Scrooge the Musical at the Empress Theatre

Monday night, Spitfire and I attended Scrooge! the musical at the Empress Theatre.

Before attending the performance, I read a review of it, and I have to say, I agree with much of what was written. Most of the music was utterly boring. However, the songs that are brilliant leave you singing them the rest of the night, such as "Thank You Very Much," "December the 25th," "I Like Life," and "The Minister's Cat."

It took me a while to get into the story and dialogue of the play. It seemed to take the actor who played Scrooge a while to warm up and ease into his character. I found I didn't really care what he was saying, doing, or singing about.

In one of the opening scenes, Scrooge is undressing for bed, and it seemed to take AGES for him to remove all his clothing! He did redeem himself in the scene in which he views Isabel break off the engagement of the younger Scrooge. At this point in the story, he pleads with his former self to go after her, and does it with such anguish and regret.

In one scene involving many townspeople, during the number "Christmas Children", some baby in the audience threw her juice cup onto the stage. Now I know as well as anyone that in live theatre, things happen. First of all, who brings a BABY to the theatre??? But secondly, it was SOOO distracting to the audience to have to look at it the whole scene. It completely pulled me out of the action of the play.

There were five or six actors who nearly tripped on it, that SHOULD have discreetly picked it up, (remaining in character), and kept it hidden until it could be given back at the blackout. As it was, it stayed onstage for the entire scene and musical number, and was not picked up until the black out.

Incidentally, my friend Dennis Larsen played the character of Bob Cratchit. He had a wonderful, effortless, and gentle singing voice. He played Bob Cratchit with tenderness and strength. I was SO impressed. This is the first time I had seen him in a leading role, and I'm sure it won't be the last.

Dennis is on the left

There were some really cool stage effects incorporated by the set designer, Jeremy Heaps.  For example, when Scrooge hears a disembodied voice calling his name, a nylon panel in the "brick" wall, allows the actors to push their hands and faces through. It was REALLY creepy!

Jeremy also incorporated a panel that when back-lit was transparent, to show Jacob Marley behind it. It went from a solid wall, to a ghostly portal. Both were a brilliant use of special effects. Unfortunately, the actors/crew in charge of removing the panel and replacing it, could have used more practice coordinating it, to make the transition less cumbersome.

The actor who played Fezziwig was simply delightful. I found myself giggling along with him whenever he giggled. It was hard not to get caught up in his jubilation. The Ghost of Christmas Present was as fun as usual, silly and jolly, and funny.

During the scene when we first meet Isabel, she seemed very young, which was perhaps the point. She had a lovely voice and played the "budding love" scene quite well. However, I started to take issue with her during the "break-up scene." In this scene, her youth betrayed her inexperience with life and relationships. She came across angry instead of disappointed, and she really didn't portray the heartbreak, and the love, and the sorrow of CHOOSING to end things with Ebeneezer. She lacked any emotional depth.

In this version of the story, the Ghost of Christmas Past is revealed to be Ebeneezer's younger sister. I have seen several versions of this story done before, and never in any of the stories has that been apparent. I found it a touching twist to the story.

There was one member of the supporting cast who really deserves some accolades. My friend, Justina Caldwell played several parts, including Tom Jenkins. Her accent was well done, and she really lit up the stage, fooling everyone that she was a boy. In another scene, she wore a black wig, and a dress. It took me a moment to realize it was her. I enjoyed watching her whenever she was on stage. She has really come into her own, and it was a pleasure to watch her blossom into a fine actress!

There were several times that I couldn't hear the dialogue being spoken onstage. The actors with speaking parts who were not wearing microphones (including the children), need to practice projecting!

I also noticed that the townspeople didn't seem the least bit surprised when Scrooge suddenly turned nice. This is a man who has been mean, nasty, stingy, and ruthless for years. He is hated throughout the town. It seemed almost as if the townspeople were anticipating their debts being forgiven, and were expecting Scrooge to suddenly be kind.

Overall, the performance was enjoyable and a fun way to get into the Christmas spirit.