“Bah, Humbug!” appropriately opens “Christmas Carole 1944,” now playing at the Civic Theatre of Allentown. This year, the words are uttered by Carole Scrooge, in the New York City of 1944. The gender change has not made Scrooge any softer. She hopes that those who celebrate the season wind up with a sprig of mistletoe through their heart, and remarks when she returns to her apartment, “Darkness is cheap, and I like it!”
The plot is the same, however, as Scrooge (JoAnn Wilchek Basist) is visited by her deceased partner Janet Marley (Sharon Lee Glassman) and the Ghosts of Past, Present, and Future.This run begins the 30th year and 350th performance of various versions of “A Christmas Carol” by Civic. They have pretty much cornered the market on the Dickens play in the Lehigh Valley, so much so that if they ever do “The Nutcracker,” other groups may have to take legal action.
It is hard to say they do not deserve it, however, since they always deliver a spectacular show, this time with a cast of about eighty. The special effects are spooky, with entrances and exits through trap doors, smoke, and clever lighting. The elevator, which the spirits use to visit, is particularly effective. There is nothing that should overly frighten small children, however.Although this is not a musical, Christmas and period music are abundant, and the whole cast comes out to sing Christmas carols for an encore of the two-hour show. The show is packed to the brim with Christmas cheer. Cynics might say there is almost too much of it, but they would risk receiving nocturnal visits of their own. The Ghost of Christmas Past (Alexa McFillin) is fairy-like, dressed like a twenties flapper. Christmas Present (Jadyn Lynah) is sassy and colorfully garbed, with a great singing voice, while Christmas Future (Max Wetherhold) barely speaks a few words through his gas mask. Bob Cratchit (Eric Wilburn) still struggles and makes the best of it. Tiny Tim is here replaced by Little Debi (Daisy Grather), and yes, there are jokes about Little Debbie cakes. There are other bits of humor throughout the play that often lighten somber moments. Basist handles the highs and lows expertly, strongly running through the entire range of emotions without becoming overly melodramatic. Whether you have seen this show every year, or not for a while, this “Carole” is worth a visit.“Christmas Carole 1944,” Civic Theatre of Allentown, 527 North 19th Street, Allentown, Thursday to Saturday through December 21 at 7:30 pm, December 8, 14, 15, and 21 at 2 pm, 610-432-8943, www.civictheatre.com/theatre/season/christmas-carole-1944-1