The Curmudgeon strikes back!
There are few literary characters whose names have become synonymous with transformation as much as Ebenezer Scrooge. Charles Dickens’ miserly protagonist’s cold heart is warmed by three spectral visitors in A Christmas Carol, a holiday staple across stage and screen. However, in Mark Brown’s The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge, now playing at Attleboro Community Theatre (ACT), the familiar tale is turned on its head, as Director Jeanne Smith offers this fresh, comically absurd perspective on one of the most well-known redemption arcs in literary history.
The premise of The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge is delightfully brazen. Instead of following Scrooge’s journey from greed to generosity, Brown’s play imagines what happens after Scrooge’s transformation. A year later, the elderly miser has apparently reverted back to his old ways. He is suing Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future for breaking and entering, kidnapping, slander, pain and suffering, attempted murder and the intentional infliction of emotional distress. He himself stands trial for his various crimes, including years of misery inflicted on others and the sudden, seemingly suspect, change of heart that could have been motivated by some sinister cause. Is he truly redeemed, or was his Christmas Eve conversion just a momentary lapse in judgment?
Smith brings an inspired, mischievous, energy to the stage. Set design by Tammy England is a minimalist courtroom with a wood paneling backdrop that echoes the Victorian era’s somber atmosphere while also creating a sense of foreboding. England, who co-directed, built the set along with her husband, Scott. Darlene Statkiewicz spent countless hours creating costume pieces to make everyone look authentic and amazing.
The cast is adept at balancing the comedic elements of the script with the tension of the trial, and in doing so, manages to transform a potentially dry premise into a lively, engaging theatrical experience. The show opens with Newspaper Boy Skylar King (England’s son) announcing the big trial. News is carried through the streets by four orphans, who slyly toy with the audience as though they’ve been practicing for years.
Alex Aponte’s portrayal of Scrooge feels like a natural evolution of the classic character. The miserly curmudgeon of Dickens’ original is also a vulnerable old man caught up in the bizarre legal proceeding, unsure whether he’s being punished for his past or questioned for his newfound humanity. Aponte delivers a charming and earnest performance with such bold facial expressions, he effortlessly embraces the comedic absurdities of the courtroom drama as well as the emotional depth of a man still struggling with his own redemption.
“We were blessed with a truly talented cast who were eager and excited to help us transform this hysterical farce into an outstanding comedy that will hopefully give you, our patrons, a rib-aching theatre experience!” says Smith. “This is my second time directing this show, and if you were lucky enough to have seen it in 2014, you may find some of the characters very familiar, as several of our actors were in the previous version. Several of our patrons kept suggesting that we do this show again, and so we took them up on it! We hope you enjoy it!”
The cast adds flair to the show, with notable performances from Jim Cannizzaro as flustered Judge Pearson, and who better than ACT veteran Mark Carter portraying the spooky ghost of Jacob Marley, straddling the line between ethereal wisdom and dry humor. The interplay between all characters adds a comedic dynamism to the show that consistently keeps the audience engaged as the trial’s silliness escalates.
Chris Sabatino is perfect as attorney Solomon Rothchild. His jolly courtroom antics make the play, backed by those of Mike Long as the Bailiff, Mr. Connolly. Alex Panagapoulos’s role as Christmas Yet to Come is so other-worldly, only the level-headed translator, portrayed by Ruthie Withers, can make sense of him, but we get the animated gist of it all with a laugh a minute!
As with any courtroom drama, the real drama lies in the closing arguments, and the play’s resolution satisfies. This clever reimagining of Dickens’ tale challenges audiences to consider what “redemption” really means, and how we should approach those who seek forgiveness — or those who might be playing us for fools.
The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge is a playful, thought-provoking work that brings fresh life to a well-worn holiday favorite. There’s literally nothing stopping this smash hit from becoming a new classic! Brown’s script and Smith’s direction create a production that’s as funny as it is heartwarming, reminding us that even the most notorious characters deserve a second chance, while dropping a surprise or three along the way! Whether you love holiday classics or simply enjoy a good courtroom comedy, this production is a spirited reminder that even Scrooge, despite his flaws, can hold a place in our hearts this season.
ACT presents The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge through December 14. For more information, visit attleborocommunitytheatre.net
