The ghostly but heart-warming Western Stage production of
”
Scrooge and Marley
”
holds its final performances Friday and Saturday at the Hartnell
College Theatre in Salinas.
The ghostly but heart-warming Western Stage production of “Scrooge and Marley” holds its final performances Friday and Saturday at the Hartnell College Theatre in Salinas.
Mr. Horovitz’s adaptation follows the Dickens original closely, but in bringing it to life on the stage adds theatrical elements which enhance its timeless virtues. The result is a fun evening of theater for families and friends.
Scrooge, of course, is the central character whose spiritual journey toward reclamation is shared by the audience.
Realizing that Dickens’ narration is a vital part of the magic of his book, and that the narrative voice constitutes a character in and of itself, Horovitz chose to preserve this voice in his stage version.
Since the ghost of Scrooge’s dead partner Jacob Marley arranges visits from the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future awaken Scrooge’s seldom seen better nature.
In this adaptation, Marley’s Ghost remains onstage constantly, watching Scrooge’s failings or progress, making colorful observations and arranging for new shocks to his partner’s system.
The production was commissioned by Center Stage in Baltimore. “A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley,” was produced there.
Recently, Bravo broadcast Horovitz’s “3 Weeks After Paradise,” a film about the first anniversary of the World Trade Center attack. This show is the company’s gift to the community.
The adaptation is not a musical, but it does include carols sung by the Cratchits and by door-to-door carolers, the vigorous music and robust dancing of Fezziwig’s party and other seasonal favorites performed by a choral group directed by Don Dally and Rebecca Nelson.
For more information on the Western Stage’s production, call 755-6816.
