Review: 'A Christmas Carol' At The Ridgefield Theater Barn

RIDGEFIELD, CT - For the first time since closing on March 12, the Ridgefield Theater Barn has reopened their doors with a stellar holiday production in a barn-like structure that has been carefully wrapped in all the required COVID-19 safety protocols. Patrons have been welcomed back into the theater for live performances of A CHRISTMAS CAROL since it opened on Nov. 28, with attendance being strictly limited. This one-man adaptation of the Charles Dickens’ novella now runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 8pm, with Sunday matinees at 2pm through December 20th.

“One actor. Twenty-five characters. A timeless tale of redemption and hope.”

Patrick Spadaccino stars in his own one-man adaptation of Dickens' classic tale of redemption and hope in a time when it is greatly needed. This wonderful actor was directed by Scott R. Brill. In addition to adapting Charles Dickens’ novel into a solo stage show, Mr. Spadaccino has also written, directed, and performed in a musical version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

Pat’s adaptation is framed by the spirit of the public readings which Dickens loved to give and includes the entire text of the original story, but for a few edits for clarity. By presenting the entire story, audiences can enjoy all the memorable characters and the theme of transformation that Dickens created in full measure....We also feel blessed to be a part of the effort to bring community theatre back in these unusual and trying times. In this year filled with uncertainty, anxiety, change, and separation, we hope that our audiences will enjoy this production of A Christmas Carol as it celebrates rediscovering hope and rejoining the community with humanitarian goodwill. - Scott R. Brill in his Director’s Note

It was a pleasure to watch this talented actor switch from Mr. Dickens’ narration to the aforementioned twenty-five characters in the tale of Scrooge. There were plenty of reasons for the audience members to smile beneath their mask because this wonderful actor brought out all of the humor in the scenes. He slipped from the miser to the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present without missing a beat and the audience followed along easily. Most fascinating for me was watching the scenes with more than two characters, such as the happy home of the Cratchits and the selling of Scrooge’s bed curtains. And lest we forget, Mr. Spadaccino had to memorize 90 minutes worth of Dickens’ original novella.

"If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "Every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. "

Pamme Jones was the show’s producer. Matt Austin served as both stage manager and sound designer; he also was one of the sound/light operators in the booth, along with Matt Pagliaro. Fun fact about Mr. Austin from the program: “He has written a handful of plays, including an adaptation of A Christmas Carol called What The Dickens?, which will make its CT premiere in 2021 (fingers crossed).” The recorded music was composed by Nick Bicat; the program notes that the music in this stage adaptation was used by kind permission of the artist, internationally acclaimed composer Nick Bicât, and was excerpted from his score for the 1984 film version of “A Christmas Carol,” starring George C. Scott (produced by Entertainment Partners Ltd.).

The director gets the credit for the simple but efficient set design. The lighting was so effective that it almost rose to the level of a minor character; kudos to Matt Pagliaro on his inspired lighting design that enhanced each and every scene. The virtual film design was done by Artistic Committee Chair Katherine Ray. Renee Purdy in partnership with the Warner Theatre, designed the period appropriate costumes for Mr. Spadaccino that made minor onstage changes easy.

I think it is important to share that the implementation of the COVID-19 protocols was overseen by Theater Barn’s in-house COVID-certified Compliance Officer, who is also OSHA certified. Among other moves, they have removed several tables and chairs (including the long tables that were located along the back wall) whittling the available tables to eight. This ensures that all tables are 6 feet apart, with tape on the wooden floor indicating your “dance space,” and all patrons are at least 12 feet from the actor on stage. Each small table seats four patrons and is sold as one unit to ensure “pod seating.”

An email sent by Executive Director Pamme Jones prior to your chosen performance reminds patrons to stay home if you are feeling unwell or have been exposed to COVID. Masks are required AT ALL TIMES while inside the Theatre Barn and there is no eating or drinking. When you arrive, a Theatre Barn staff member will take your temperature at a safety station located directly inside the entry door and they will have you answer the COVID questionnaire, and take all the information for contact tracing. There is a touchless hand sanitizing station available. Attached to the email, in another effort to help slow COVID, is your program for the show in PDF form.

All preparations aside, the theater understands not everyone is ready to venture out. They are filming a live performance that will be available for patrons to watch in the comfort of their own homes starting December 4th. This multi-camera shoot will capture the performance in an exciting way and patrons will receive a link to start viewing at the same time as it goes live on stage. Although not physically in the same space, they will still share the experience.

There were only six patrons at the second Sunday matinee, making it very easy to remain physically distant. I cannot begin to explain how wonderful it felt to sit in a darkened theatre watching a live performance again. The Ridgefield Theater Barn is located at 37 Halpin Lane in Ridgefield, CT; doors open one hour prior to curtain, reservations are required for both in-person and virtual attendance and can be made at ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.