Charles Dickens' classic tale comes to life at the Spencer Theatre.

'Christmas Carol' enjoys successful opening night

By: Dan Stroud

Posted: 11/26/07

Robert Gibby Brand's character Charles Dickens captured the truest theme of the timeless holiday classic "A Christmas Carol" with one line referencing Ebenezer Scrooge's experiences.

"[Scrooge] peeked into the soul of humanity," Dickens (Brand) said.

But before a single person sat down for the night's festivities Nov. 20, cheer and good will seemed to emanate throughout the Spencer Theatre on the UMKC campus. This may have been less coincidence than intent as organizers offered a complimentary glass of champagne to adult attendees in honor of opening night.

Gary Neal Johnson played the lead character, Scrooge, for the eighth time in Kansas City and the reason for this was evident from the start. Johnson has numerous credits and most recently starred as Harry Truman in a pair of extended runs of the Rep production of "Give 'Em Hell, Harry."

The performance was reminiscent of a 1984 performance made by actor George C. Scott. That "…Carol" was a made-for-television movie.

Other performances of note by the cast included David Graham Jones as Scrooge, the young man, and Cassandra Schwanke in dual roles as Scrooge's first love Belle, and the wife of his nephew Fred. Jim Gall shined brightly as the Ghost of Christmas Present.

Brand, in his 18th season as a member of the Kansas City Repertory Theatre's rendition of the play performed masterfully. But that has become more typical than not in recent years for the Kansas City performer.

The veteran actor has been seen in numerous productions around the Kansas City area, including performances at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, the Unicorn Theatre and at the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival.

Peggy Friesen, who played Mrs. Fezziwig and doubled as harpist for the play, celebrated the beginning of her 23rd year with the show at the Repertory Theatre. Michael Linsley Rapport, who starred as Mr. Fezziwig, started his 19th year as a member of the production.

According to the show's program, only Dr. Jennifer Martin, UMKC Hall Family Foundation Professor of Theatre, has enjoyed a longer run. Martin, the choreographer for the production, celebrated 25 years as a member of the cast and crew.

The stage design and decoration offered what the warmth and feeling of Christmas time in London must have been like. It added a powerful suggestion of the impending holiday season along with a warm invitation to the coming celebration.

To the left was an antique pump organ and to its left, an orchestral harp. Cleverly camouflaged behind an array of Christmas wreaths was a concert piano that would be utilized many times during the play.

To the right of the stage was a two-tiered London general store and poulterer's shop. Hanging from the rafters of this store set were numerous animal carcasses prepared and ready to be bought and cooked. There were turkeys, chickens and even what resembled a squirrel.

The street lamps did nothing less than stoke the majestic nature of the show and enhance the British imagery designed for the evening.

But the show stopper was to be the assorted carols sung by the ensemble as the evening played out. The singers seemed to come out of the walls dressed impressively in the English attire of 18th century London.

As the play concluded, with excited accolades and standing ovations coming from the audience, the actors marched out of the theatre and into the lobby. The crowd then began to exit and upon spilling out into the concourse, they were greeted by yet more caroling from the ensemble, now standing on risers as if performing a concert.

It was the ultimate culmination of a wonderful Christmas performance and worth the price of admission. Joy could be seen spread across the faces of young and old people alike as they walked out of the theatre in route to their cars and the journey home.

"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens will run through Dec. 24. It is a show that should be appreciated by all who attend. Several might even return next year … and the next … and the next.

dstroud@unews.com