Take the timeless tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella, “A Christmas Carol.” Add songs from a 1963 musical comedy by Richard Morris, Dolores Claman and Ted Wood. And finish it off with a steampunk retro-futuristic theme from the late-1980s.
What you get is the current offering by the Edmonds Driftwood Players. “Mr. Scrooge” continues on stage at the Wade James Theatre through Dec. 18.
Directed by Cornish graduate Kylie McKenzie Soder, with musical direction by Driftwood’s resident trombonist Mark Press, the show has a talented cast of all ages who bring great energy to the production.
“Mr. Scrooge” has an accurate Victorian setting — albeit a neo-Victorian one owing the steampunk take — which is addressed by Soder in the program. The setting includes lots of gears, steam-powered mechanics, robotic movements by some of the characters and fun costumes. The designers and crew deserve congratulations.
“Steampunk just seemed to fit,” Soder said.
In an age of pessimism about technology and the future, Soder said, “… I picked steampunk because of its wonderfully optimistic nature.”
Veteran actor Jeff Strom is Ebeneezer Scrooge, and his nice singing voice adds to his lovely portrayal of the bitter-old-man-turned-loving-gentleman.
Jonathan Olsen is a believable as Bob Cratchit, a family man who puts up with the worst of his employer Scrooge’s grumpy nature. His wife is played by Stephanie Kroschel, who just about steals the family scenes with her exuberance. Chloe Cook does a nice job as Tiny Tim.
One of my favorite actors in the show is Sydney Kaser, who takes on the roles of Scrooge’s housekeeper Mrs. Dilber, the wild Mrs. Fezziwig and one of the rag pickers.
Patrick J. Lucey-Conklin was great as Jacob Marley, as was Randy West as Mr. Fezziwig, Kevin Tanner as Scrooge’s nephew Fred, and Laura McFarlane as young Scrooge’s fiance Isabel.
Look to see who doubles as ghosts of Christmases past, present and future.
Other cast members include Griffin Price, Karsten Lomax, Elise McFarland, Margaret West and Amelie Whitesell.
Some of the songs in the show have a sort of mid-century modern goofiness to them, but they seem to fit with the steampunk theme.
For a different sort of Christmas carol, check out the work from Driftwood.
If you go
“Mr. Scrooge,” 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays (and Saturday, Dec. 3) through Dec. 18 at the Wade James Theatre, 950 Main St., Edmonds.
Tickets — $25, or $22 for seniors, students and military personnel — are available at www.edmondsdriftwoodplayers.org or 425-774-9600, option 1.
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