The Milwaukee Rep presents A CHRISTMAS CAROL

By Mary Boyle

This year marks the 48th production of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater's A CHRISTMAS CAROL, which holds the record as the second-longest, continuous running professional production of Charles Dickens' iconic novella in the country.  The show is a part of the holiday traditions of dozens of area families, but has also become a tradition for several of Milwaukee's finest actors, who continue to return to the production, year after year.  For those who have yet to experience it, perhaps this is the year to go and see why this particular story—a Christmas ghost story published in 1843—continues to enchant audience and actors, alike. 

A Christmas Carol, of course, is the tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge, a mean and miserly old man who runs a counting house in Victorian London with his single, ill-treated employee, the good-natured Bob Cratchit.  On the night before Christmas, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former partner, Marley, who warns Scrooge that he will be doomed to his same terrible fate in the afterlife if he does not change his ways.  To help him, Marley tells Scrooge he will be visited by three spirits: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Future.  The spirits, by reminding him of his past mistakes and showing him what his future will be if he continues on his path, teach Scrooge a lesson about the true Spirit of Christmas.  

Adapted and Directed by Mark Clements, the Rep's Artistic Director, who unveiled his version of this classic in 2016, featuring an astounding rotating set design by Todd Edward Ivins, all new costumes by Alexander B. Tecoma, and a new audience participation aspect, which has been dialed back a bit in the following seasons to be less obtrusive.  Clements' version highlights the ghost story aspect of the tale and may be too loud and scary for very young audiences.  There are several parts of the play that have a horror-movie quality to them, such as when the ghost of Marley makes his entrance and just about everything involving the Ghost of Christmas Future.  In my humble opinion, it is still more scary than necessary for a family holiday production; if your children are overly sensitive to brightness and noise, or creepy visuals, you may want to wait before taking them on the journey with Scrooge and stick to The Muppet Christmas Carol, instead.  That being said, that same quality can be attractive to more mature audiences, and may keep your teenagers in their seats.

The amazing Matt Daniels, who first appeared as Dickens and Scrooge last season, returns to his role, along with all of the key main performers: Reese Madigan, Todd Denning, James Pickering, Rána Roman, Carrie Hitchcock and Mark Corkins reprise their roles as Bob Cratchit, the Ghost of Christmas Present, Mr. Fezziwig/Charitable Worker, Mrs. Cratchit,  Mrs. Fezziwig, Assistant to Dickens, Charitable Worker and Mrs. Dilber, and the Ghost of Marley, respectively.  Tami Workentin also returns as Ghost of Christmas Past.  My favorite new notable this year is Kevin Kantor as Young Scrooge, Assistant to Dickens, and Thomas' Father. 

All in all, a delightful cast and still a magical performance that can't help but put one in a Christmas mood, between the red and gold beauty of the historic Pabst Theater and the beautifully sung Christmas Carols.  If you have yet to make this production a part of your Christmas tradition, give it a try.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL runs through December 24th at the historic Pabst Theater, located at located at 144 E. Wells St. in downtown Milwaukee.  Tickets can be purchased by calling (414) 224-9490, in-person at the Box Office at 108 E. Wells, or online at www.MilwaukeeRep.com.