Craig Lucas Deconstructs Dickens with Spectacle & Spirits

 by Jenyth Jo & Barry David Horwitz

We know the story: Dickens contrasts Scrooge, a miserly, old, rich man with Tiny Tim, a poor, doomed child. “A Christmas Carol” entertains us with mystery, magic, and hope that Scrooge will share his wealth. But hs transformation remains in doubt until three Ghosts persuade Scrooge to review and preview his life.

When Tiny Tim offers uncanny knowledge of God’s love, we learn that everyone can be redeemed.

Craig Lucas’s new “A Whynot Christmas Carol” channels George Bernard Shaw’s words, displayed in multi-color, student-made signs in the lobby. The motto provides inspiration to make a new and better world:

You see things and you say, “WHY?
But I dream things that never were
and I say, “WHY NOT?”

Why not imagine a better world than Scrooge’s? Lucas’s script challenges super-talented San Francisco actors to play at being small-town amateurs, creating funny pre-production mishaps.  We flash back and forth between rehearsal hall and actual staging, extending our hope the “amateurs” can transform themselves.

As the show evolves, brilliant, longer flashes of Dickens’ story take over—a play-within-in-a-play with a plan.

Director Pam MacKinnon focuses our attention on the essentials: imagination + action. The actors’ double roles challenge them to toggle back and forth between amateur actor and consummate professional:

Catherine Castellanos grows from fumbling actor to inspirational “Revenant of Yuletide Past,” the Spirit who guides Scrooge through his horrific life to date. Castellanos changes  brilliantly from naïve to masterful.

Rosie Hallett, as Scrooge’s lost fiancée, delivers an insightful break-up scene. Hallett displays lovely artistry in her many roles.

Stacy Ross’s bossy Director learns to become contrite to keep the peace, a subtle awakening.

Jomar Tagatec’s bravura scenes enthrall us. Tagatec shivers in Marley’s shackles and suffers the billionaire’s boils with power and passion—a beautiful nightmare.

Jenny Nguyen Nelson,  as Christmas Present in lavish green velvet, points out hard truths to Scrooge with glee. She awakens him to real life.

Behind-the-scenes, the actors bicker among themselves, as Dickens’ dismay infects them. And the children teach compassion to ego-driven adults; little Zayd (charming Piera Tamer) preaches abundance to a stingy world.

Devin Cunningham’s shy, soft-spoken Chima learns to speak up, eloquently. As Bob Cratchit, Patrick Kelly Jones hates with great energy. Dan Hiatt’s Scrooge is surprisingly thoughtful, while his actor Phil overflows with ego.

Shape-shifting Sara Toby Moore demonstrates how gender pronoun use is less a gesture of political correctness and more a nod to personal respect. Impressive.

Hovering over all, the glowing, moving, surreal staging summons up the otherworldly, spiritual nature of this “Carol.” Scenic designer David Zinn conjures elegant, paneled Victorian parlors that drop from the rafters, beautifully lit by Russel A. Champa. Echoing Harry Potter’s supernatural effects, the spectacular magic draws us in and transmits its inspiration to us: Change is possible.

And the Ghost of Christmas Future, a technological marvel of man-powered puppet, arrives to terrify. Smoke billows from its skeletal chest. In facing this future, Scrooge shows us we must do better or die miserable and alone.

Between the small-town theater and Dickens’ tale, points of confusion creep in. Lucas leans heavily into Dickens just when the amateur actors become interesting. In the meta-mashup, we can lose track of the amateurs.

But the Spirits will save us from the oligarchs as Christmas approaches. Zayd asks, “Is there not reason for hope?”  Why not make a better world, adults? ACT has illuminated the way.

A Whynot Christmas Carol” by Craig Lucas, directed by Pam MacKinnon, scenic & costume design by David Zinn, choreography by Erika Chong Shuch, lighting by Russell H. Champa, sound by Jake Rodriguez, puppets by Amanda Villalobos, illusions/magic by Skylar Fox, and music by The Kilbanes, at ACT, San Francisco.

Info: act-sf.org – to December 24, 2024.

Cast: Catherine Castellanos, Devin A. Cunningham, Michelle Drexler, Dan Hiatt, Rosie Hallett, Patrick Kelly Jones, John R. Lewis, Sarah Toby Moore, Jenny Nguyen Nelson, Carrie Paff, Gianna DiGregorio Rivera, Stacy Ross, Michael Shipley, Alyssa Leanne So, Jomar Tagatac, and Piera Tamer.

Banner photo: Dan Hiatt & Jenny Nguyen Nelson with cast members. Photos: Kevin Berne