A glorious Christmas tradition at Glendale Centre Theatre

---Theatre review

Continuing in a holiday tradition for the 45th year, the Glendale Centre Theatre presents an even better (if that´s possible) musical adaptation of Charles Dickens´ A CHRISTMAS CAROL with more music, special effects and Christmas good cheer than ever. It´s an old familiar story, but GCT tells it with refreshing style and gentle humor…a true family holiday treasure.

After a few introductory words by director Tim Dietlein and a quote about Mr. Dickens´ story, "May it haunt your houses pleasantly," the musical opens with a jovial full-company number.

Beaming faces, lively singing and dancing, and brief vignettes of characters and scenes to come, wrapped in gorgeous period costumes, swirling and promenading on stage and up the aisles, make a sumptuous, memorable picture that thankfully is repeated at the play´s end.

When the lights finally dim and the telling of the story begins in earnest, our eyes are bright with anticipation, as Dietlein gives the famous "dead as a doornail" quote. Then from alternating corners of this theater-in-the-round, narrators tell the story of the miserly Scrooge (played by the lovable and beloved veteran actor, Mario diGregorio, who´s reprising the role for the 34th time).

As first Marley (James Warnock), and then the Ghosts of Christmases Past (Cynthia Stults), Present (Tim Dietlein) and Future (Christopher Gomez) show Scrooge glimpses of himself and snatches of his words, we see the stingy old fellow experiencing nostalgia, regret and finally anguish.

Scenes that are particularly poignant for him are those with Belle, the sweet girl who might have been his wife, had his heart not been hardened by greed. Looking back on the scene of her departure, the despairing Scrooge sings of the love that might have been. Who knew that DiGregorio could evoke tears from the audience with this tender song?

As always, theatergoers embrace the endearing Cratchit family with its loving and hard-working father (James Betteridge), feisty wife (Tosca Minotto), and of course the diminutive, but big-hearted Tiny Tim (played by the precocious, ginger-haired Asher Gilbert).

A playful incident occurs at the Cratchit Christmas dinner when the rascally Ghost of Christmas Present takes (and eats!) a piece of pumpkin pie left on the mantle. Poor Peter Cratchit (Jeremy Zadoorian) gets the blame! But when Christmas Future takes him to the Cratchit home later, Scrooge is heartbroken to see them in mourning over the loss of Tiny Tim.

Finally, after a graveyard scene in which he sees a tombstone bearing his own name, Scrooge promises to change his ways … and he does! In a bright courtyard scene early Christmas morning, he encounters the people he´s shunned or cheated and surprises them with good cheer and generous gifts, reminding the audience (if he were in a red suit) of another generous Christmas fellow.

After the play´s narrators confirm that Scrooge has indeed reformed, promising always to "keep Christmas in his heart" the story closes with Tiny Tim´s traditional "God bless us everyone!" Thoroughly entertained and in a holiday mood, the audience leaves the theater, accompanied by joyful caroling in the lobby and flurries of snow outside. (No kidding!)

A CHRISTMAS CAROL plays matinees and evenings through December 23, with special performances and times. Tickets are $21.00 – $28.00. For information and reservations, call (818) 244-8481 or visit online at www.glendalecentretheatre.com

Glendale Centre Theatre is located at 324 N. Orange St, Glendale, CA 91203