Review: Rhode Island Stage Ensemble's 'A Christmas Carol' is a Spectacular Entertainment

At its core, Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" isn't really about Christmas at all. It's a story about redemption and how a person can overcome their past sins to find true happiness again.

Rhode Island Stage Ensemble's production, which was directed by K Love and adapted by Christian O'Neill, features imaginative staging and some stellar performances.

Steve Taschereau ("The Gin Game") makes for a compelling Ebenezer Scrooge, the stingy businessman who ignores pleas for charitable donations for the poor – "Let them die!" he says, his voice dripping with venom. The perpetually angry misanthrope actively detests the spirit of the holiday season. Scrooge berates his long-suffering employee, Bob Cratchit (Connor Pertain), and snubs his good-natured nephew, Fred (Ray Alvarado).

One night, Scrooge has some surprise guests who take him on a journey through his past, the present, and the future. In a chilling sequence, Scrooge's long dead business partner Jacob Marley (Harrison Fuller) rattles chains as he warns Scrooge to change his ways, or else he will suffer eternal damnation.

The Cratchit family gathers for a Christmas Eve dinner with Scrooge as a silent witness. We learn the youngest child, Tiny Tim (played by a fine young actor named Gray Tibbets), has severe health problems.

What I admired the most was the intense emotion on display.

Taschereau deftly portrays Scrooge's anguish upon learning of Tiny Tim's tragic fate. It's a moment of real introspection, and in the process he vows to be a more generous and compassionate man. It makes his eventual redemption that much more satisfying.

Taschereau is able to convey the character's wanton cruelty and even brings some psychological depth to Scrooge. He's a man who became obsessed with making money and let it dominate his thinking.

"Life is a game," he says. "Winning is the only thing that matters." (That philosophy has been embraced by many of our most powerful political leaders, with disastrous consequences.)

Another great performer is Merynn Flynn ("The Sound of Music") in multiple roles, including the Ghost of Christmas Past. Flynn, who also served as the Musical Director, brings a tongue-in-cheek wit to the character, and delivers soaring vocals on several songs. Alex Jordan was also magnetic and amusing as Charity Man, the Ghost of Christmas Present.

"A Christmas Carol" is spectacular entertainment. The cast and crew respects the source material with inspired touches of humor and pathos. It's not only an impactful story, but a compelling theatrical experience as well. This is a splendid way to celebrate the holidays.

"A Christmas Carol" runs through December 21. Rhode Island Stage Ensemble. Performances at the Assembly Theater, Harrisville, RI. Running time is 2 hours with intermission. For tickets, visit www.ristage.org.