O.C. THEATER REVIEWS : ‘Carol’ an Investment Yule Not Regret

COSTA MESA —  Dickens Lite comes nicely packaged in South Coast Repertory’s 15th annual production of “A Christmas Carol.” The show has all the Yuletide trimmings: radiant party scenes, sentimental warmth, holiday music and, of course, a glowing tale of moral transformation.

Hal Landon Jr. is back for his perennial star turn as Ebenezer Scrooge, playing the world’s nastiest penny pincher with the ease of a practiced meanie. His bony face, minus last year’s grizzly white beard, conveys with a single frown all we need to know about this hardhearted “miser’s miser.”

Though Scrooge’s conversion to Christmas benefactor strains credulity in this production, there is a generous dramatic payoff for audiences willing to suspend their disbelief. Cynics may also take pleasure from the show, even if they’re left cold by his discovery that charity and kindness are not “Bah! Humbug!” after all.

Under John-David Keller’s sharp direction, a large cast in full Victorian regalia fills out the stage with spirited performances. The magical set, abetted by atmospheric lighting and a vivid sound design, offers special effects guaranteed to entertain adults while scaring the daylights out of small children.

A Southern California institution by now, SCR’s “A Christmas Carol” ranks as a cultural rite of passage as surely as grad night at Disneyland.

Besides Landon, a polished contingent of SCR veterans is back to reprise their roles:

* Ron Boussom nearly steals the show with his theatrical ebullience as the prankish Spirit of Christmas Present; Don Took plays Marley’s Ghost like a tormented creature from the bottom of the sea; and Richard Doyle personifies foppish elegance as the Spirit of Christmas Past.

* John Ellington portrays Bob Cratchit with adept comic whimsy; Art Koustik doubles as the cunning street merchant Joe and the jovial party host Mr. Fezziwig; Howard Shangraw depicts Scrooge’s nephew Fred with a friendly air of refinement; Devon Raymond sketches in the attractive Belle with a few deft strokes; and director Keller pulls his weight on stage as a solicitor, portrayed with his usual elan.

But please take note: It is far better to see this show surrounded by an audience full of unruly kids than circumspect adults. Whatever the distractions caused by wailing toddlers or youngsters who giggle at every line, they are nothing compared to the deathly silence of a corporate audience.

On opening night, when the house looked like a sea of suits and sequins, the evening seemed oddly low-key--as though energy was being drained off by playgoers, who needed a cattle prod to wake them up.

* “A Christmas Carol,” South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tuesdays-Fridays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, noon and 4 p.m.; matinee Dec. 20 and 22, 2:30 p.m.; Dec. 24, noon and 4 p.m. Ends Dec. 24. $22-$29. (714) 957-4033. Running time: 1 hour, 55 minutes.

Hal Landon Jr.: Ebenezer Scrooge

Howard Shangraw: Fred / Gentleman on the Street

John Ellington: Bob Cratchit

Sharon Omi: Mrs. Cratchit / Rich Woman

Art Koustik: Mr. Fezziwig / Joe

Alma Martinez: Mrs. Fezziwig / Solicitor/Hag

John-David Keller: Solicitor / Gentleman on the Street

Don Took Jacob: Marley’s Ghost / Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come

Richard Doyle: Spirit of Christmas Past / Gentleman on the Street

Ron Boussom: Spirit of Christmas Present / Chimney Sweep

Devon Raymond: Belle / Chandler

Richard Soto: Young Ebenezer / Undertaker

Sam Well / Gianennio Salucci: “Tiny Tim” Cratchit

A South Coast Repertory production of Jerry Patch’s adaptation of the story “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. Directed by John-David Keller. Scenic designer: Cliff Faulkner. Costume designer: Dwight Richard Odle. Lighting designers: Tom and Donna Ruzika. Sound designer: Garth Hemphill. Music director: Dennis Castellano. Choreographer: Linda Kostalik. Production manager: Michael Mora. Stage manager: Bonnie Lorenger.

Other Reviews Inside

* CHRISTMAS WITH SAL AND AMANDA GECKO--Over-the-top at the Gem Theatre. F2

* SCROOGE--The Yorba Linda Civic Light Opera comes through with musical high moments. F2

* CHRISTMAS AT THE DEPOT--La Habra adds some silliness to small-town atmosphere. F2

* Listings of other Orange County productions are on F3.