Center Repertory Company Ushers in the Holiday Season with the West Coast Premiere of “A Christmas Carol”
By Jan Miller
Center Repertory Company ushers in the holiday season with the West Coast premiere of its new adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol”, adapted by award-winning playwright Harrison David Rivers, and directed by multimedia visionary Jared Mezzocchi. It is currently performing at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts (1601 Civic Dr., Walnut, Creek, CA), running through Sunday, December 21, 2005.
In this heartfelt and lively new adaptation, a young Tim Cratchit makes a wish on a candle, invoking a series of ghostly visitors to the bedside of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Ray Wisely). Then, the ultimate “humbug” curmudgeon is whisked away on a journey of awakening.
Center REP’s premiere of “A Christmas Carol” departs from the traditional Charles Dicken’s novella as it has its own original twist, being told through Tim Cratchit’s perspective. Tim (Brayden K. Sinkay), and others in this performance, use wheelchairs. This is a unique master stroke of the production in that it is presented in association with AXIS Dance Company – one of the nation’s most acclaimed ensembles of disabled, non-disabled, and neurodiverse performers. Playwright Harrison David Rivers’ retelling highlights the necessity of caring for the most vulnerable among us while delivering a profound note of compassion to Dickens’ beloved story.
The collaboration with AXIS Dance Company expands that vision even further, with multiple cast members in wheelchairs, etc., and showcases how artistry and accessibility can come together to create a story that truly belongs to everyone!
This adaptation of such a great classic focuses on young Tim, and emphasizes what a wish can do when all one wants is more empathy in this world. It’s a very timely adaptation, full of joy and compassion for a community that learns to cherish its past, present, and future, and embraces the heart of the season.
The cast is extensive, with Michael Ray Wisely taking centerstage as a very convincing Scrooge. Several other primary members take on multiple roles, including Skyler Sullivan (Scrooge’s nephew Fred, past employer Fezziwig, and the Ghost of Christmas Present), Hyacinth Taylor, (who plays both the Ghost of Christmas Past, and Scrooge’s sister), and Jomar Tagatac, who takes on the roles of the long-suffering Bob Cratchit and the Ghost of Jacob Marley.
Nationally acclaimed director Jared Mezzocchi immerses the audience in a dazzling blend of digital design and live stage magic, bringing the stage to vivid life in this time-honored tale that focuses on asking the audience to contemplate the value of empathy over financial profits.
Center REP has assembled an award-winning team of behind-the-scene artists for this all-new production of this treasured holiday classic. The choreography (Nadia Adame), scenic design (Nina Ball) and costume designs (Brooke Kesler) are all particularly stunning.
For tickets or more information please visit LCATicketss@lesherartscenter.org or phone (925) 943-7469.
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Photo caption: The full company of Center REP’s “A Christmas Carol”. (Photo by Kevin Berne)