Carolyn Howard
PassPort to San Diego
Audiences attending the holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” staged by Old Town’s Cygnet Theatre in December enjoyed a delightful treat. A charismatic cast brought the timeless message of hope and redemption to vibrant and engaging life with jubilant musical numbers, dazzling period costumes and the surprising and fascinating use of puppets.
Watching the reimagined production with my parents and two sons, ages 12 and 15, put us right in the holiday spirit. The surly Ebenezer Scrooge was played to perfection by Tom Stephenson, veteran of the local stage. We loved seeing the transformation of Scrooge’s soul near the play’s end and the joy expressed by the whole cast.
While my family and I had never been to Cygnet Theatre, we thoroughly enjoyed the intimate setting, where every seat had a great vantage point.
The performers began by warming up the crowd with amusing, kid-friendly jokes. They definitely got everyone from middle-schoolers to seniors involved. When it came to sounds and props, I was impressed by the improvisations of the actors. They used the stage creatively and kept the mood light.
The cast definitely earned a two thumbs up! The kids especially appreciated the singing, which made this yuletide fable even more fun! My family and other audience members came away knowing we had experienced a top-quality production. This is sure to become a holiday tradition!
Next up for Cygnet, now in its 13th season: “When the Rain Stops Falling,” running Jan. 14-Feb. 14. The synopsis: This intricate, multi-layered story spans four generations and two continents. It begins on a rainy day in the year 2039, as a big fish falls from the sky in Alice Springs, Australia. It’s like manna from heaven to bless the reunion of a father with his long lost son. Perhaps it’s a sign that the pattern of betrayal and abandonment that began on another rainy day in London in 1959 will come to an end.
For more information and to save up to 50 percent on a Cygnet production, visit http://passporttosandiego.com/company/cygnet-theatre/. Or phone (619) 337-1525, or for Group Sales (619) 337-1525 x113, or e-mail: boxoffice@cygnettheatre.com.