Trinity Repertory Company presents its 49th annual production of A Christmas Carol, adapted from the novella by Charles Dickens, with original music by Richard Cumming. This year, the production is Co-directed by former Trinity Rep Artistic Director and Emmy Award–winner Richard Jenkins and acclaimed choreographer Sharon Jenkins. Due to ongoing renovations of the theatre, this will be the first time the beloved tale of redemption and joy plays in the intimate Dowling Theater.
Yes, it’s Charles Dickens’s classic through the familiar prism of regret, but with some sweet surprises, leaning into the familiar while offering a new groove and a lot more tidings of comfort and joy. This rendition of A Christmas Carol is easily the best this reviewer has ever seen, and there have been many! Kudos to Trinity for delivering an amusing twist on this classic, to which Dickens himself would give two thumbs up.
As told by Trinity Rep, when the clock strikes midnight one fateful Christmas Eve, the curmudgeon Scrooge finds himself face-to-face with the ghost of his old pal, Marley. Through a supernatural journey, Scrooge must confront the past, acknowledge the present, and define the future for the good of the community — and his very soul. Resident company member Stephen Thorne returns to the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, which he last played in 2018.
“Richard and Sharon Jenkins are Trinity Rep royalty,” says the Laura H. Harris Artistic Director Curt Columbus. “Their intimate retelling goes to the very heart of stories being told around fireplaces at holiday time. And having Stephen Thorne leading the cast as Scrooge simply puts everything in place to have the most memorable, the most special, the most magical telling of A Christmas Carol in many years.”
When Scrooge is pulled into memory he sees his crumbling future, and the hush falls heavy. Thorne inhabits the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, bringing fresh nuances to the weary miser. He is not only a curmudgeon but a man fatigued by his own choices. Scrooge carries memories unreleased, and the ghosts expose him, asking the question: what if he had listened? The answer comes in the way of impish geniality, connection and sincere charity. Versatile and expressive, Thorne handles the emotional range effortlessly.
It is indeed magical — and even includes some sleight of hand! Magic designer Nate Dendy not only enthralls us with his adroitness, but also delights with clever, comical narrations, and playful antics as a young lad. It’s a small stage, so many of the players portray multiple roles. Design elements by Michael McGarty are beautifully deployed, adding to that feeling of being drawn into Scrooge’s inner world. Period costumes by Toni Spadafora-Sadler remind us it’s a Dickens piece, but with some modern accoutrements adding a bit of flair. Lighting designer Brian J. Lilienthal invites us in with festive illumination for a bustling, yet charming stage.
Taavon Gamble is a treat as an exuberant Ghost of Christmas Present. The rest of the talented cast, including Alison Russo, Gillian Williams, Mauro Hantman, Kayla Bennett, Evie Dumont and Henry Nwaru round out a company that feels rooted and agile. Jeff Church as Bob Cratchit is especially nimble with his comedic acting.
The children’s casts (there are two— red and green) feature local performers who charm the house in quiet, unassuming moments of youthful fear, hope and song. Music director James Woods and Sound Designer Peter Sasha Hurowitz dignify both the anxious and humorous moments with perfect timing and expressive accompaniment.
The most affecting moment comes not in the ghosts’ showy appearances but in the Cratchit family’s sense of community, kindness, and family tenderness in the face of hardship. The triumphs hide in the ensemble’s quieter beats, grounding the spectacle. The message that generosity matters remains unchanged. This is especially true as — on opening night — 9-year-old Salvador Rivera Scotti as Tiny Tim (red cast) sends us home smiling with those famous words, “God bless us, every one!” then stuns with a soprano message at curtain.
Dickens wrote in a time of moral imperative. Trinity Rep’s A Christmas Carol reminds us our time is one of moral urgency. Theatre can do more than just entertain. It can touch, stir, challenge, and make us chuckle. Yes, one more visit to this story is totally worthwhile. Here is a moment of quiet redemption, reflection, and the holiday spirit. Go and sit in the stillness as the magic unfolds. Watch what can still change — and help be the change. A Christmas Carol runs through December 31. For more information, visit trinityrep.com