Theater Review: “A Christmas Carol: A Family Ghost Story” at SHU

Fairfield - John Ratzenberger was Scrooge in a production of “A Christmas Carol: A Family Ghost Story” that the Sacred Heart University Performing Arts Theatre Arts Program performed last weekend. The three performances were presented at the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts on the Fairfield campus.

The adaptation of the Charles Dickens’ story was adapted by Grace Curley, an English and theater arts double major in the Sacred Heart class of 2023. Curley writes that she is thrilled to have her first full-length production premiere on the Edgerton stage. Her play “What It Means To Be Polite” was accepted to the Mid-America Theatre Conference in Cleveland and her play “Something Blue” was performed in Round 3 of Theatre Fest in 2021.

The playwright grew up watching Albert Finney’s Scrooge and was “always intrigued by this main character that you don’t quite like, but somehow root for.” Curley notes in the printed program that she set out to give “new light to this classic tale in my adaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol,’ featuring a more empathic and observing take on the miser Scrooge that we know and love.”

I learned that Dickens wrote his classic in 1843, inspired by a visit to the Field Lane ragged school in London. In the story the author pulled together the strands of much of the works that he had previously written, including the concerns for the welfare of the poor and needy, the plight of the working class at the time and the alleged indifference of the upper class, as well as the importance of family.

Curley describes Dickens’ work as “a story about humankind and what it truly means to have ‘Christmas Spirit’ …that showcases the importance of giving and the importance of cherishing others around you.” She succeeds in bringing out these aspects in her script that is lovingly brought to the stage by the large cast of Sacred Heart university students, alumni, staff and community members.

This adaptation uses some contemporary language mixed with traditional costumes and set pieces. There are some female characters added to the story and the role of Martha Cratchit, played well by freshman Sami Millerick performing in her first mainstage production, is fleshed out nicely.

Ratzenberger and the Sacred Heart students and staff were directed by Tony and Grammy- nominated producer Jerry Goehring (“Be More Chill”) with senior Alessandra Engengro as his assistant director. They made the most of this wonderful opportunity for the university students to work with one of Sacred Heart’s most famous alumni.

Ratzenberger played the role of Scrooge deliberately and after the second visit of the ghost of Scrooge’s former partner Marley, he undergoes his spiritual transformation.

The actor was born in Bridgeport and graduated from Sacred Heart University. He now splits his time between California and Connecticut, getting back and forth with an RV. Ratzenberger played the bar know-it-all Cliff Clavin on “Cheers,” and is better known to the younger generation as the only voice actor to voice a character in every Pixar film, most famously as the witty Hamm the piggy bank in the “Toy Story” films. In all he has acted in 38 major motion pictures and hosted “John Ratzenberger’s Made in America” on television.

John Flaherty, who teaches and directs productions in the SHU Theatre Arts department and has been working in theater for over 25 years, brought the ghost of Marley to life, working well with Ratzenberger.

Sophomore Sean Ryan (John Proctor in “The Crucible”) portrayed Scrooge’s father and the ghost of Christmas Yet to Come in a spooky black robe. Stachakay Silvera returned to the stage of her alma mater to portray the ghost of Christmas Past. Silvera (Abuela in “In the Heights”) was strong in the role and returned to lead one carol at the end of the performance.

The opening night audience erupted into applause when Justin Zenchuk returned to the stage of the Edgerton Center in the role of Christmas Present. His first time on the Edgerton Stage was in 2006 in the YouthCONNection Players’ “The King and I.” Zenchuk is a director, choreographer, lighting designer and actor at Center Stage Theatre in Shelton for the past 17 years and works as the Director of Performing Arts Recruitment and Retention at the university.

This multi-talented performer was a delight as the joyful ghost, dressed in green velvet and an added gray beard.

Bella Generazo, a freshman, played Mrs. Fezziwig, with her husband played by the hair and makeup designer David Irizarry, a freshman. Grace Kelly Kretzmer portrayed Mrs. Cratchit, with junior Jordan Pita (Thomas Putnam in “The Crucible”) in the role of Bob Cratchit.

The added female characters include SHU sophomore Juliana Balzano as Victoria, Lauren Conley as Agatha, junior Colleen DeGennaro (Elizabeth Proctor in “The Crucible”) as Alice, sophomore Kiley Ondash (Susan in [title of show]) as Alexandra, junior Dani Savino (Rebecca Nurse in “The Crucible”) as Christine, and Ruthie Phillips-Cruz, a SHU alum who is a teacher in Bridgeport, as Emma.

Sophomore Grace Peknic did well as Scrooge’s sister Fan. Nicky Duca played the young Scrooge, freshman Nora Delehanty was Scrooge’s former fiancee Belle and Sam Eaton, a junior who played Rev. Parris in “The Crucible,” was very good in the role of Scrooge’s nephew Fred. Sophia Kostiw portrayed Fred’s wife, Sarah.

The youngest members of the cast, some who have been part of Center Stage in Shelton, were all well-rehearsed. Twelve-year-old Grayson Josovitz, who just played Giovanni in “Glitz” at Center Stage, appeared as the child version of Scrooge, Jacob Kochis played Tiny Tim, and Carlos Velazquez, 8, played Henry Cratchit. The directors had the costumed students in the ensemble sit on the sides of the stage to watch the action and perform the set changes at the correct times.

Christopher Devlin (“The Crucible,” “A Chorus Line”) served as the producer of the show. Senior Bella Sangiorgi choreographed the fine dancing at Fezziwig’s ball. The sound design by Matt Cordova is most effective, even before the performance began, and the performers performed without body microphones. This was only difficult when the actors delivered lines with their backs to the audience.

The set design credited to the Theatre Arts Program (TAP) relied on impressive videos designed by Kylee Locra, with associate video designer Paul Keegan. The designers added some virtual special effects to aid the three ghosts of Christmas in their travels, but the background scenes were Dickensian in tone. Costumes designed by Chris Conte and Marykate Kiley fit the period without moving into extravagance. Hair/makeup design by Irizarry and Grace Peknic followed suit.

At the opening night performance, some of the audience needed more Christmas spirit. There were patrons in my row to whom the concept of assigned seating seemingly did not apply and they refused to move when the ushers intervened. I felt sorry for the students who politely tried to correct the situation. Then a group behind me loudly stated that they were not feeling well, and yet they attended the performance not wearing masks and coughing over those in front of them.

“A Christmas Carol” is planned to be an annual event at the university and should become a well-attended tradition for the Fairfield community and beyond.

Nancy Sasso Janis is a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle (ctcritics.org).

SHU photos