Meadow Brook Theatre Keeps Tradition Alive With ‘A Christmas Carol’
For some, Christmas is just a date on the calendar; for others, it’s a holiday season steeped in tradition. It’s a time when loved ones gather to reminisce about years past and look forward to what’s to come, all wrapped in activities that have become an essential part of our holiday. From decking the halls and exchanging gifts with friends and families, to singing carols and baking cookies with grandma, Christmas traditions bring people together and give the holiday its warm, joyful spirit, despite the polar chill outside our doors. Meadow Brook Theatre knows all about tradition, as it’s been a staple in the Metro Detroit area during the holiday season with its annual production of A Christmas Carol.
For 43 years, MBT has brought the Charles Dickens novel, adapted for the stage by Charles Nolte, to its stage, cementing itself as a holiday classic for so many people here in Michigan. A timeless tale of holiday hope, this play keeps bringing people back year, as the Travis Walter-directed show wows and amazes in every way possible. With an impeccable group of actors and creatives bringing this show to life, it’s understandable why Meadow Brook Theatre has become such an important holiday tradition for all those who attend year after year. So what does this year’s production of A Christmas Carol have in store for those looking for a little more holiday cheer?
[Warning: Spoilers from MBT’s A Christmas Carol are below!]
A ghostly tale of epic holiday proportions in A Christmas Carol
Who doesn’t know the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the holiday apparitions that visit him on a cold winter night? Charles Dickens’ work is renowned for its exploration of how to be a better person and the impact that one leaves on the world. This is something that we have either thought about or strive to achieve on a daily basis, which is why A Christmas Carol continues to speak to so many since its publication in 1844. The idea of legacy and wanting to be a better person than we were the day before is universal, with Scrooge serving as a prime example of changing our ways.
Perhaps A Christmas Carol is an allegory for the ideal Christian life, in which an individual finds salvation and kindness through a higher power, as some academics have argued. However, I think the core of the story is much simpler than that. A Christmas Carol doesn’t argue that religion is the way to a better life; rather, kindness and charity are the key to truly finding happiness among our peers and friends, which transcends any singular religion. Instead, it’s preaching a universal language that anyone can understand.
Scrooge (Phil Powers) is a deeply flawed man who thinks that money runs the world, and in a capitalist world, he isn’t wrong. Where once he had love is now just a stack of bills and a purse of coins. As long as he sees his pockets filled with money, he has little regard for any other forms of life. He watches as his worker, Bob Cratchit (played by Sam VanKampen in our performance), freezes at his desk, begging for Christmas Day off to spend time with his family, yet still cares little for the man. Even on a grander scale, he’s unfazed by people going into debtor’s jail, as he’d rather that than lose out on a pence.
He’s the embodiment of quite a few deadly sins; however views himself as one of the greatest people in the world, as money has become his entire life. However, as Christmas Eve comes to a close, things take a turn as his first apparition arrives at his doorstep. The Ghost of Jacob Marley (Anthony Guest), Ebenezer’s deceased business partner, appears in his bedroom, covered in chains representing his misdeeds from his previous life. He bears a warning: if Scrooge doesn’t change his ways, he’s destined to a similar fate, unless he changes his ways. However, as people only change if they want to or they’re forced to, Marley informs Scrooge that he’ll be visited by three ghosts, each with a specific mission in mind.
It’s from here that Ebenezer goes on a trip of a lifetime (quite literally) as the ghosts of Christmas Past (Mary Magyari), Present (Tamara Della Anderson), and Future (Sean Ryan) each visit Scrooge to teach him a lesson. As he explores the life that has led to this moment and what’s to come from his current actions, Scrooge has an important decision to make. Is dying alone and lonely worth all the gold in the world?
Meadow Brook Theatre continues to shine with this holiday production
With so many versions of A Christmas Carol in existence, it can be difficult for a production to set itself apart from others. The story remains relatively the same amongst all the different interpretations, so what it comes down to is the specific vision that each iteration presents. Meadow Brook Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol is a shining example of what Dickens’ story can be, as the quality in this stage show is unlike anything else. Audiences can clearly see years of fine-tuning and perfecting that MBT has put into this show, as this isn’t just a play, it’s a complete Christmas spectacle.
