Trinity’s ‘Christmas Carol’ continues to bring joy

Don Fowler
Posted 11/27/14

We have seen every “Christmas Carol” that Trinity has produced, including the years when two versions with different casts were presented.

The annual Christmas gift to Rhode Island continues …

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Trinity’s ‘Christmas Carol’ continues to bring joy

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We have seen every “Christmas Carol” that Trinity has produced, including the years when two versions with different casts were presented.

The annual Christmas gift to Rhode Island continues to bring joy to my wife and me, plus the thousands of men, women and children who watch the transformation of the crotchety old Scrooge into a man who learns to love the true meaning of Christmas.

While we must admit that hearing the same lines and following the same story every year can be a bit exhausting, we are always surprised with the creative ways that the director and cast find to surprise us.

We enter the upstairs Chace Theatre and see only a dull asbestos curtain. The lights dim as the curtain rises while children descend from the upper reaches to the stage to witness the cast singing a Christmas carol.

It is Christmas Eve, and Scrooge and Bob Cratchit are closing up for the evening. It is so cold that Cratchit’s tongue sticks to his cup, the first of many subtle changes that director Taibi Magar has made for the 2014 version.

The challenge for the actors has always been to make their characters come alive, especially for the children in the audience, while giving the adults those precious little moments that produce chuckles…and there are many in this production.

Fred Sullivan is back as Scrooge, and he is as good as ever. The funny, overpowering, veteran actor was born for the role, and he plays it to the hilt. Stephen Thorne, one of the most expressive and agile actors in Trinity’s troupe, is the perfect Cratchit, making us laugh as he reacts to his demanding boss and bringing tears to our eyes as he relates to his lame son, Tiny Tim.

I look forward every year to the appearance of local actor Tom Gleadow, recalling his wonderful performance as the narrator, a technique not used this year. Gleadow first appears as a scary Jacob Marley, changing his costume and demeanor in Stave II for a jolly Mr. Fezziwig and showing up again in Stave IV as Old Joe.

Anne Scurria follows suit, giving a classic portrayal of Scrooge’s maid, a hard-of-hearing Mrs. Partlet. A quick costume change and she joins Gleadow as an equally jolly Mrs. Fezziwig.

The appearance of the three ghosts is always highly anticipated, and Joe Wilson Jr. thrills the audience with his outlandish costume and acrobatic ability as he flies over the audience as the Ghost of Christmas Present.

Elsie Hudson makes a beautiful, believable Ghost of Christmas Past. We don’t get to see Ralph Adriel Johnson under his scary costume, but he’ll send chills up your spine.

In general, this is a bright and cheery “A Christmas Carol,” with music, dancing, snow falling, bright costumes by Olivera Gajic and a wonderful cast of local children.

There are a few dark moments, especially from Marley’s ghost and the huge, dark Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, which sent at least two children and their fathers rushing for the exit.

There is one big surprise near the end that we’ll save for you to enjoy. The play’s director becomes a film director for a few minutes, creating a piece starring Sullivan that adults will love.

Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” plays through Christmas Eve at Trinity. Call 351-4242 for reservations.

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