By Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com
photo by Brian Gawne
Jacob Marley (Jacob Brown) is wrapped in the chains of his selfish past to confront his grumpy business partner Ebeneezer Scrooge (David Orley) in the perpetually Christmas cheerful town of Dickensville USA.
If Charles Dickens had been living in the American midwest during the 1950s he might have written something like the Gaslight Theatre's “Scrooge, A Merry Miserly Christmas Carol! A Gaslight Musical Parody.”
Yes, this plot is essentially similar to “A Christmas Carol” that Dickens famously did write in 1843.
Only at the Gaslight, their setting is Dickensville, USA, a town famous for its perpetual year 'round Christmas spirit. Well, what else can you expect when Mayor Fezziwig (Todd Thompson) is also the proprietor of Fezziwig's Hardware Store.
And the socializing center for all that merriment is the Dickensville Diner,which looks quite a bit like the Gaslight's own 1950s-styled milkshake and hamburger hangout.
So instead of Londoners attired in their top hat elegance we see casually dressed Bob Cratchit (Mike Yarema) and his patient wife Gwen Cratchit (Miranda Sloan), the financially distressed proprietors of the Dickensville Diner.
It takes awhile to get all this set up before we meet the growly- natured Scrooge (David Orley), forever muttering “humbug” and other familiar quotes (“decrease the surplus population”,,, et al)
One of the best match-ups of current pop songs and traditional story is combining weary Jacob Marley (Jacob Brown), wrapped in those clanking links of deep regret, singing “Unchain My Heart.”
Tops in the costume department is the bright red beehive hairdo of Miss Snivling (Erin Thompson), the struggling secretary of Scrooge & Marley.
This “Scrooge” was written by Peter VanSlyke, adapted and directed by Katherine Byrnes and Mike Yarema, with musical direction by Josh Lamoreaux.
For the “Rockin' Christmas Olio” there's no where else to go but Las Vegas to hear “Santa Clause Is Back In Town.” Christmas themed puns are a staple of their holiday programming, as well as a featured chorus of black-nosed singing reindeer.
So will there be a special appearance by Elvis Presley, the Gaslight's own patron saint? Well, really, is the Pope fluent in Latin?
After all, around the North Pole when you talk about the King of Rock 'n' Roll, you're talking about Elfish Presley.
Not to end on a downer note but the full run of Gaslight's “Scrooge” is sold out. To get on the list for any last minute cancellations, phone the box office, 520-886-9428.
