Disabilities Disappear on Stage for Performers in "A Christmas Carol"
Pam Vetter
December 20, 2008
Featuring both performers with disabilities and able-bodied performers on one stage, Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" was produced by The Media Access Office and Gabriel Rayes Productions. Directed by Tom Ardavany, "A Christmas Carol" is meant to move the audience and it delivers on many levels as the disabilities disappear on stage while the audience focuses on the performances, story and actors of equal talent. That is a credit to the director for the show's comfortable pacing and the narrator's flow of story.
The traditional story focuses on a miser known as Ebenezer Scrooge. Played by actor Daniel Zacapa, Scrooge is angry, cruel and makes an impact with the vocal bark of "humbug!" When Scrooge pushes the wheelchair users outside and yells in the faces of youth carolers, you instantly understand this character's ugliness.
On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by his business partner's ghost, Jacob Marley (actor Benjamin Ciaramello). Marley's Ghost is one of the most dramatic characters in the show, as he captures the depths of despair, while he drags chains wrapped around his body. Incredible makeup helps to convert his character. As the action unfolds, he effectively shows an emotional outrage, which envelops his soul.
As promised, three spirits follow with visits.
The Spirit of Christmas Past (actress Lucy Hagan) was ethereal and magical on stage. It seemed perfect casting as the Narrator describes the ghost with "the body of a child and the face of a cherub." Hagan's spiritual character rolls down a ramp and flies across the stage as her peach and white skirt floats into the air. To the audience, she really was a ghost. No spirit has ever been more convincing on stage.
The Spirit of Christmas Present (actress Lisa Tharps) delivered a powerful stage voice that instantly caught the attention of the audience. The faceless Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come takes a back seat to the action, as he's speechless and draped in a solid black cloak.
When Dora, a beautiful woman walked on stage, it was nice to see her use sign language. Rarely do we see an actress in the theatre who is deaf. Very talented, actress Lexi Marman brought laughter and smiles from the audience as she clearly was enjoying the role with an honest sense of adventure. She is a talented young lady, who you will hear about again.
The two child spirits, Ignorance and Want, also made an impact. David Militello, who plays the role of Ignorance flew into town with his family to do the production. His work can be seen on www.YouTube.com.
Want (young actress Kayley Stallings) delivered a powerful performance. As the little girl sang a simple tune, it was so disturbingly haunting that thoughts of it may keep this writer up at night.
Bob Cratchit (actor Gerard Marzilli) and his wife (actress Alysha Brady) were authentic in their emotions as they mourned the loss of Tiny Tim.
The two Solicitors (Alice Diehl and Andy Arias) were wonderful on stage, using period piece wheelchairs. As they joked about the death of Scrooge, it rang harsh but true, as no one wanted to go to his funeral unless food was provided. Diehl delivered the delightfully delicious line, "I'll go, but only if I'm fed."
When thieves steal Scrooge's white shirt from his body, because it was too good to bury a bad man in, clearly there was no emotion in facing this man's death. Unlike modern day funerals that celebrate the life, the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come reveals a community celebrating the death of Ebenezer Scrooge. If you've lost someone in real life or attended a funeral recently, "A Christmas Carol" hits home and reminds us to make a positive mark while we still have the opportunity.
Traditional to the period piece, Scrooge finds his future in the cemetery and faces a dramatic transformation. Looking around the theatre as Scrooge became enlightened, boxes of tissues were worthy of this performance.
A group of fabulous actors, the audience was transported into a story that reminds us to find a mission and make a positive difference in this world before it's too late.
Charles Dickens' "A CHRISTMAS CAROL"
Dedicated to Corey Allen
Directed by Tom Ardavany
Produced by Destin Rayes Productions, Friends of Californians with Disabilities, The Media Access Office & Scott Krantz
Scenic Art Director & Lighting by Serge Genitempo
Costumes Provided by Metropolitan Educational Theatre Network, Osa Danam, Terri Navarra
Associate Producer & Production Stage Manager, Consuelo Bingham Mira
Casting by David S. Zimmerman
Make-up Artist, Minnie Fox
"A Christmas Carol" runs four days only, December 18-21, at The Edgemar Center for the Arts. The Edgemar Theatre is located at 2437 Main Street, Santa Monica, California. For more information or tickets call (818) 409-0448.
To read a related article on "A Christmas Carol" visit "'A Christmas Carol' Propels I AM PWD Campaign, Features Tribute to Director Corey Allen".
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