Spring Break
'Christmas Carol' enjoys successful opening night
Dan Stroud
Issue date: 11/26/07 Section: Culture
- Page 1 of 2 next >
|
"[Scrooge] peeked into the soul of humanity," Dickens (Brand) said.
But before a single person sat down for the night's festivities Nov. 20, cheer and good will seemed to emanate throughout the Spencer Theatre on the UMKC campus. This may have been less coincidence than intent as organizers offered a complimentary glass of champagne to adult attendees in honor of opening night.
Gary Neal Johnson played the lead character, Scrooge, for the eighth time in Kansas City and the reason for this was evident from the start. Johnson has numerous credits and most recently starred as Harry Truman in a pair of extended runs of the Rep production of "Give 'Em Hell, Harry."
The performance was reminiscent of a 1984 performance made by actor George C. Scott. That "…Carol" was a made-for-television movie.
Other performances of note by the cast included David Graham Jones as Scrooge, the young man, and Cassandra Schwanke in dual roles as Scrooge's first love Belle, and the wife of his nephew Fred. Jim Gall shined brightly as the Ghost of Christmas Present.
Brand, in his 18th season as a member of the Kansas City Repertory Theatre's rendition of the play performed masterfully. But that has become more typical than not in recent years for the Kansas City performer.
The veteran actor has been seen in numerous productions around the Kansas City area, including performances at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, the Unicorn Theatre and at the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival.
Peggy Friesen, who played Mrs. Fezziwig and doubled as harpist for the play, celebrated the beginning of her 23rd year with the show at the Repertory Theatre. Michael Linsley Rapport, who starred as Mr. Fezziwig, started his 19th year as a member of the production.
According to the show's program, only Dr. Jennifer Martin, UMKC Hall Family Foundation Professor of Theatre, has enjoyed a longer run. Martin, the choreographer for the production, celebrated 25 years as a member of the cast and crew.
The stage design and decoration offered what the warmth and feeling of Christmas time in London must have been like. It added a powerful suggestion of the impending holiday season along with a warm invitation to the coming celebration.
Be the first to comment on this story