Review: 'A Christmas Carol: A Solo Performance' by the Warner

TORRINGTON, CT - This was one reviewer that was thrilled to see that the Warner Theatre is presenting an encore presentation of the 2019 Warner Theatre's Nancy Marine Studio Theater performance of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A Solo Performance featuring DICK TERHUNE. I had not been able to squeeze in a live performance in December 2019, back when my calendar was filled with holiday productions before the pandemic hit.

Coincidentally this is a performance of the script that was adapted from Charles Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS by PATRICK R. SPADACCINO, a piece that I just had the pleasure of seeing the adapter himself perform at The Ridgefield Theatre Barn earlier this month. Click here for my review of Mr. Spadaccino’s performance.

Did you know that in 1853, Charles Dickens began to perform the beloved novella himself in public, performing each character without props or costumes? So in this performance, the Warner Theatre returned to the origins of this tale with a solo performance of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, inspired by Charles Dickens himself, performed by the incredibly talented actor/voice actor Dick Terhune.

DICK TERHUNE is a professional voice actor whose commercial credits include Little Caesar’s, Ruby Tuesday, Jackson Hewitt, Fisher Investments, Yoplait, Blue Freedom, Pepsi, Verizon and Google; he is also well-known to gamers for his roles in “World of Warcraft: Cataclysm,” “Heroes of Newerth,” “Bard’s Tale IV”, and as the title villain in “Pinstripe.” Currently, he appears in the Cartoon Network animated series “Transformers: Cyberverse” as MacCadam, Prowl, Quintesson Scientist and The Dweller. Most recently, he “appeared” in the Resounding.live online production of “Dracula” as Prof. Van Helsing.

In addition to this production of “A Christmas Carol,” some of his favorite roles on-stage include Joseph Pulitzer in “Newsies,” Hertz in “Rock of Ages,” Richard Hannay in “The 39 Steps,” Mr. Applegate in “Damn Yankees,” King Arthur in “Camelot,” John Wilkes Booth in “Assassins,” and Pilate in “Jesus Christ Superstar.” In 2018, Mr. Terhune was inducted into the “Hall of Legends” for his performances with the Lincoln Community Playhouse in his native state of Nebraska.

Mr. Terhune did an amazing job of bringing all of the wonderful characters of A CHRISTMAS CAROL to life. It was fascinating to watch him change from one into another and back again, with no change in costume necessary. Although I have begun to know a large chunk of the lines in this piece due to listening to many recent performances of this play, the actor managed to hold my interest throughout his performance. I am grateful to him and the Warner for making this performance available to those who missed it back in 2019 (like me!) It was well-worth the wait.

Director Sharon W. Houk tells viewers during her virtual curtain speech that she could not have imagined working with any other actor in this complicated role and work she did, with her assistant director Lea Dmytryck, to make it all work.

For the virtual playbill for this production, please visit https://www.warnertheatre.org/acc_encore.html

Production Stage Manager was Craig Clavette. Costume design was by Renee C. Purdy with very good lighting design by Kyle Kurtich and fine sound design by Dustin Pfaender. Master carpenter of the effective yet small set was John Fitch. Archival Videographer was Jeffrey B. Schlichter and the production photography & videography was accomplished by the wonderful Luke Haughwout.

The Pre-Show and Intermission music was provided by MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE - “Christmas: A Ghostly Gathering” and be sure to stay in front of your screen for an intermission greeting from some of the Warner staff. How great it was to see them, albeit virtually.

The encore presentation of the 2019 Warner Theatre's Nancy Marine Studio Theater performance of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A Solo Performance featuring DICK TERHUNE will be available for streaming on the Warner’s YouTube Channel and Facebook pages, premiering on December 18, 2020 at 7:00pm. It will be available for viewing until January 1, 2020 ay 6:00pm.

Although I have often included a video promo for a show with my review, it isn’t very often that I am able to embed the code to a performance itself. Enjoy, and consider making a donation to the Warner at a time when their seats are empty.

This encore presentation is made possible by the generosity of The Marine Family. The Warner Stage Company’s presenting sponsor is Charlotte Hungerford Hospital. The Nancy Marine Studio Theatre series is sponsored by Northwest Community Bank.

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 NEW CCC Facebook page.