Review: A Christmas Carol 2024 by Zach Theatre
by Michael Meigs

Zach Theatre's rocking A Christmas Carol is an evening of delighted joy and celebration, as always—or, at least, as it has been throughout the past decade. Producing artistic director Dave Steakley's rethink of the Dickens cautionary tale has little of sin, gloom, avarice and death about it. It's anchored with the charismatic talents of Kenny Williams and Roderick Sanford, back again to charm us not only with their extraordinary voices but also with Williams' bouncy insouciance and looming Sanford's good-natured gravity. 

 

 

The ensemble for the story is top-notch, as good as (probably better than) that of a touring company. The athletic dancers make Jen Young Mahlsted's choreography sparkle, Steakley's blocking dazzles with movement and detail, and Sarah Branche Towne's costumes are apt and colorful. Allen Robertson elicits spot-on vocals for the recorded music. And, as ever, all the design elements are imaginative and evocative.

 

I treated my son-in-law to this production. Recently relocated to Austin, he loves the Christmas holidays. At the end of the first act of this whirlwind spectacle, he turned to me to say, "This is great—but where's the Christmas music?" 

 

Steakley's inspiration was to layer the relatively simple story of the evangelization and conversion of grasping old Ebenezer Scrooge with pop hits still vivid in the audience's mind. The music and dance hit our pleasure buttons. As a result, both the story and the Christmas holiday itself fade into the background. That might not be a defect; we all go into the impressive space of the Topfer Theatre knowing the tale and endorsing the simple admonition not to be a Grinch, and by late November when this production opens, we're already caught up in the Christmas rush. Or, at least, the commercial rush of Christmas. The pounding rhythms of "All Night Long" in Act One and "Celebration" in Act Two capture that.

 

To be fair, the second act does deliver some memorable performances of Christmas standards, including Paul Everett Wood's "Oh, Holy Night" and, especially, Jill Blackwood Holmes's accomplished stadium-diva delivery of "Joy to the World." 

 

Steakley's casting of New York actor Peter Frechette was a special draw to me this year. Last June, Frechette was the senior of the three actors in Zach Theater's The Lehman Trilogy. Over the years, the succession of actors in the role of Scrooge has been reminiscent of the transformations of Dr. Who, and I was keen to see what Frechette would do. Unfortunately, not much. As the crabbed, unhappy victim of life and sequential hauntings amid disco-world rejoicing, he was overshadowed and given little to work with. One memorable squence reminded me of what we were missing: as Holmes, the spirit of Christmas present, provides him with a cup of "Christmas spirit" for the revolving-stage tour of other households, Frechette cleverly portrays delight and increasing inebriation as he downs the draft and trails her along the way.

 

The depth of talent in this show was demonstrated by what my son-in-law came to call "Martha moments." Gabrielle North, an undergraduate at St. Edward's University in the ensemble who also appears as Martha, one of the Crachit family's several adopted children, steps out of that family circle to deliver a heart-wrenching song of lamentation. In similar fashion, Jordan Barron pops out of the ensemble and tears it up dancing and singing "Uptown Funk." It's hard to catch the rewritten lyrics at that tempo, but his number is memorable nevertheless.

 

This Christmas Carol is unlikely ever to disappear. Or at least, hardly ever. Five weeks, nine performances from Tuesday to Sunday including matinees on the weekends, and it's bound to have many sold-out houses. For better or worse, this is the quintessential Austin Christmas experience. Everyone should see it at least once before they die.

EXTRA

Click to view excerpts from Zach Theatre's Christmas Carol

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A Christmas Carol (Zach Theatre)
by various
Zach Theatre

November 20 - December 29, 2024

Zach Theatre Topfer mainstage

Special Events in celebration of A Christmas Carol:

• Pay What You Will Week – Wednesday, November 20 through Sunday, November 24, 2024
• Pride Night – Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 7:30pm.
• Champagne Opening - Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 7:30 pm
• ASL Performance – Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 2:30pm and Sunday, December 22, 2024 at 7:30pm

Based on the Book by Charles Dickens

Fezziwig's Festive Feast

Enjoy A Christmas Carol like never before with Fezziwig’s Festive Feast! Simply book your seats in The Topfer's Bartop section (House Left and Right, Row K) and indulge in holiday treats throughout the show. With a collectible souvenir cup, a delicious Tiny Tina Mocktail, popcorn, hot chocolate, and a special holiday cookie, this festive package brings extra cheer to your A Christmas Carol experience and seats are limited, so book yours today!

Scrooge's Suite Soiree

Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of A Christmas Carol at ZACH Theatre in a whole new way! Gather up to 8 guests and enjoy the show from The Topfer's exclusive Director's Booth, transformed into Scrooge's Suite for the holiday season. You and your group will be treated to popcorn, cookies, and assorted holiday treats while taking in the festive magic of this beloved holiday tradition. Scrooge's Suite Reservations begin at $1,600 for the group; If you're interested in reserving this experience, please email scroogessuite@zachtheatre.org.

Book Tickets