LEWISTON — Nothing says Christmas tradition like “A Christmas Carol” and a local adaption of that classic comes to The Public Theatre stage for performances on Dec. 7-9.

Nobody knows the local tradition of the beloved Charles Dickens play better than Christopher Schario, TPT artistic director, who wrote this imaginative version in 1993. He has presented the show to audiences in Lewiston, and a few other places, about 17 times — and “it’s always one of my favorite things of the whole year,” he said.

“Sometimes it’s easy to forget the meaning of the season in all the holiday shopping. Watching Scrooge’s journey awakens my own holiday spirit and always gets me ready to truly celebrate Christmas,” Schario said.

The Public Theatre’s version begins with a child reading a copy of Dickens’ novel. As the child reads, five actors and a fiddler magically appear and slowly coax the child into joining the story and becoming the character of Tiny Tim. Schario described the production as a marvelous metaphor for the way literature grabs and transforms us, as well as an original way of illuminating this inspiring tale of human redemption.

Joel Leffert has taken on the iconic role of Scrooge this year. Leffert gave a powerhouse performance as Mark Rothko in TPT’s production of “RED” last season.

Also returning to TPT will be Michael Frederic as Bob Cratchit, Sheila Stasack as Mrs. Cratchit and Ellen Lindsey as Fan and Belle. Frederic was in last season’s “Around the World in 80 Days.” Stasack has been seen in TPT’s productions of “Fallen Angels” and “Red Herring.” Lindsey was in “The 3 Little Pigs.”

The roles of Fred and Christmas Present will be played by local actor Matt Delameter, who appeared in TPT’s “Last Mass at St. Casimir’s.”

Maddie Leslie plays Tiny Tim. Aaron Watson portrays Christmas Present and also handles the show’s on-stage storm sound effects with a hand-cranked wind machine and a thunder sheet.

Jennifer Armstrong is the fiddler who wanders the stage providing traditional holiday tunes and background music for the familiar scenes. Originally from the Chicago area and now living in Belfast, Armstrong has taken her storytelling and fiddle performances worldwide. She will lead the audience in a Christmas carol singalong following the play.

In the years since Schario wrote this adaptation for TPT, there have been occasional revisions. “It’s a gradual evolution of things,” he said. “It usually happens during rehearsals. Someone says, ‘Let’s try this.’ It’s not a monumental decision to change things. It might be ideas for some small changes like a stage direction.”

Nevertheless, there came a time a few years ago when Schario decided it was time to make some changes to his adaptation, which had been published by Dramatists Play Service and performed by many theater groups worldwide. Schario’s latest version of “A Christmas Carol” is now distributed by the publisher and is the one being staged at TPT.

“We stay true to the heart of the story, while at the same time imaginatively rejuvenating this familiar tale,“ Schario said. Much of Dickens’ original text is used, with six actors sharing narration and portraying various characters with the aid of creative costuming and lighting.

Schario noted that a section of ceiling above the stage was removed a few months ago so that lighting equipment could be raised about two feet. This is a welcome advantage for lighting designer Bart Garvey.

Go and do

WHAT: “A Christmas Carol”

WHO: The Public Theatre

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7.; 2 & 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec 8; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9

WHERE: 31 Maple St., Lewiston

TICKETS: $18 adults/$5 children. Call 782-3200

MORE INFO: www.thepublictheatre.org

Copy the Story Link