THEATRE REVIEW:
“A Christmas Carol” at San Diego Repertory
Theatre
KPBS
AIRDATE: DECEMBER 8, 2000
Ladies and gentlemen,
and children of all ages…. Step right up to the Scrooge and Marley
Circus. You'll see clowns and jugglers, acrobats and aerialists, a giant, a
midget, a sword-swallower. And, in the center ring, you'll thrill to the
transformation of the hard-hearted, tight-fisted, whip-snapping ringmaster,
Ebenezer Scrooge.
It's not as far-fetched
as it sounds. Circuses were big in Charles Dickens' day. And the author, who
fancied popular entertainment, was quite a showman himself. In the mid-19th
century, Dickens traveled all over -- including stops in the U.S. -- giving
dramatic readings of his most famous story. And now, 25 years after Douglas
Jacobs first adapted "A Christmas Carol" for the San Diego Repertory
Theatre, he has once again created alchemical wizardry. This silver anniversary
production sparkles and shimmers like gold. And it harks back to Jacobs' very
first adaptation of the Christmas classic, which had a commedia dell'arte
flavor. Joan Schirle, founding member of the Dell'Arte Players in northern
California, is credited with the circus concept and direction. And she's done
an outstanding job. There's more than a little magic in Dickens' story, and
there's something undeniably magical about the circus, where people fly through
the air and defy gravity and solemnity at every turn. The marriage was
surprisingly felicitous.
The 20 circus performers
don't detract from the story; they unequivocally serve it. If Scrooge needs to
learn about friendship, family and human interdependence, he couldn't find a
better classroom than the Big Top. The miserly circus-owner insists that his
troupe perform three shows on Christmas Day. And after that, he never sleeps a
wink. His midnight visitations are as enchanting as his performers. True, not
every entertainer is an actor. But the visual treats are so thrilling, you
forgive the weak voice or less-than-credible delivery, and just settle in to
this garden of unearthly delights. First, there's the setting. Fresh from his
brilliantly inventive work on "Mummified Deer," Giulio Cesare Perrone
once again proves himself to be one of the city's most imaginative set -- and
costume! -- designers.
From his circus tent
interior to his creakily mechanical Ghost of Christmas future, Perrone's work
is endlessly enthralling. And it's the perfect backdrop for the talented
performers, many from San Diego's own Fern Street Circus. There's the
magnificent ribbon-twirling acrobatics of choreographer Annetta Lucero, the
haunting music of violinist Dimiter Marinov, the clowning of Rich Bianco, the
comic antics of Matt Walker and the heart-wrenching redemption of Mike Genovese
as Scrooge. The entire endeavor is irresistible… kinda makes you want to run
away and join the circus.
©2000 Patté Productions Inc.