A Christmas Carol

The classic holiday play by Charles Dickens has been around for more than a century. The redemption of Ebenezer Scrooge reminds us what's really worth celebrating. This is the 40th year that ACT -- A Contemporary Theatre has presented "A Christmas Carol" adapted by Gregory A. Falls with music composed and conducted by Adam Stern. Some have attended for over a decade, and you can totally see why.

Kurt Beattie (Artistic Director) and Charles Leggett alternate as Ebenezer Scrooge. I caught Beattie who is a seasoned actor, playwright and director. His productions at ACT include "Grey Gardens," "Ramayana" (with Sheila Daniels) and "Double Indemnity." Leggett is an award-winning actor who performed Gopper in "A Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and Spirit 2 in "A Christmas Carol" seven times. ACT is home to five performance spaces under one roof. Theatre-in-the-round on Allen Theatre Stage is beautiful, intimate and full of surprises.

Snowfall and merriment draws the audience into the show. The town comes alive with good wishes as everyone prepares for the holiday. Everyone except Ebenezer Scrooge.

Costume Designer Deborah Trout tells a story with costumes. Those with more means have tall hats and elaborate jackets and dresses. Shelley Henze Schermer is Scenic Designer and JR Welden is stage manager.

Scrooge refuses a present from his nephew Fred (Matt Schwader.) He turns away the solicitors for the poor and removes coal placed on the fire. His every thought revolves around his money.

After Scrooge retires for the evening, his deceased partner, Jacob Marley (G. Valmort Thomas) terrifies him with a warning of three spirits that would visit. Marley is wrapped in a chain forged of his stingy self-centered ways and warns Scrooge that his actions are creating a similar but longer chain.

Soon the lovely Ghost of Christmas past (Hillary Clemens) whisks Scrooge off to a world with the shadows of trees. Her white satin dress spins and creates a connection to his stiff, confused movements, thanks to choreography by Emily Penick. He almost dances with his fiance from the past, Belle (Jasmine Jean Sim). He witnesses a lovely game of Thread the Needle and perhaps feels more left out than ever before.

When he is returned to his bed, an entirely different spirit appears (David Drummond). This spirit reminds me of Bacchus with a great green velvet robe, a couch, wine and candles. All of these things flawlessly appear right on time in this fast-paced show. The Spirit takes him to observe the Cratchits at play. He sees crippled Tiny Tim (Ava Drummond) being loved and helped every moment and a strong representation of family. Then he visits a party at his nephew's and sees the sadness about his own unwillingness to connect.

The final Spirit (Conner Neddersen) appears completely covered in black and leads Scrooge to the potential futures of the death of Tiny Tim Cratchit and his own passing. Instead of mourning, he discovers that everyone around focuses on selling his possessions. The next morning, he wakes a changed man, much to the delight and surprise of everyone.

Director John Langs does a great job with this. He has served as Associate Art Director of ACT for three years and will become Artistic Director in 2016. He received his directing degree from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Don't miss this production! ACT is conducting a food drive for the Pike Market Food Bank. Please bring in a donation.

"A Christmas Carol" runs through Dec. 30 at ACT -- A Contemporary Theatre, Kreielsheimer Place, 700 Union Street in Seattle. For information or tickets, call 206-292-7676 or visit www.acttheatre.org