Review: A Half-Century Tradition, Trinity Rep's 'A Christmas Carol' Will Warm the Coldest Heart

This years' production of Trinity Repertory Company's "A Christmas Carol" carries not only nearly fifty years of history, it's also a history-making collaboration between two arts organizations. As Trinity prepares to renovate its Chace Theatre, the production is performed at the Providence Performing Arts Center. With a diverse cast, grand lighting design and some holiday inspired choreography, this is just the thing to kick off the season with pizazz.

Tatyana Marie-Carlo (Trinity's "Sueno," "La Broa," and "Fade") helms this years' "Carol," and, as a resident artistic company member since 2021, she is the right choice to bring these old "sprits" to life for Ebeneezer Scrooge (longtime Trinity company member Anne Scurria). Mauro Hantman plays the ghostly Jacob Marley, and Taavon Gamble pulls more than double duty as choreographer as well as playing three characters onstage. Lots of familiar faces from past productions join the ensemble, notably Jenna Lee Scott (this season's "POTUS"), Rudy Cabrera ("La Broa'"), and Alex LeBlanc ("La Cage Aux Folles").

But one of the shining stars of this production has got to be the sets by Michael McGarty, who makes great use of the larger PPAC space to craft a multi-level metal framework of stairs and platforms, which, flanked by movable set pieces and some moody lighting, brings a theatrical flair to the shenanigans.

As Jacob Marley pops out of Scooges' rooms, he's got some of his fellow ethereal travelers attached to his chains, and both Christmas Past (Hanna Spacone) and Christmas Present (Nora Eschenheimer) are decked out in some fantastic costumes by Amanda Downing Carney.

With a bit of smoke and a whole lot of Christmas cheer in the form of garlands, lights, and 19th century threads, the production manages to capture the heart of Dickens' novella, which most will know by heart at this point – especially if you've followed Trinity's yearly tradition. But it's Scurria's earnest portrayal as Scrooge that breathes fresh life into the curmudgeonly miser. Even newcomer Katsuto Sakogashira gives an honest and heartfelt performance as the put-upon clerk Bob Cratchit, who cannot afford to help his own ailing son, Tiny Tim (Nicholas Shay). While a few lighting issues plagued the opening night performance, it was fixed in good time and the production proceeded smoothly.

There has never been a better time to experience this Holiday tradition with your family than now, with "A Christmas Carol" in a (temporary) new home not more than a few blocks away from the Washington street location. If you are one of the very few who have never seen this story, it might just thaw out a cold heart and give some hope when life seems stressful.

"A Christmas Carol," presented by Trinity Repertory Company, continues through December 4th and from Dec 26th-29th at The Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903. For information or tickets call 401-421-2787 or visit www.ppacri.org. You can also visit www.trinityrep.com.