol, I had to answer ‘Jefferson Mays’. 

Mays is like a chameleon, changing from one character to another as simply as the way he walks, prances, skips, jumps, weaves, moves his hands, and looks over his shoulders, changes his voice tones and, with absolutely no music, costume changes, props, save a small table with a pitcher of water and an empty glass, the Dickens version of “A Christmas Carol” begins. 

But I get ahead of myself. A little introduction: Directed by Artistic Director Barry Edelstein and written by Mays, Susan Lyons ( Mays’ wife)and Michael Arden, Mays is no stranger to The Old Globe. In 2017 he won a Tony for his performance in “I Am My Own Wife” at the Old Globe where he played 40 different characters. He was also Tony nominated for the Broadway musical, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”. So, yes. Jefferson Mays

Mays simply enters the stage and begins to tell the audience how, when he was a child, his parents used to read the Dickens tale to their children, each taking turns at reading and before we know it, we are immersed in the ‘Ghost Story of A Christmas Carol” with the likes of Ebenezer Scrooge (Bah Humbug), the ghost of Mr. Marley, Scrooge’s long ago partner, Bob Cratchit, his clerk, and his family including Tiny Tim, Scrooge’s family and the ghosts of Christmas’, past and present. 

Without intermission, and for 90 minutes straight Mays continues the story, leaving nothing but our imaginations to ‘watch’ the tale unfold. To call it a masterpiece in storytelling would be an understatement; it is nothing less than brilliant.  

If you are interested in seeing a holiday show that's a tad bit different,   ‘A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story Told by Jefferson Mays’ would be your choice.

Enjoy.

See you at the theater. 

When: Opens Dec. 12 and runs through Dec. 22. 7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays

Where: Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, the Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego

Photo: Jim Cox

Tickets: $64 and up

Phone: 619-234-5623

Online: theoldglobe.org

“MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: A RADIO PLAY”

 

New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad is currently mounting a live radio play based on the 1947 movie “Miracle on 34th Street”. Adapted by Lance Arthur Smith with original songs (26 in all with advertising jingles,  Christmas songs, 40’s harmonies a la The Andrew Sisters). With arrangements by Jon Lorenz and musical direction by E.Y. Washington, it is not only a live radio play, it is also a music and dancing show (Choreographer Luke H. Jacobs) with pretty basic moves singing and performing) in front of  standing mic's all the way through. With a seven member ensemble playing multiple parts and a quick change of costume, all in period,  (Janet Pitcher) that’s stage ready at the drop of a hat, New Village Arts hit the jackpot on this one. 

Both movie and current adaptation carry the underlying message of believing in ourselves, having faith in ourselves and the world around us. 

The musical play opens by introducing the players. On the top of the two tiered set (Michael Wogulis, lighting, Annelise Salazar, sound, Evan Eason, audio, Marcus Rico) are all the little noise making and technical goodies used by the announcer, Alex (Jaxon Smith) simulating a live radio show.

 Tyler C .Jiles, Olivia Pence, Jaxon Smith, Sophia Larosh, 

                                                            Dan Mason

One of the movers and shakers of the group is Doris Walker (Olivia Pence), an event coordinator at Macy’s and a recent divorcee who does not want to be hurt again by believing. Sadly, her mis-trust for people around her is seen in that attitude from her daughter, Susan (Lena Palke) and her next door neighbor and lawyer friend, Fred (Tylor C. Jiles). 

Tylor C. Jiles, Lena Palke, Olivia Pence and Jaxon Smith

When Macy’s Dept. store is looking for a Santa (the in store one has an affinity for too much booze), Doris is skeptical that a man calling himself Kris Kringle ( Durwood Murray) enters the picture. Now you tell me.

After some harsh interrogation by a so called interrogator, to get to the bottom of who Kringle actually is, (Dan Mason, playing several characters and sporting a German accent that is totally unnecessary and offensive in this setting,) Kringle is hired and then fired. But that’s not the end of this Kringle er Santa. 

Lena Palke

The talent runs deep in this setting as co-directors Faith Carrion and Kay Marian McNellen’s manage to gift us this holiday season a sense of believing even when the world outside is topsy-turvy.

Outstanding in her role of Doris, Olivia Pence has a voice as pure as gold. (“Melancholy Halls” and “Miracle” with Tyler C. Jiles ). The entire ensemble, Tyler C. Jiles, Sophia Larosh, Dan Mason, Durwood Murray, Lena Palke, Olivia Pence and Jaxon Smith do yeomen's work throughout. 

Like the feel good feeling, happiness, they say  is a state of mind as is the holiday Christmas, spreading good cheer to all. Over the course of the evening those of us in the audience surely picked up on that feeling and especially for someone who used to wear a tee shirt saying “BAH HUMBUG”. While Christmas is not my holiday, I can appreciate the message.

Partial view of the set

See you at the theatre.

When: Playing through Dec. 22nd

Where:  Ray Charles Stage in the Conrad Prebys Theatre               

 787 State Street, Carlsbad, CA, 

Tickets: Start at $40.00

Photo: Olivia Pence

Box Office:  760.433.3245

When: Through Dec. 24th.

newvillagearts.org