Hi 52 / Lo 32
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Hi 52 / Lo 32 |
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Volume 68, Issue 70,
Thursday, December 5, 2002
Arts & Entertainment Scrooge
returns to Alley in solid form
By Lindsey Bowers The Daily Cougar
Opening night for the Alley
Theatreis annual production of A Christmas Carol showed off one of the
cityis best entertainment options for the holiday season. Presenting quality
entertainment at an almost reasonable cost, the Alley is great for families
or friends looking to get into the holiday spirit.
Written as a novel by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, A Ghost Story of Christmas was adapted especially for the Alley by director Stephen Rayne. The song, dance and decor of this splendid Christmas classic will no doubt delight children. While it has some heavy underlying dramatic elements, this play can also cater to adults who have become frustrated with the modern concept of Christmas. The main characteris self-reflective trek on Christmas Eve just might cause adults to make a change in their own lives in the spirit of the holiday season.
In the Alley Theatreis adaptation of Charles Dickensi A Christmas Story, A Ghost Story of Christmas, David Rainey (left) and James Belcher help audiences remember the true reasons for Christmas. Jim Caldwell/The Alley Theatre
First
published in England in 1843, the play is a timeless tale that takes audiences
along for Ebenezer Scroogeis journey with spirits from his past, present
and future. By viewing scenes from his life and realizing the consequences
of the path he has chosen, Scroogeis feelings about charity and the holiday
season turn from 'Bah, humbug” to 'Merry Christmas.”
One particular line stands out in the first act and serves as a premise for the theme of the play. Scroogeis old business partner, Jacob Marley, appears as an apparition, bearing heavy chains, and warns Scrooge not to follow his lead or he will receive the same fate — restless wandering for eternity. Scrooge canit understand why his deceased confidant is cursed with this afterlife and says, 'But you were always such a good man of business.” Marley answers in a deep roar, 'Mankind shouldive been my business!” Marleyis recount encompasses the notion that human interest should come before business and money issues, and there is no time better than Christmas to remember those less fortunate. Actor James Belcher played Scrooge perfectly, defining particular character movements and exhibiting the utmost commitment to his character. This actor was alone onstage with the simplest of stage direction and still had audiences chuckling in their seats. Belcher first appeared at the Alley 13 years ago and received his M.F.A. in directing from UH. The scene featuring Scroogeis younger counterpart and his only, love Belle, played by former UH thespian Jennifer Cherry, was quite the tearjerker. It was dripping with such realism that I felt like I was going through the breakup myself. The choreography is never boring, but awkward at times. It is distinct and unlike other elements in the play. It sometimes disables the technical balance by drawing too much attention to itself. Also, the singing is presented in a half-live, half-previously-recorded format. That would normally be all right, but it sounds a bit fake and is extremely noticeable to the audience. Again, itis just another element that disrupts the flow of the play.
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