If you have a good memory, perhaps you can recall the pleasurable hours you spent sitting around the brown Philco radio with your family, listening to mysterious voices of "The Shadow" or Christmas music sung by Bing Crosby. Those days are happily back again for a brief time thanks to Joe Landry who has penned another holiday gift for the whole family.
Several years ago, Landry presented audiences at Music Theatre of Connecticut with an original adaptation of Frank Capra's classic favorite "It's a Wonderful Life," the inspiring tale on one George Baiiey of Bedford Falls, New York who doubts his life has any meaning. A well intended second-class angel named Clarence earns his wings helping George realize his life is important.
Now Landry has adapted another classic, Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," set it in a radio studio, and you have until Sunday, December 17 to enjoy this latest gift. A lively and talented cast, Mike Boland as Scrooge, with Elissa DeMaria, Matt Grasso, Kaia Monroe and Jacob Sherburne as everyone else, from the ghosts to nephew Fred to Tiny Tim.
With bells clanging, thunder rumbling, chains jingling and keys banging, the audience gets to see and hear all the sound effects that make a radio show so special, including the commercials for such items as Old London Fruit Cake, how yummy. We are privy to all the angst that the mean hearted Scrooge is exposed to as his stingy soul is opened to love, generosity and redemption. We witness the dreadful shadows that surround him evaporate as Scrooge learns the lessons that the ghosts teach. Tim Howard directs this timely favorite that the whole family will embrace, with original music by Kevin Connors..
For tickets ($30-55), call MTC, 509 Westport Avenue (behind Nine West), Norwalk 203-454-3883 or online at www.musictheatreofct.com. Performances are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Come experience the transformation that Scrooge undergoes as his heart is opened and love is allowed to flow.
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