BCP brings Christmas classic to stage
The curtain opens on a street in Victorian London. The lights shine on the narrator as she begins telling a story most will recognize when it comes to the holiday season. An old man enters the scene with a scowl on his face. He is brooding and makes the jolly civilians shake in fear. As he clocks into work, the most recognizable Christmas story begins.
Beaumont Community Players presents “A Christmas Carol” through Dec. 16. Adapted by John Manfredi and James Bowen from Charles Dickens’ story. The main character, Ebenezer Scrooge, is an intimidating and greedy man who is known for his cold and icy heart. When his dead partner, Jacob Marely, visits him in the night he warns Scrooge that three spirits will come to aid him in changing his ways or else he will meet an untimely end.
BCP’s version stays faithful to the original, and the story moves along at a good pace.
The cast, setting and costumes immerse the audience in the story. All the actors do a fantastic job with their characters, with James “J.J.” Jackson’s Scrooge stealing the show.
Director Manfredi gives us a production that is immersive and incredibly detailed. Set designers Manfredi and Jerry McMillan bring the audience back in time through the old-fashioned buildings, and costume designer Janice Pattillo creates the perfect look for the characters, especially with the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.
The adaptation does a great job of tugging the heart strings as we see the old miser begin to soften. When Scrooge is shown a memory of his old boss’s Christmas party, it’s hard not to smile seeing the joy on everyone’s faces as they dance the night away.
The play is fantastic and a great show for the whole family to enjoy as they celebrate the holiday season.
“A Christmas Carol” continues Dec. 15-16 at 7:30 p.m. BCP is located at 4155 Laurel Ave. in Beaumont. Tickets can be purchased at beaumontstages.com.