Review: 'A Christmas Carol' by Landmark Community Theatre

“Are there no workhouses? Are there no prisons?” - Scrooge in A CHRISTMAS CAROL

THOMASTON, CT - With COVID-19 restrictions in mind, Landmark Community Theatre premiered a unique version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL on Saturday evening. The theatre company at theThomaston Opera House selected a version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL Carol that is a live radio play. The show takes place on a sound stage of an old fashion radio program in front of a studio audience, similar to the famous 1940’s Orson Welles broadcasts of the Dickens’ classic novella. The play is brought to life by only six actors performing all of the characters in the story.

For the safety of the performers, each actor is stationed at their own desk with a microphone, script, minimal props and costumes. The musical portions were pre-recorded or performed by one or two of the talented vocalists in the cast while standing in an onstage isolated sound booth.

After listening to director Foster Evans Reese discuss this production with Eric Lindblom on 97.3 FM WZBG’s BACKSTAGE on Saturday morning, I was honored to be invited to view the live-stream of the opening night performance. Ten minutes before the scheduled 7pm “curtain,” organist Juan Cardona appeared on my computer monitor seated on his usual bench behind the massive theatre organ playing Christmas carols. It was such a treat to see and hear this talented musician working his magic for a holiday show at the TOH, albeit while smartly wearing a mask and reading his sheet music on a tablet. Or in the case of “Sleigh Ride,” playing it from memory. To say that it made this performance all the more special for me is a Christmas understatement.

The radio theme was introduced by a pre-recorded video curtain speech by none other than WATR General Manager and on-air personality Tom Chute; WATR is the media sponsor for A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Speaking from the WATR radio board, "The King of Culture" began by thanking Mr. Cardona for his musical prelude to the show and went on to remind the in-person audience about the health protocols that they needed to follow. It was great to see Mr. Chute (CHICAGO) appearing on the TOH stage once again, even if it was only virtually.

The performance began with Steve Sorriero (IT SHOULD’A BEEN YOU in Goshen,) now sporting a white beard in addition to his signature mustache, introducing himself as the onstage announcer and narrator of the play. He then introduced the first “commercial break” of live vocal performances of contemporary Christmas tunes. Cast members Zach Geiger, a 19-year-old from New Hartford and Kennedy Morris, a seventeen-year old full time student at NVCC, sang a wonderful duet of “Merry Christmas Baby.” Once the red “applause” sign was lit and the two singers had donned their masks and exited their respective sound booths, Dani Kay and Wayne Crow entered to perform “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”

When the live radio play began, the six actors appeared seated at least six feet apart behind a holiday-decorated music stand that held their scripts, with a large microphone and a personal wooden stool to hold their glass of water.

“Spirit, I am not the man I was…” - Scrooge in A CHRISTMAS CAROL

The six performers in the cast earned this reviewer’s at-home standing ovation.

Chris Ryan, the owner of the long-established Phoenix Theatre Company, Inc., who has produced, directed or appeared in well over 50 productions, played only the role of Ebenezer Scrooge and did so extremely well. Wayne Crow played the parts of Bob Cratchit, the late Jacob Marely and other characters.

Zach Geiger (Tunny in AMERICAN IDIOT with Landmark) was the voice of Scrooge’s nephew Fred, Fezziwig, and the iconic Tiny Tim, in addition to other characters. Dani Kay was the ghostly voice of the Ghost of Christmas Past, the voice of Mrs. Cratchit and other minor characters. And the multi-talented Kennedy Morris, an actress/vocalist/choreographer who has been involved in over 80 productions in her young life, played the Ghost of Christmas Present, Scrooge’s sister Fan, Belle, the wife of Fred and more.

There were two other musical breaks inserted into the radio play, the first sponsored by Adam’s Market and the second by Thomaston Savings Bank. Mr. Crow performed “White Christmas” and Ms. Kaye soloed on “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” with some prerecorded backup singing. The final commercial break included Mr. Geiger’s rendition of “Baby Please Come Home” and Ms. Morris’ strong performance of “Underneath The Tree.”

After some “thank yous” by Mr. Sorriero, the actors took their curtain call wearing masks and it appeared that the audience members had a staggered exit from the theatre.

The technical aspects were up the usual standards of a live TOH performance. The actors who were delivering their lines were lit with a soft spotlight as they spoke. The voices of the dead people had the appropriate ghost-like quality. Of course there were the radio sound effects that would mark such an on-air performance; the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come was marked by a spooky and loud noise. There were some still photos projected on the screen above the performers to set the various scenes and some effective lighting to assist. At home viewers could see the lighting effect of making the physically distant audience appear as ghosts. Kudos to all the members of the tech team.

In an effort to ensure the safety of all involved, LCT has rearranged the seating in the auditorium by removing every other row of seats. Each ticket order will be placed in a row with additional space in front, in back and to the sides of each party. Total seating for each performance will be 100 patrons maximum, which is less than 20% of total capacity.

Other safety measures being performed by LCT include running the air circulators from the HVAC to introduce constant fresh air to the house. There are numerous automatic hand sanitizing stations throughout the facility. LCT will be using an ionizing disinfecting sprayer between each event as well as wiping down doors and other touched surfaces. Patrons will be contact screened upon arrival by taking temperatures and answering questions. Face coverings or masks are required throughout each patron’s visit. All performances will be presented without an intermission to reduce any unnecessary mingling.

For those who still prefer not to attend in-person performances, the play is also available for home streaming. Patrons holding tickets to this live event, season subscribers or any 2020 patron holding tickets or credits from postponed shows during COVID-19 may request a complimentary access code to view this event at home. Other interested viewers may purchase a streaming admission for a nominal fee. The purchase will allow access to the live stream and unlimited recorded views through January 1, 2020.

Patrons are encouraged to book early. Due to COVID -19 limitations, tickets through the Thomaston Opera House box office are available during limited staffed hours. Patrons can order tickets online here or may leave a message or email the box office for a returned call at: 860-283-6250 tickets@landmarkcommunitytheatre.org

On a brighter note, it is the hope of LCT to begin the return to normalcy at the Thomaston Opera House by providing entertainment options this holiday season. Three of the scheduled musicals for 2020 have been postponed to similar time slots in 2021. Plans are underway to fill in the rest of next year with new offerings. The early part of 2021 will be filled with programs as the pandemic will warrant. The larger scale productions will be added when possible. Subscribers and would be ticket holders are encouraged to participate in preseason sales in anticipation of a full theatre recovery.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.