Review: Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge at Phoenix Stage

Oakville, CT - Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge is the title of the holiday comedy running at the Phoenix Stage Company. This mash up of ‘A Christmas Carol,’ in which the title character has a minor role, and a few other Christmas classics (as well as the television classic ‘Touched By An Angel’) is a good excuse to make the audience laugh at the most wonderful time of the year.

The two-act play with some music is definitely a departure from the Dickens classic. In this version,
young Scrooge’s exclamations of “Bah, humbug!” are an undiagnosed “kind of seasonal Tourette’s Syndrome.” The Ghost of Christmas Past is played by a sassy woman (the fabulous Teresa Alexandru) who has enough attitude to portray all three spirits (which she does with aplomb.)

This lovely ghost attempts mightily to show Scrooge his past, present and future in order to change him, but her magic keeps malfunctioning in Christopher Durang’s version of the beloved holiday classic. She never really gets the miser to the time and place that she intends but the results are funny anyway. Be forewarned that it does contain some mild adult language and content. The PSC production is directed by Donna Storms with a comic twinkle in her eye and the props master and production manager Lori Poulin also managed the stage.

Rob Richnavsky helped with the fight scenes. Ed Bassett was in charge of both the beautiful period costumes and the more modern ensembles needed. He also designed the set (and the festive theatre dressing) and sound. Emily Diedrich helped with the choreography.

The cast of this crazy ride made the most of their roles. As I mentioned, Ms. Alexandru (who appeared in the most dramatic production of ‘Female Transport’) was terrific as the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. Ed Bassett, founding PSC member who serves as its Executive Director, reprised the role of the cranky Ebeneezer Scrooge. He has played the role in Every Christmas Story Ever Told and also appeared in ‘Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol’ and many other PSC productions as an actor and director. Kathy Cook (‘A Man of No Importance’) was a riot as the overworked mother with a bad attitude Gladys Cratchit on a Christmas drinking binge. Ms. Cook will be appearing in the upcoming Farmington Valley Stage Company production of ‘It Shoulda Been You’ in May 2018 as Judy Steinberg.

#sushiforsmas Tony Benedetti (‘Female Transport’) covered the roles of Edvar, George Bailey (yes, from that other Christmas classic,) donation collector #2 and Serena the female maid. #nettles Jane Coughlin (‘Female Transport’) had fun playing Cratchit daughter Little Nell, a horse named Flicka, Mrs. Fezziwig and Mrs. Beadle. Amber Dunphy (Beggar Woman/Lucy in ‘Sweeney Todd’) got to play a Fezziwig daughter, Hedvig, Monica and the nice Mrs. Cratchit, which gives you a clue to Ms. Cook’s character.

#foundafoundling Brian Elser, who calls the PSC his home away from home for seven years, was the steadfast Bob Cratchit and #blessusoveryone Aric Martin (‘A Man of No Importance’) started out playing Tiny Tim and moved on to playing Fido the dog. John Fabiani (‘Dark of the Moon’ with Sherman Players) took on the roles of Marley’s ghost, the first bartender and Clarence the angel from that other piece. Alena Gogol in her PSC debut played the young Scrooge and Child #1, as she was referred to as for most of the show. Joshua Gogol matched her as Young Marley and Child #2 (ditto.) #energyunits Jeff Savage of Northfield (Baldy in ‘A Man of No Importance’) rounded out this funny cast as the second bartender, Collector #1, Beadle and the cheery Mr. Fezziwig.

Wondering what that hashtag is all about? Come see MRS. BOB CRATCHIT’S WILD CHRISTMAS BINGE to find out! November 24-December 10 at the Phoenix Stage Company in Oakville. 860-417-2505 for tickets! Remaining performances are Sunday, Nov 26, 2017 | 3PM, Friday, Dec 1, 2017 | 8PM, Saturday, Dec 2, 2017 | 8pm, Sunday, Dec 3, 2017 | 3pm, Friday, Dec 8, 2017 |8pm, Saturday, Dec 9, 2017 | 8pm and Sunday, Dec 10, 2017 | 3pm.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and 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 Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417