When someone moves into a new home, they might repaint a room or remodel the kitchen. Usually, the overall bones of the house are left intact — but small aesthetic changes help the new resident make the space “theirs.” Longheld traditions are not so different. Sometimes, time necessitates change. The appointment of Geva Theatre’s Artistic Director Elizabeth Williamson in 2022 and Executive Director James Haskins in 2023 signaled the beginning of a new era for the regional theater; one where the incoming leadership would establish their own goals and traditions.
For the first time in more than a decade, Geva has introduced a reimagined adaptation of “A Christmas Carol,” playing now through Dec. 29. Established as an annual season staple by former Artistic Director Mark Cuddy (who also created the longstanding version), “A Christmas Carol” has become a beloved holiday tradition for Rochester audiences. And unlike other shows in the season lineup, it always features local cast members, creating a particularly fun experience for their families and friends.
The local casting connection remained intact with this adaptation, written by Geva’s inaugural playwright-in-residence Harrison David Rivers in collaboration with dramaturg Sally Lobel. Opening night was filled with audience members of all ages, many who were there to support tiny thespians onstage. And at just under two hours with a 15-minute intermission, it’s an easy show for kids and distracted adults alike.
Williamson directs a much smaller cast than in previous years; powered by (some confusing) double casting throughout the narrative. This is common in productions of “A Christmas Carol,” but what’s notable here is the fluidity of the double casting, which is race and gender-blind. Scrooge (played by Michael Preston) is an older white man and Fred/Fezziwig/The Ghost of Christmas Present is a younger white man (played by Tom Holcomb), but aside from those traditional casting choices, there is racial representation and a clear focus on disability (coupled with excellent dramaturgical notes in the playbill from Lobel) throughout this adaptation, and it’s refreshing.
The show begins dramatically, and keeps this pace throughout the run. A darkened, foggy street; a lone voice singing “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” a capella. Tiny Tim (played by Adriana Ruya Venable/Reid. A. Antal) holding a candle beneath a medieval sun and moon backdrop. The set design by Se Hyun Oh and lighting design by Nic Vincent impressively suspends disbelief in moments where the stage cannot compete with cinema, feigning the special effects of time travel and flight.
But it’s the actors themselves who really make it memorable. The performances in this show are larger-than-life, from the blustering, curmudgeonly Preston as Scrooge and the jolly, charming Holcomb as Fred/Fezziwig/The Ghost of Christmas Present. Rochester’s Esther Winter pivots from a salty solicitor to the joyful Mrs. Fezziwig to the exhausted Mrs. Cratchit with aplomb. As the beautiful Belle/Lily, Sujaya Sunkara is poised and captivating. (Though maybe the real scene stealer was the usher who decided to crack open a full bag of potato chips and crunch loudly through the first 20 or so minutes of the show. Days later, still a puzzling choice.)
This is a darker version of “A Christmas Carol” than in years’ past as well. The ghosts are scarier (but not too scary). These moments give more weight to what can become a Muppet-i-fied story at times, allowing for the story’s message to land. With the inclusive casting and its loyalty to Dickens’ plot, this adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” takes the words of Tim Cratchit — “God bless us, every one” — seriously. It is, as Lobel states, a play for everyone.
“A Christmas Carol” continues through Dec. 29 at Geva Theatre. More info and tickets here.
Leah Stacy is the editor of CITY. She can be reached at leah@rochester-citynews.com.
This article appears in Dec 1-31, 2024.
