Act 1 DeSales University Theatre has produced an eerily atmospheric production of Charles Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol," on DeSales Main Stage through Dec. 12.
The adaptation by James Walker uses language directly from Dickens novel and the use of multiple narrators to speak some of the more descriptive phrases from the book adds a decidedly literary quality to the show.
Even with the faithful-to-the-book dialogue, director Dennis Razze gives the production a light touch and even adds some unexpected whimsy, such as Scrooges non-existent office door which characters pantomine opening and closing while another actor at the side of the stage rings a handbell in perfect synchronization.
Razze also wrote the incidental music which adds to the atmosphere of the play.
Johnny Drumgoole holds it all together as the appropriately angry and bitter as Ebenezer Scrooge who playfully transforms by the end of the play.
Christian Tuffy is appealing as Scrooges affable nephew Fred, who exudes good will and heartfelt sincerity.
As Scrooges long-suffering clerk Bob Cratchit, Patrick Byrnes conveys a sense of kindness and resilience.
The stars of this show definitely are the four spirits that haunt Scrooge and who all make memorable entrances thanks to outstanding lighting, sound and set design by Erice Haugen, David Greenberg and Will Neuert.
Samir Browns sad-eyed Jacob Marley appears amid laser lights and smoke. Costume designer Amy Best has outfitted Marley in an impressive assortment of chains and Browns stiff-legged gait makes the spirits agony more palpable. In another nice effect, Marley is carried off by dark spirits, again in keeping true to Dickens book.
Gabby Snyders somewhat detached Ghost of Christmas Past appears in Scrooges wardrobe and leads him around wraith-like.
Joshua Schwirtzs Ghost of Christrmas Present has an almost Broadway-like entrance on a staircase flanked by lighted trees. Schwirtz ghost is amiable but with more of an edge.
Most alarming is Kevin Regans Ghost of Christmas Future who appears amid lightening and thunder. Kudos to Best for his terrifying costume.
On the lighter side, William Borusiewicz and Anna Potson are jovial as the Fezziwigs and Mary Cate Bruno is acerbic but fair as Mrs. Cratchit. The actors playing the children are all appealing.
Another very effective scenic element is a projection screen behind the scenery. The huge snowy window in Scrooges study is impressive and street scenes are particularly compelling during the Christmas past sequence.
The talented cast of 32 actors play multiple roles and all add greatly to the overall production.
Performances are 8 p.m. Dec. 2-4, 8-10; 2 p.m. Dec. 5 and 12; 9:45 a.m. Dec. 6 and 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 11 on the Main Stage of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts in Center Valley..
Tickets are $33 for adults and $31 for students and seniors Monday through Thursday and $34 for adults and $32 for students and seniors Friday through Sunday.
There are two talk back performances with the cast Dec. 5 and 6.
The Dec. 11 performance also will feature audio description for patrons who are blind or visually impaired and open captioning for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Tickets are half price for patrons using these services. Call box office manager Kyle Schumaker at 610-282-3654, ext. 1 for information.
Audiences are required to be masked while in the theater.
There also will be a performance available for streaming Dec. 11. Tickets are $12.
For information, go to tickets.desales.edu, or call 610-282-3192.