Arizona Theatre Firm premiered their manufacturing of the vacation musical “Scrooge!” on the Temple of Music and Artwork in Tucson final week.
An adaptation of Dickens’ vacation novella “A Christmas Carol,” this manufacturing is the most costly the native theatre firm has ever mounted, ATC government director Geri Wright mentioned.
Opening evening within the Temple of Music and Artwork was practically bought out, with seats lined with patrons of all ages.
The musical opened with 4 kids in trendy clothes toting
smartphones, taking selfies and photos round a toy mannequin theatre. To
their shock, individuals in Victorian clothes materialized behind them, take
their telephones away and together with them of their fantastical story.
The music composed by Leslie Bricusse, delivered to life by musical director Alan J. Plado, was whimsical and playful, excellent
for setting the Victorian scene whereas Spencer Liff’s choreography added
trendy touches to the dynamics on the stage. The costuming, which was
designed by Elizabeth Caitlin Ward, was spectacular. The Cratchit household
was wearing matching hues of inexperienced and yellow.
Tony Award winner Shuler Hensley starred as Ebenezer
Scrooge, whereas the three ghosts – the Ghost of Christmas Previous, the Ghost of
Christmas Current and the Ghost of Christmas But-to-Come – had been performed
by Karmine Alers, Geoffrey F. Belliston and J Savage. Hensley received his Tony for his position as Jud Fry in “Oklahoma!”‘s revival. He is performed Frankenstein’s monster thrice – in “Van Helsing,” within the Broadway manufacturing of “Younger Frankenstein” and in “Frankenstein, the Musical.” Alers is understood for taking part in roles equivalent to Laura in “Bare As We Got here,” Mimi in “Lease,” Aida in “Aida” and as Gloria Fajardo in “On Your Toes.” A few of Belliston’s credit embody Shrek in “Shrek the Musical” in addition to being within the European tour of “Hair” with the Phoenix Theatre Firm. Savage lately made his Broadway debut within the authentic forged of “Unhealthy Cinderella” by Andrew Lloyd Webber as Gawain.
The social gathering confirmed to Scrooge by the Ghost of Christmas Previous was visually stunning. The lads had been wearing pink fits whereas the ladies had been wearing white and gold angel wings as they sang and danced to “December the Twenty-Fifth”.
When the Ghost of Christmas But-to-Come confirmed Scrooge his personal funeral, the forged wore trendy textures of leathers and vinyl, giving it a futuristic contact.
The perfect costumes had been these of the three ghosts. The Ghost of Christmas Previous wore luscious white feathers and a snowflake again piece. The Ghost of Christmas But-to-Come wore an avant garde set made out of vinyl-like cloth and an extended black skirt with a practice. Nevertheless, the Ghost of Christmas Current stole the thunder. His outfit was match for a spring god with flower vines and tinsel extensions in Belliston’s beard. The usage of lighting and projections was additionally good and impressed.
Bricusse was the writer of the 1970 film “Scrooge,” in addition to the 1992 stage musical and 2022 animated adaptation. The British composer additionally wrote the music and lyrics for “Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing unit” and “Physician Dolittle,” in addition to the themes for the James Bond movies “Goldfinger” and “You Solely Reside Twice.”
ATC’s manufacturing — helmed by Creative Director Matt August— was equal components playful and heartwarming and it efficiently took the viewers alongside the journey of Scrooge studying the worth of generosity, love and the significance of cherishing fleeting moments that may’t be weighed in a scale or accounted for in a ledger.
Tiny Tim, performed by Max Morgan, and his siblings made the viewers snicker with their mischief but additionally added layers of complexity and mortality as his dad and mom and Scrooge thought-about his situation.
Scrooge’s reactions to his youthful selves previously lit up the theatre with extra laughter and empathy. By the point the forged got here out to take their remaining bows, the viewers members had been able to get on their ft and grant them a standing ovation.
ATC’s “Scrooge!” is a bit match for the entire household. Will probably be in Tucson till Saturday, Dec. 2. After its run in Tucson, the musical will transfer to the Tempe Heart of the Arts for opening evening on Saturday, Dec. 9 and can stay there till Saturday, Dec. 30.