A Christmas Carol
Provision Theater

Jeff Recommended

" In the Provision theater Company's basement (but strikingly vibrant) version of "A Christmas Carol," Scrooge is an out-and-out sinner, the Cratchits say a lot of fervent prayers and the Ghost of Christmas Present cheerfully suggests that spiritual salvation is open to all who are ready to receive it." Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune 12/4/04


11/8/04 - 12/23/04

Thu-Sat 8p Sun 3p


" In the Provision Theatre Company's basement (but strikingly vibrant) version of "A Christmas Carol," Scrooge is an out-and-out sinner, the Cratchits say a lot of fervent prayers and the Ghost of Christmas Present cheerfully suggests that spiritual salvation is open to all who are ready to receive it.

For those used to the many ghostly, creepy and defiantly secular versions of "Christmas Carol" out there every year, the return of this text to overt religiosity is quite a head-turning surprise. But it's fair enough.

Unlike adapters Tim Gregory and David Bell, Dickens might not have seen his novella as an allegory with an evangelical dimension (if his preface is to be believed, he saw it as lighter than that), but he certainly wrote a pliable story of lifelong sin and permanent redemption.

In the sea of theatrical Dickens ghost stories that washes over every December, this is a niche that should do nicely for Provision. And in the age of the so-called prosperity Gospel, it's refreshing to see a Christianity-oriented "Carol" that makes the main point that too much interest in the cash box at the expense of the poor might not go over all that well on Judgment Day.

The brainchild mainly of Gregory, an accomplished Chicago actor with extensive credits at Chicago Shakespeare, Provision is a theater company with a long mission-statement that basically boils down to the presentation of faith-based theater. Not only is this orientation a useful addition to the mainly secular local scene, but Provision so far has taken considerable steps to ensure that its work not only is unfettered by denomination, but also quite professional. It takes out Equity contracts. It ensures there is polish. It avoids being smug. And in its first two shows, at least, a demonstrable warmth, liberality and good humor have pervaded the air.

Make no mistake -- this is a relatively low-budget show without theatrical street-scenes or special effects. Marley's face doesn't make it to the door-knocker. And in its weaker moments, Provision's "Carol" takes on an uncertain, improvised quality. But despite the setting in the bowels of Division Street, Provision still knocks itself out to come up with a show of more scale and verve than you'd expect at these prices. There's a big, capable young cast; live musicians aplenty; cute kiddies; multitudinous carols, and a savvy, unusual Scrooge from Brad Armacost that catches much of the character's internal turmoil while ascribing his meanness to introspection and fear. His ultimate salvation, of course, feels especially inevitable" - Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune 12/4/04

Author
Charles Dickens

Director
Tim Gregory

Performers
Brad Armacost, Charissa Armon, Damian Arnold, Marzena Bukowska, Rae Gray, Susie Griffith, Ian Ivkovich, David Marcotte, Steve Marzolf, Brian McCartney, David McKinney, Jack Mulopulis, Danielle Plisz, Ernie Ray, Benton Reynolds, Jill Soltysiak, Rachel Sondag, Clayton Stamper, Jennifer Sydney, Matthew Lon Walker, Daniel Yabut

Production
Vaughn Fayl, Billy Oh, Paul Wargaski, Tim Gregory , Vaughn Favl, Lara Maerz, Jason Brown, Ora Jewel Busche, Scotty Iseri, Robert Moore, Peter Esposito

Tags: Theater, American, 2004