Reviewed by Laura Kennelly
Even if you don’t know your Dickens (go next door for the Great Lakes version of this classic Christmas tale), you’re likely to enjoy this brand-new, updated, hometown premiere version created by local writer Eric Coble. It’s based on a novella by (now) local author Les Roberts. It’s set during hard times (here that means the 1970s, but when were times ever not?). Ed Podolak is living from day-to-day, separated from his family who wait back home for him to send money when he can find any kind of labor.
Director Laura Kepley moves the action briskly, taking us from boarding house, to bar, to family, home, and even Public Square, to tell the story of poor old Podolak’s worst (and then best) Christmas ever. The cast, including commentator “This Guy” (an energetic Stephen Spencer) and Podolak (played as an appealing “everyman” by Charles Kartali) make us believe in the story. Elliot Lockshine, as little Charlie Torbic, handles a key role (think Tiny Tim) with aplomb. Other young actors also added greatly to the production, especially their little round OOOO faces of amazement that communicate joy even those in the back balcony. The dance party scenes showed just how perky the cast could be. Peter Lawson Jones (yes, the former county commissioner) turned on the charm as two characters–whacky Fez and the more suburban George. Kudos to the ensemble whose singing reminders to “turn off our cell phones” were tuneful and delivered with charm.
Electronic snowflakes transformed an oft-gritty Cleveland to a bit of wonderland thanks to set designer Antje Ellermann. Enjoying Ellerman’s grasp of how to create a sense of a place with minimal shifts in scenery and props added greatly to the overall effect of the play. Psst! I think the Torbic family bought their used car from The Christmas Story family (another family whose misadventures the Play House delighted in telling in past Christmas seasons). The four-seater front facing auto was a nice memory-jog for old-timers.
Looking around the sold-out audience I saw quite a few quiet tears being shed. Dickens’ magic strikes again in what is likely to become another Cleveland Christmas tradition. I’d suggest taking children to see the original first and then (maybe the next year) taking them to this show. That way, they can enjoy recognizing characters transformed–and that can be part of the fun.
A Carol for Cleveland runs in the Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square though Dec. 23. For tickets or information go to http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com or call 216-241-6000.
Laura Kennelly is a freelance arts journalist, a member of the Music Critics Association of North America, and an associate editor of BACH, a scholarly journal devoted to J. S. Bach and his circle.Listening to and learning more about music has been a life-long passion. She knows there’s no better place to do that than the Cleveland area.