Victorian San Francisco creates a perfect setting for the Christmas classic A Christmas Carol which opened at ACT last night, complete with a scene stealing rock star of Jacob Marley's ghost and some quirky head bopping choreography by SF Ballet's Val Caniparoli. Slideshow below.
Some know Caniparoli from his ballet/theater hybrid experiment with Muriel Maffre and Pascal Molat last year called The Tosca Project, the full version coming up this spring with Pascal. Most know Caniparoli from his long association with SF Ballet where at Christmas he performs as the magician in the Nutcracker. Having done that all these years, he seems to have taken on a Mark Morrisian sensibility about the holidays. Thanks for that.
The audience also applauded the ghost of Jacob Marley (pictured above) arising. He would get the same rock star acknowledgement when he appeared for his bow. Laughter followed his entrance for Mrs. Dilby’s antics, the ditzy chambermaid trying to accommodate Scrooge in his nightly routine in the bed chamber. Dancing at the Fezziwig Warehouse was a highlight, accented by the snappy moves choreographed by Val Caniparoli. Together with the bright and cheery period costumes and cartoon-like sets, the production seemed warm and folksy. ACT's full house seemed to end up as jubilant as the reformed Scrooge with Tiny Tim and the Cratchit family. Nobody disrupted the performance with candy wrappers or coughing, not even the children. Especially not the children. Sugarplums all.
Kyle Schaeffer steps up as Bob Cratchit--channels Roddy McDowell
A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program third year student Kyle Schaeffer went on in the role of Bob Cratchit for the opening night performance of A Christmas Carol. The role is usually played by A.C.T. core acting company member Gregory Wallace, who sat out due to illness. Schaeffer has been understudying the role through the rehearsal process. Schaeffer appeared to channel Roddy McDowell in both appearance and in manner.
Chamerbermaid Mrs. Dilber (Sharon Lockwood) channels Queen of Egypt?
Petite and long suffering Mrs. Dilber played by Sharon Lockwood seemed humble and delightfully accommodating. Sharon's portrayal seems a charming and funny foil to Scrooge’s temperamental ranting just before his fateful bedtime. Sharon plays not only the frumpy Queen of Egypt/chambermaid Mrs. Dilber but also the happily married Mrs. Fezziwig at the warehouse Christmas Eve party.
A double life
The double role was something all too familiar to Dickens himself. According to the program, Dickens felt haunted by an early trauma even though his adulthood brought him wealth, love and a happy family. Dicken’s father spent five months in prison in England when Dickens was only twelve. Indebtedness. Not the figurative kind where one expresses gratitude but the literal kind. So although Dickens liked reading and school as the schoolboy Scrooge does, young Dickens had to work alone and miserable in a riverside factory during this time.
Overcoming despair through compassion for the poor
He never forgot or forgave his parents for the frightening ordeal where he had to survive alone as a child. Even Dickens’ wife never knew. Dickens would only tell his biographer:
No words can express the secret agony of my soul . . . The deep remembrance of the sense I had of being utterly neglected and hopeless; of the shame I felt in my position; of the misery it was to my young heart to believe that, day by day, what I had learned, and thought, and delighted in . . . was passing away from me, never to be brought back . . . (program page eleven).
Writing proved cathartic for Dickens. He would remain safe with his secret while telling the world for generations to come.
Dickensian Christmas cards
So that’s my Christmas card this year. I bought a box for $18.00 at ACT, watercolors by the costume designer. My set features the ghosts and I am just grateful to be able to afford that this year. It's those I send them to who are priceless.
I am also humbly grateful for the happiness and life changing new friendships I have encountered this year. I am grateful for my friends who have diligently fought back with articulation and intelligence against economic exploitation and a broken or corrupt system. They fight for democracy and human rights. I am forever in your debt.
Click here for Heather Ehmke: Berkeley Tuition Protest.
For more information on A Christmas Carol or the Tosca Project: ACT
Production photos of A Christmas Carol by Kevin Berne (www.kevinberne.com)
Elsewhere, upcoming Christmas performances include the Preservation Hall jazz band from New Orleans. One night only, Saturday, December 19. For more information: www.SFSymphony.org/holiday or call (415) 864-6000.
Other December events:
Met's new production of "Tales of Hoffman" simulcast in HD on Saturday, December 19
Philharmonia Baroque (Friday at Herbst)--Vivaldi Christmas
Cirque de la Symphonie dazzled and defied death
Related articles:
Tosca at Opera in the Baseball Park
Tosca Cafe drinks to doomed lovers
The Tosca Project World Premiere at ACT
Life should be a Mardi Gras again
New Orleans JazzFest tips from an opera god
Greer Grimsley Impressions, Passions, Stand by Me, Dreams
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