My friend’s husband held out little hope that his kids would make it through a performance of “A Christmas Carol.”
But a swift and exciting 90 minutes later, his boys – 9 and 6 years old – were still in their seats where they had remained silent and transfixed for the whole show.
It’s a small sample set – we can include my 8-year-old son as well – but it helps prove a point: ACT Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol” is one of the most captivating holiday shows out there, even for the video-game crowd.
And I swear this year’s production – the theater’s 36th – was even more action-packed than in previous years, under the splendid direction of Allison Narver.
The show was the best kind of holiday chestnut, an old favorite that, remarkably, doesn’t get old.
And veteran actor Jeff Steitzer, who has appeared on Broadway, off Broadway and in films and television, had that kind of penetrating voice, spot-on wit and genuine pathos to deliver a most satisfying Scrooge. It was truly incredible to watch Steitzer’s Scrooge transform from rotten nasty (“If they’d rather die they better do it now and decrease the surplus population”) to adorably sweet (“I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all year”). Steitzer gave us the miracle of great acting.
Author Charles Dickens’ timeless tale takes us on a journey through Scrooge’s transformation, as he goes from horrible miser to giddy philanthropist one Christmas in London in 1843.
The transformation begins when Scrooge is visited on Christmas Eve by his former partner Jacob Marley, who is now dead and covered in chains and rags and played frighteningly by Burton Curtis.
Marley warns Scrooge he will be visited by three spirits of Christmas: past, present and future, who help remind Scrooge of the true meaning of Christmas. My favorite spirit in this production was the ghost of Christmas present, played by a slim and buoyant Timothy McCuen Piggee.
Dickens’ story also focuses on Scrooge’s employee, Bob Cratchit and his poor family, including the sickly child Tiny Tim (Sarah Grace Roberts). Cratchit was played wonderfully by Ian Bell who made me laugh out loud and jerked my tears in a most powerful way.
I took my friend and her family to see ACT’s “A Christmas Carol” as a Christmas present because I want to start a tradition between our families that we go together every year. I hope ACT Theatre continues its tradition of performing “A Christmas Carol” for another 36 years.
“A Christmas Carol” performs at various times through Dec. 24 at ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., Seattle. Tickets are $27 to $42 for children and $27 to $49 for adults. Call 206-292-7676 or go to ACT Theatre.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
