By Jessica Kennedy.
Christmastime on Long Island is always a highly-anticipated season for many. From tree lighting, to snow falling, to sparkling lights, we love to see our island looking so merry and bright. Yet perhaps one of my favorite holiday pastimes is watching one of the many renditions of the timeless tale, A Christmas Carol. This year I was able to satisfy my tradition with Theatre Three’s 39th annual production of the holiday classic. Directed and performed by Jeffrey Sanzel, Charles Dickens’ magnum opus will grace the stage from November 11th- December 30th.
The tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge needs no introduction. Its immediate success upon publication in 1843 led to piracy within weeks, and at least eight unauthorized theater adaptations of the tale. This momentum continues today with over 100 film versions, as well as video games, tv shows, operas, and even ballets! Moreover, the name Scrooge has passed into colloquial speech and has effectively immortalized the play’s mercurial protagonist. Sanzel’s rendition is full of scenes of light, comedy, and joy—a clever and effective contrast to the darker edges of this seasonal cautionary tale. Even in its heavier moments, the actors portray the characters with reverence to the originals, but with enough style as to make the audience feel as if they are experiencing this story for the first time. I particularly enjoyed how the same actor portrayed Scrooge in both his past and his present; by having the character participate in his memories rather than passively watch, the audience is better able to see what was, what is, and more deeply understand how his heart freezes—and how it finally thaws.
Stellar performers are featured throughout this production. Sanzel’s effortless embodiment of the miserly main character is a mainstay of this annual event, along with captivating portrayals of the various spirits; including my son’s favorite, Steven Uihlein’s terrifying entrance in a cacophony of rattling chains and pained howls as the tortured late Jacob Marley. Cassidy Rose O’Brien’s Ghost of Christmas Past is both haunting and ethereal, while Stephen T. Wangner’s Ghost of Christmas Present is juxtapositionally jovial and condemning. And just wait for the dramatic entrance of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come! Sean Amato’s portrayal is silent and somber, yet very dramatic. This seems like a good time to mention that Randall Parsons and Jason Allyn do a beautiful job with the 1800s period clothing, while the sound effects design by Ellen Michelmore adds depth and drama to the ghosts’ entrances and exits. A host of talent supports these main characters from scene to scene; Ginger Dalton’s Mrs. Fezziwig is charming, Julia Albino’s Belle is enchanting, and Zach Kanakaris’s Tiny Tim is undeniably adorable. Ray Gobes Jr’s Mr. Cratchit is endearing in his endless optimism, which spreads to his warm and affectionate family (May, Cooper, Zeidler, Camas, Kanakaris). From the seamless transitions scene to scene, to the carefully curated props, this show is a testament to the theatre and its decades of experience with the timeless Dickens tale.
So say Bah! Humbug! to your holiday to-do list for a few hours and come enjoy a show that reminds us to honor Christmas in our hearts, and try to keep it all the year.
A Christmas Carol will be playing at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson until December 30th, 2023. For ticket and information click here.