THE THEATER MIRROR, New England's LIVE Theater Guide
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Granite Theatre's final show of their season is "A Christmas Carol" by Michael Paller. In this script, the audience meets Charles Dickens writing the serialized book in 1843. His muse is the boy hidden inside the author. The conversations between the two Dickens help him to create his novel. The original story is played out by Dickens and his party guests, making it a play within a play. The director of the show is Morgan Ban Draoi who also runs the sound and lights while her daughter, Kendra is the stage manager. David Jepson creates a two story composite set while Wayne Hawkins choreographed the Fezziwig dance number. The script calls for 10 performers to play multiple roles in this version and this different telling of this classic tale helps usher in the festive Christmas season.
Veteran actor Ray Daponte plays the huge role of Charles Dickens and Scrooge. He transforms himself into Scrooge with makeup and a wig. The child Dickens is played by Max Leatham who tells the older Dickens what he is currently writing is not up to snuff. He crumples up writing paper and throws books on the floor. This temper tantrum scene is funny and Ray and Max's best scene is at the end of the play when they are both pleased with the Christmas book and discuss writing his next novel, "Dombey and Son". Another veteran actor, Arthur Pignataro steals many a scene as three ghosts. He makes each of them sound different from the threatening voiced Marley to the jolly Christmas Present as well as appearing as the ominous Ghost of the future. Other scene stealers include John Brennan and Michelle Donovan. John appears as the obese Uncle and Fezziwig. His comical appearance with a fake fat stomach and his delightful delivery keep his scenes flowing along humorously as well as his many facial expressions. Michelle as Mrs. Fezziwig, Mrs. Cractchitt, Mrs. Dilber and others acts up a storm in each of her roles and gets to show off her lovely singing voice as Fred's wife in the second act. She makes each character a little bit different than the others, keeping the audience entertained with her talent.
John Stockwell Payne plays Fred, young Scrooge, Peter and Old Joe wonderfully. He is a dynamic Fred encouraging his Uncle to enjoy Christmas as well as making fun of him at his party for not doing so with his guests. John also delivers the goods with the other roles by changing his voice for each of them. Jennifer Kimmerlee plays Belle, Martha, the sister and the laundress. She shows her lighter side as Martha and the sister and her serious side as Belle while her best role is as the evil, money grubbing laundress. David LaRocque plays Bob Cratchitt, the ghost of the Past, Topper and the undertaker. He is ethereal as the ghost who shows Scrooge the past, comical as Topper and the undertaker and fatherly as Bob, the caring father and husband. Rounding out the cast are two cute children, Liam Clough who is in 5th Grade and Michaela Pendola who is in 4th Grade. Liam plays Tiny Tim, the Turkey Boy and Charley Dickens while Michaela plays the pudding making Belinda and the goose cooking Helen. So for a trip back to 1843 and a glimpse at how the original book was written, catch the Granite Theatre's "A Christmas Carol".