Clarence Brown's 'Christmas Carol' is holiday hit

David Kortemeier as Scrooge trembles at Jed Diamond's performance as Marley in Clarence Brown Theatre's "A Christmas Carol."

Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" was an immediate hit when published in December of 1843. More than 160 years later, the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, ghosts and sickly child called Tiny Tim has been told by everyone from the Muppets to George C. Scott.

This is the fifth season the University of Tennessee's Clarence Brown Theatre has performed this "Carol" adaptation by Edward Morgan and Joseph Hanreddy. But like the original tale, this version has lost none of its appeal.

Dickens called his story "a whimsical sort of masque intended to awaken loving and forbearing thoughts." Morgan, who directs the Clarence Brown production, also sees it as a ghost story and a tale of loss and redemption. Under his direction, "Carol" is both a warm tribute to Dickens' work and to the story's deeper meaning.

The play's mix of professional actors, UT theater students and child and community actors interact to create the feel of Victorian London. The music of traditional carols like "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is almost another character, creating a connecting fabric to bridge parts of the play and underscore the story's emotions. While "Carol" deals with poverty, family loss and social responsibility, this story includes several comic moments that delighted its opening night audience. Sometimes the comedy comes in the form of one line or a small action, as when a gravedigger knocks on Marley's casket before declaring him dead. Other times it's in longer scenes as with the budding romance played out by Magan Wiles and Ricardo Birnbaum in small roles as Miss Lucy and Mr. Topo.

But "Carol" is the story of Scrooge, and David Kortemeier's masterful performance is this production's core. Kortemeier's Scrooge is the meanest of mean, a loud, strong and forceful miser who spits his words as he stalks across the stage. But he's even more compelling as his character begins to change, often showing that evolution in facial expressions and small, meaningful gestures.

Conrad Ricamora plays Scrooge's nephew, Fred, with compassion and high spirits; Magan Wiles is excellent in the very different roles of Miss Lucy and young Scrooge's fiancee Belle. Terry Weber's Bob Cratchit is a good contrast to Kortemeier's Scrooge.

Jed Diamond plays several cameos but his key part is as the smoke-billowing, chain-wrapped ghost of Jacob Marley. Diamond is both so tormented and terrifying that his performance earned a round of applause from the opening night crowd.

This is the last year for the Morgan-Hanreddy "Carol" though Clarence Brown is considering another version of Dickens' story for the 2011-12 season. So amid this season's holiday bustle, give yourself a gift. Spend two hours and 15 minutes (including intermission) at "A Christmas Carol." Join in singing the play-ending "Joy to the World." And look for the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come at curtain call. It may just be decked in holly.

© 2011, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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