Stage Door Theatre’s unique twist on “A Christmas Carol” engages the audience to use its imagination while spinning out a well-acted rendition of the holiday classic.
Adapted by local playwright Claire F. Martin and directed by frequent Stage Door collaborator Lauren Morris, the lyrical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella embraces the magic of theater with only seven actors on the stage playing a variety of roles.
The only exception to the rule is Michael Joshua Williams, who plays Scrooge in his first Stage Door performance. His miserly demeanor and ultimate transformation are both believable and delightful.
The rest of the actors take on multiple roles as Bob Cratchit’s family, apparitions that appear on Christmas Eve, bystanders providing context to the scenes, and other key players that flesh out the well-known story.
Stage Door does a lot with a little, with the only scenery change indicated by a revolving appearance and disappearance of a fireplace, along with flowing curtains and artful lighting.
Pro tip: At first, it can be difficult to discern the identity of the characters who switch roles on a rotating basis, but pay attention to the unique costume changes, and then it all makes sense. Example: Bob Cratchit wears a very thick tan scarf when performing that role on stage.
Also, fun fact: Clara Lassiter, a nine-year-old Dunwoody resident, was playing Cratchit’s daughter on the day we attended and more than held her own with the rest of the veteran cast.
Martin said the telling of the tale is unique while retaining the message of the original production.
“When Lauren first came to me about adapting A Christmas Carol, I was struck by her vision of treating the play as a spiritual event: a Yuletide ritual of redemption, in which a community of souls comes together to aid in the transformation of one of their own,” Martin said in a release from SDT.
The one-act show, around 90 minutes in length, runs through Dec.21. Tickets are on sale in advance and at the door.