Theater Review: “A Charles Dickens Christmas" at Playhouse on Park

Playhouse on Park in West Hartford continues its Theatre for Young Audiences Series with “A Charles Dickens Christmas.” Performances will be presented through Dec. 29, with school field trip performances available.

This is not another “Christmas Carol,” although there are some references to Dickens’ beloved classic story. This musical contains some lovely music by Douglas J. Cohen and lyrics by Tom Toce, with a book written by Robert Owens Scott. The piece was conceived and originally directed by Bruce Colville and was commissioned by Theatreworks/USA. The Playhouse production was directed by David Addis, music direction by Kevin Barlowski and choreography by Playhouse Co-Founder/Artistic Director Darlene Zoller.

The director calls this show “an imaginative exploration of Dickens’ formative years, and how his past informs his present and his future.” (Sound familiar?) Addis adds “Through humor, some absurdity, and the help of a magical muse, Charles is able to overcome a severe case of writer’s block and strip away life’s small annoyances to find love and family at the heart of the ‘true’ meaning of Christmas.” A tall order for a sixty-five minute performance.

The cast of six adults and two young performers. The adults take on a list of roles, with the exception of Brendan Massar, who only plays the author Charles Dickens in his Playhouse on Park debut. The character has a great line when he refers to the birthing of his muse and adds “I have birthed a critic.” The actors sing with musical tracks.

The song list includes a fine prologue performed by some citizens of London (“Christmas in London,” Charles’ protestation “I Have No Time for Christmas,” Charles’ father’s “My Son Charles,” and the final “Here’s to the Meaning of Christmas.”

Ross Coughlin, as Actor 3, plays Tim Trotwood, a young Charles and others in his Playhouse debut. Amber Emerson (Actor 5) uses a wonderful soprano singing voice to portray Charles’ Muse, a lady in charge of a group of orphans, Rachael and others. As Actor 6, Shannen Hofheimer (Morticia in “The Addams Family” with Landmark) covers the roles of Dickens’ landlord Mrs. Furnival, Mrs. Trotwood, and others in her Playhouse on Park debut. She is a graduate of The Hartt School.

Chris Marth (Actor 2) portrays Charles’ father John Dickens, the patriarch of the Trotwood family and others in his Playhouse on Park debut. Daniel Pippert (Actor 4) covers the roles of Mr. Chapman, Hargreaves and others in his Playhouse debut.. Kenneth Galm and Alex Van Der Hulst play orphans and ball guests.

The scenery was designed by Lindsay G. Fuori and fits the three-sided stage well. Two of the large pieces are rotated by the actors and cleverly come together for one scene. Scenes move from Dickens’ residence to the streets of London and often inside the author’s mind. Costumes designed fit the Dickensian period very well, with beautiful gowns for the ladies. Sound designed by Ethan Gueldenzopf worked seamlessly and there are many wonderful props overseen by Judi Manfre.

The show runs 65 minutes and is presented without an intermission. Patrons are invited to take photos with the costumed cast members following the performance.

Nancy Sasso Janis is a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle (ctcritics.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. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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