THE PLAY: Three actors in a traditional English musical hall put on their abbreviated and minimally-cast version of “A Christmas Carol.”

 

THE PRODUCTION:  The script and short snappy songs are chocked with witty lyrics, double entendres and good natured insults. Much of it would be silly…if they weren’t so impeccably timed and delightfully staged. Lauren Leinhaas-Cook holds down the central role of Scrooge with solid presence and a lovely voice, Kirk Morton makes a staunch straight man (!), but it’s Steve Boschen’s naughty, vacant character and perfect delivery that fill the show with almost constant laughs. Director Shon M. Stacy has engineered the parts to fit together with lively fun and clever comic bits.  David A. McLain’s set is appropriately simple and festive, while Andrew Bonniwell’s lights add extra dimension. Between Roy George’s  musical direction and Macon Mann’s onstage accompaniment the music is solid without being showy. Tom Hammond’s original costumes (with tweaks for this production from Alex Valentin) provide rich, colorful period joy and the hair/makeup by Joel Furtick add more humorous elements. Running time: 1:30

 

THE POINT: A riotous rendition chocked full of laughs and screwball fun. Dickens never had it so good!

 

(5 / 5)

 

At Richmond Triangle Players thru 12/17