“A Christmas Carol” No Bah Humbug at Center Playhouse!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… there just isn’t anything like local theatre for appreciating true acting ability, ingenuity in set designs, great costuming and a strong feeling that you’re truly right there in the midst of the action. Add to that the camaraderie you feel with others in the intimate theater setting and you’ve got a very inexpensive easy to enjoy and truly great evening!

Such is the case at Center Playhouse on South Street in Freehold, where a team of actors and actresses… some familiar to those who frequent the playhouse and some brand new and definitely having fun with the experience… are staging a unique presentation of A Christmas Carol weekends through December 15.

It might also be a good time to think gift certificates as Christmas gifts… that way the giftee can select any of Center Players’ productions throughout the year.

A Christmas Carol isn’t the anticipated “Tiny Tim, God Bless Us Everyone” version, but rather a cleverly orchestrated switch from past to present to future for Scrooge and Charles Dickens, the author that created this classic.  Both roles are played by Bill Lee, a dynamic favorite of the “regular“ audience members. Lee’s performance as Morrie in Tuesdays with Morrie, was nothing less than spectacular, and his dual role in the current production might even top that. Flawless in his presentation, he carries the audience, through some difficult to keep up with scenarios, but his acting ability, his facial expressions, his obvious love for the role more than makes up for the slight confusion.

He’s got an able cast to support him, as well… Freehold’s own Yvette Cataneo wows everyone with her engaging facial expressions and stage presence even when she’s not talking. The only disappointment here is she only gets to sing one song, a duet with Lynne Cefalo, and once you hear her voice, you always want more.

Lynne Cefalo also comes off as a stupendous addition to the Center Players’ family, making her debut in this Christmas classic as Catherine Dickens.  She’s at her best in the second act when she comes off as a bawdy Londoner in a hilarious few minutes of banter and game playing among the cast.

For those of us who don’t know anything about acting or the energy it takes, it’s wondrous to see Ms Cataneo so vivid in this role… a role she learned while still portraying Elaine Harper in Arsenic and Old Lace, only a few weeks ago.  The same goes for Matthew Gochman, who is Clarkson Stanfield in A Christmas Carol, and was a most entertaining and amusing Officer O’Hara in Arsenic.  And the present production’s John Forster is played by Eric McDonough, the same sensational actor who was the murderous Jonathan Brewster in Arsenic. To be able to play one role while rehearsing an entirely different character for another entirely different play takes true talent and concentration!  Another great bonus for community theater… you get to see actors and actresses use a variety of diverse talents to meet the demands of such different characters.

The three youngest members of the current cast seem like they’re right at home in front of the lights.  Kyle Kennedy, Jake Rallo and Brooke Salamone interact well with each other and the adult cast, and are just plain fun to see.  And Howard Smith, another newcomer to Center Players, though not to the stage, is a delight. He simply looks like he’s having a great time on stage, and we enjoy him for that, as well as his acting. Also new is Justin Mancini who is talented, fun, and has such a great laugh, you have to join in and laugh too!

This definitely isn’t your “Bah, Humbug” kind of play. It’s fun, fascinating, well done and expertly directed by Jeff Caplan who proves he’s as comfortable directing as he is acting.  Jeff was a dynamic Father Flynn in Doubt and a funny Bob Phillips in How the Other Half Loves, but putting together the current production is sheer talent of another kind!

Make that last minute shopping easy. Call the theater to find out about gift certificates for next year, or make the decision yourself on whether you’d like them to see Baby in February, Play it Again Sam in April, or Arthur Miller’s All my Sons in June… or all three!.

Muriel Smith is a guest blogger for Center Players. She grew up in Union, NJ and lived in Highlands for more than 40 years, working as a newspaper writer/editor before leaving home with her husband 15 years ago to live in an RV and visit every state in the Union before determining that Monmouth County is still the best place to live.  She's now settled comfortably in Freehold.

 *************************

A Christmas Carol opened at Center Playhouse, located at 35 South Street in downtown Freehold, on Friday, December 6th and runs for two weekends through December 15th, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $25 for Adults and $23 for Seniors & Students and includes gourmet desserts and refreshments. Group rates for parties of ten or more are available. Seating is limited so call the box office at (732) 462-9093 or visit us online at www.CenterPlayers.org to purchase your tickets.