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| Jens Rasmussen in A Christmas Carol |
KNOXVILLE — The holiday season has officially begun. Turkey, Black Friday and television holiday specials tend to mark the advent of a seemingly compartmentalized mindset focused on vacations, gifts and - if we're lucky - a quiet moment to reflect and remember the reason for it all.
With modern schedules as they are, taking this moment can be impossible, but the Clarence Brown Theatre's perennial production of "A Christmas Carol" provides a genuine opportunity.
Tightly adapted by Edward Morgan and Joseph Hanreddy, this rendition of Charles Dickens' novel moves smoothly through the well-trodden tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge "bah-humbugging" his way through tradition until, by the gift of spirit (and spirits), he comes to learn his micromanaged ways are in fact a horrible miscalculation of his eternal soul.
The cast is wonderful, especially Terry Weber's portrayal of Scrooge. From his stomping and imposing Act 1 to his supplicating finale, Weber skillfully walks the tightrope where one missed step could drop his Scrooge into a stereotypical caricature. Jens Rasmussen's Bob Cratchit, Neil Friedman's Mr. Fezziwig, and the courtship between Ricardo Birnbaum's Mr. Topo and Magan Wiles' Miss Lucy bring much appreciated humor.
James Kronzer's set, Kathryn Rohe's costumes and Beverly Emmons' lighting provide an ideal context, color and focus.
And, of course, the music. "A Christmas Carol" without Christmas carols would be something else entirely, and the sonorous voicing of seasonal tunes is welcoming.
However, on opening night Friday, a surprising moment occurred possibly by happenstance but more likely by design. Throughout the evening, as the ensemble harmonized Christian tradition, a voice or two could be heard from the seats. A crackled soprano here and a dusty bass there tried to contain their impulses to join in and, much to the delight of some fellow patrons, failed.
It was in this moment that Clarence Brown's "A Christmas Carol" reached its most profound mark. For a few members of the audience to become so engaged as to forget the theatrical protocol of only clapping, laughing and standing when culturally appropriate is not only theater at its best, but also a reminder of what is at the heart of the holiday season: a happiness and joy readily at hand for each and every one of us, should we have the opportunity to remember, embrace and share it.
