Theater Review: 'A Christmas Carol' at Downtown Cabaret

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

All photos by Downtown Cabaret Theatre

The Downtown Cabaret Theatre is finishing up the run of “A Christmas Carol,” a version written by Andrea Pane, who also directed the production that he stars in in the role of Scrooge.

Pane does a great job of bringing out the comedy in his role, accomplishing a great rapport with the youngest members of the audience. He also throws in a bit of improv and a few jokes for the adults that fly over the heads of the kids. Because of the size of the cast, Pane interacts with the first two ghosts as his younger self.

The adaptation mixes classic lines from Dickens’ tale with contemporary references, like “sorry, not sorry,” and even a mention of the city of Bridgeport. There were lots of children at the matinee that I attended who enjoyed the show, especially talking back to the actors when prompted.

I wondered why Scrooge had a stuffed Pooh bear resting on his bed, until it became clear that it was meant to tease one of the upcoming children’s shows at the Downtown Cabaret. Another scene contains a cute reference that is “two shows ahead,” to “Alice in Wonderland.”

Jojo DeVellis, who I saw as Cliff in “Cabaret” and Southstreet in “Guys and Dolls,” returns to the Downtown Cabaret stage to take on the roles of Bob Cratchit and Mr. Fezziwig, the latter in a great wig. DeVellis charms the audience as Cratchit and is very jolly as Scrooge’s first employer.

UConn graduate Ashley DePascale plays the lovely Belle, Scrooge’s sister Fan, and even a (slightly taller) Tiny Tim. Choreographer Carly Jurman is a ballerina Ghost of Christmas Past, in a light up headpiece, Scrooge’s niece Wini -Fred, Want and an urchin.

Cory Murphy is a riot as Jacob Marley, with a healthy dose of Bob Marley, a less than scary Ghost of Christmas Past, Mr. Jeeves and Ignorance. Karen Hanley, a former physical therapist, takes on the (gift of) the role of Christmas Present (who actually must explain the difference between the ghost and a gift to Scrooge,) as well as a shopkeep.

Emily Pisarra (Freilen Kost in “Cabaret”) makes her children’s theater debut as Mrs. Holowell and the ensemble. Jason Parry (the MC in “Cabaret”) rounds out the cast in voice only in the role of Charles Dickens, who narrates the action, usually to the chagrin of Scrooge. Parry has a great voice that he uses in a cheeky introduction to the first act and throughout the production.

Jurman choreographed the dances, with Aron Smith serving as the musical director of the musical bits sprinkled into the two acts. There are some Christmas songs like “Deck the Halls” and “Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” as well as some contemporary pieces like Bruce Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart” and Aerosmith’s “Dream On.” Lesley Neilson-Bowman has designed some wonderful period costumes, complete with hoop skirts, big bonnets and the obligatory top hats. The costumes for the three ghosts are etherial for Past, festive for Present and not-too-dark for Future. Johanna Jackson designed the good lighting, with scenic and projections designed by Sasha Mishaman that set the outdoor scenes well. The actors accomplish the scene changes.

At the end of the second act, the actors took their bows and questions from the young audience members, as well as acknowledging some birthdays in the audience. Overall, I was impressed with the 90-minute Children’s production that definitely appealed to the youngest patrons while not boring the adults in the house, and I hope to be able to see an upcoming production.

Looking for something fun to do over the holiday break? We're still in the "spirit"! Catch one of the last 4 shows before the curtain closes! Wed, Dec 27 to Sat, Dec 30 at 3:00pm. For tickets: https://dtcab.com/show/a-christmas-carol-2/#buy-tickets

In the new year, Downtown Cabaret has planned two shows for young audiences and the adults that love them. “Winnie the Pooh” will run Jan. 13-Feb. 11 and “Alice in Wonderland” is scheduled for Feb. 24-March 30.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.