A Wonderful, Uplifting Holiday Classic

Most years, seeing a version of “A Christmas Carol” is on the to-do list along with, yet again, watching Jimmy Stewart in “It’s A Wonderful Life,” listening to Bing Crosby sing “White Christmas” and trying to find a pack of AA batteries on Dec. 26. The production at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck may check off one of the boxes, but it truly entertains and uplifts in the process.

Make no mistake, this isn’t great theater, but it wasn’t meant to be. Lou Trapani, who stars in the production, produced it and is credited for “writing” it (although Charles Dickens may want a share of the billing) is a fine actor, and the clever touches and turns he has added to the original story are part of the reason the production is so successful.

Another success factor is that by cleverly using well-known Christmas carols to introduce each main character and signal each plot twist, the audience ends up humming or quietly singing along. We know these carols. We sing them every year. We’re part of the play.

The final success factor is found in members of the cast. Although one rarely finds uniformly magical voices in every community theater cast member, there are some voices and performances that truly stand out. 

Trapani’s Scrooge is wonderfully timed and delivered. Andy Crispell carries off the role of Bob Cratchit with just the right measure of toady humility and naive good nature so that when he delivers “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen” as a dirge for his fallen son, the audience is so engaged that a few tears are shed.

And kudos to young Ellie DeMann, whose voice is captivating in her carol renderings. Her program biography says the eighth-grader “enjoys theater immensely” … and the audience returns the compliment.

Finally, the trio of ghosts that escort Scrooge on his dream journey from lonely past through his miserly present to the sorrowful future are a robust crew. Joined by Joe Felece as the ghost of Jacob Marley, Lisa Lynds (Christmas Past), Charles Barnett (Christmas Present) and Richard Prouse (Christmas Yet to Come) spirit the play along, pun intended.

Diana di Grandi has directed a large, enthusiastic cast. Jessica Albizu has kept them moving, while Paul and JoAnne Schubert provide the musical underpinnings of the evening. 

“A Christmas Carol” is simply wonderful holiday entertainment. Make a note to try and see it. Bring the family. The enjoyment will be universal.

“A Christmas Carol” runs a “kid-manageable” 75 minutes at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck in Rhinebeck, N.Y., through Dec. 18. For tickets, call 845-876-3080 or go to www.centerforperformingarts.org.