Lamb's "A Christmas Carol"

                        Cast of "A Christmas Carol"

Lamb’s Players Theatre has been presenting “A Christmas Carol” for something like 44 years.

This year is a particularly wonderful show, thanks to a terrific cast (each playing multiple characters) and a musical score consisting of great musical medleys arranged by Deborah Smyth, Vanda Eggington, Ian Brandon and Mary Kidd. The show is adapted and directed by Kerry Meads.

Brian Mackey plays the old goat Scrooge, whose life choices have led him to pinch pennies rather than donating them to the needy, to say mean things to nearly everyone and to act in a way that results in the almost visible shrinking of his spirit.

It’s Christmas Eve at the start of the play, and Scrooge’s clerk Bob Cratchit (Geno Carr) asks to leave early. You remember the volcano that erupts at that request, but finally Scrooge lets him go, with strict orders to come in early the next day.

With nothing else to do, Scrooge goes home to be visited by ghosts of his past, (including his recently-deceased partner Marley) so he gets to view all the dreadful things he’s done. Some people have to learn the hard way.

Meanwhile, the townspeople are getting ready to celebrate the Christmastide with feasting, joy, and helping the poor, like regular people. The Cratchits are not rich (thanks largely to Scrooge’s penury), but they are a happy family, despite the fact that Tiny Tim is crippled. But they eat, celebrate, love each other and are glad to be alive.

The other characters – Old Joe, Fred and others – are also having a wonderful, musical time, singing one or another of the 13 beautiful medleys arranged by talented musicians Deborah Smyth, Vanya Eggington, Ian Brandon and Mary Kidd. This music is a particularly delightful aspect of the play.

The technical aspects of the play are also excellent. Michael McKeon’s sets and especially projection designs are particularly fine. Jeanne Reith does her dependable magic with the costumes, Nathan Pierson does wonders with the lighting and Patrick Duffy’s sound design is just right, and so are Rachel Hengst’s props.

Christmas is coming. Do yourself a favor and get over to Lamb’s to see this amusing, uplifting and musically magic show.

The details

Lamb’s Players “A Christmas Carol” plays through Dec. 24, 2022 at Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Avenue in Coronado.

Shows  Tuesday through Saturday at 7 p.m.; matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 24 shows at noon and 4 p.m.

Tickets: lambs players.org or 1-619-437-6000