The pièce de résistance of this production is the set, which not only transports audiences into A Christmas Carol but somehow erects what feels like an entire village in full swing of a holiday celebration. Standing in the middle of the stage is a complete two-story cottage, which serves as Scrooge’s business and house. It’s an entire house on a turntable, spinning around to show the interior of the building, and swinging back for other scenes set outside Scrooge’s house. It’s an impressive piece of stage tech that not every theater could easily pull off.
MBT has built the entire world of Ebenezer Scrooge in a truly immersive way, which immediately pulls audiences in. The only way to heighten the experience is through impressive acting, which this production has in spades. Phil Powers continues to dazzle as the grumpy and stingy Scrooge, who grows exponentially throughout the show. Scrooge is one of those characters who can appear quite two-dimensional for most of the show, but Powers infuses the character with more moral layers. There are hints of the person underneath the cold exterior, even at the beginning, which harkens back to someone who has been hurt in his past and freezes people out to protect himself.
While the show is definitely Scrooge’s journey towards enlightenment, it’s the spirits that guide him who truly steal the show. Mary Magyari brings an ethereal, mother-like energy to The Ghost of Christmas Past, which complements Scrooge at that moment in his journey. As we learn through the exploration of his childhood, he lacked a motherly figure, someone to provide him with unconditional love, a fact that is further driven home with the loss of his sister. With so much loss, people tend to believe that they don’t deserve love, and Magyari’s spirit provides that lost love spectacularly. The actress is mesmerizing to watch as she dances across the stage, delivering some harsh truths, perfectly mixed with a buttery warmth.
Tamara Della Anderson reinvents The Ghost of Christmas Present in ways that I cannot begin to describe and celebrate. The essence of the character is there, with Christmas Present still appearing jovial throughout their journey together, but Anderson has managed to infuse something even better into the role. She’s given The Ghost of Christmas Present a level of scariness, which is really just her pointing out the consequences of Scrooge’s actions. Anderson easily volleys between light and laughter, to a scolding roar that would make Ebenezer and the audience quake. Anderson was a scene stealer, commanding the stage, even when she said nothing.
Last, but certainly not least, is the foreboding figure of The Ghost of Christmas Future. Sean Ryan returns to the role, bringing the intimidating presence to life once again. Christmas Future has the difficult task of conveying emotions and energy without any words or facial expressions. Instead, Ryan delivers fluid, exciting body movement that says so much without a single word escaping his lips. Perhaps having the most difficult job in the show, Ryan elevates the character to new heights, showcasing just how talented he is.
There’s one individual who also deserves a special shoutout from our performance, as he had the impossible task of stepping into Stephen Blackwell’s shoes. Sam VanKempen played the integral role of Bob Cratchit, whose family is important to Scrooge’s growth journey. Cratchit is always full of light, comparatively to his boss, with a frenetic energy that you can’t look away from. VanKempen doesn’t try to copy Blackwell’s performance, but instead gives his own spin to the character. His version of Bob offers a softer humanity without losing the energy or the heart that is essential for this story.
A Christmas Carol is a welcome part of our holiday season
There’s a reason that Meadow Brook Theatre’s A Christmas Carol has been a holiday tradition, as this play reminds people of what is so important about this season. Love and kindness are at the heart of A Christmas Carol, as audiences reflect on what is important in their lives, as Scrooge does the same. MBT’s holiday production is truly a spectacle in the best way, with a show that should be seen as often as possible.
A Christmas Carol runs at Meadow Brook Theatre through Christmas Eve, so get your tickets now! Have you seen this production recently? What did you think? Let us know on social media @BoxSeatBabes!
Exclusive Interview: The Christmas Spirits of Meadow Brook Theatre’s A Christmas Carol
