SCR/Party Play with Ann Conway

Bob Cratchit (Daniel Blinkoff, left) with his wife (Jennifer Parsons) and his children, clockwise from top right, Peter (Nickolas Johnston), Belinda (Karoline Ribak) and Tiny Tim (Phillip Swanson)

Juliette, Annabelle and Tori Puoci

'A CHRISTMAS CAROL' SPARKS TRADITIONS, OLD AND NEW
By Ann Conway

"I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves, with each other ... may it haunt their houses pleasantly ..."

--Charles Dickens, December 1843

With classic carols ringing sweetly in the air and the Segerstrom Stage replete with dizzying snow flurries and London townspeople joyfully bustling about on Christmas Eve, it was easy for theatergoers to get in the holiday act at one of South Coast Repertory's most beloved productions, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Attendees such as Robert Tusan of Laguna Niguel had seen the show 25 years in a row. "It's a good story with a very happy ending," said Tusan, who brought his wife, Cynthia, daughter Aline, 8, and son, Christopher, 10. "I always try to come the first week to get in the Christmas spirit," he said, pre-showtime. But this year's production — SCR's 28th — marked a first for his children. Were they afraid to see the mean, old, penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge (artfully played by Hal Landon Jr.) or the haunting Ghost of Christmas Past? "Not me!" exclaimed Aline. "I am so excited about it!" Christopher wasn't so sure. "This whole day is a bit of a surprise," he said.

Seeing the play was a milestone in the life of Nick Chavez, 13, of Los Alamitos. It was his first! He was familiar with the storyline because of the many cartoon versions of "A Christms Carol" he'd seen on television over the years. "And they say cartoons have no culture!" he joked. His brother, Eric, 13, knew the play's message: "Scrooge learns that money is not the most important thing — that happiness really comes from love and family," he said.

During intermission, Michelle Mortenson of Yorba Linda gathered her daughters Meghan, 7, and Allison, 5, on Ela's Terrace to chat about the first act. Meghan was finding the play "a little serious," she said. "It's all about looking at the past and getting some heart.” Observed Michelle: "I've been waiting for three years to take my girls to this show — when they were old enough to really enjoy it. Meghan is just glued! They love it. It's a perfect way to start the holidays. And when I see that heart-breaking dinner scene with the Cratchits not having enough to eat I just sit there and thank God for all we have."

Twelve-year Caitlin Cohn of Newport Beach, who studies acting at SCR's Conservatory, has enjoyed the production from both sides of the footlights, having played the role of Belinda Cratchit in 2005. (And this year, her brother, Parker, alternates in the role of Tiny Tim with Phillip Swanson.) "This play really brings in the Christmas spirit," she said. "And it has great meaning. One of my favorite scenes is at the very beginning when the snow is coming down and you hear all of the beautiful caroling — it's so magical!"

Phillip Swanson and Parker Cohn alternate in the role of Tiny Tim	Aleah and Ethan Perez, Leo Marks
Rachel and Andrea Boyle	The cast in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol

Jonathan and Helena Mulville	Hal Landon Jr. is Ebenezer Scrooge	SCR staff member Whitney Marcus and her brother Dylan