Reprinted with permission of The Sun Chronicle

Theater review: ACT does Dickens right
BY PATRICIA MCALPINE FOR THE SUN CHRONICLE

ATTLEBORO - Over the last several years, Attleboro Community Theatre has made its version of the Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol" a holiday tradition, a community favorite that brings young and old to the stage for a night of fun, family entertainment.

This year, ACT's "Carol" is a fast-paced version of the classic that lifts the spirit and puts everyone in the holiday humor. It has Charles Dickens himself narrating the story, with his characters coming to life around him.

Dickens is ably portrayed by Roger Campbell, who in the right light could be a Dickens look-alike. He narrates as if writing the story for the first time; the scenes unfold around him as he sits at his desk with his quill pen always in motion.

As the miser Scrooge, ACT veteran Alex Aponte is gruff and grumbling as a bear with facial expressions that bring humor to his role. Director Val Coogan utilizes Aponte's comic timing in scenes when he encounters Marley's Ghost and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Aponte is also easily moved by his younger self, portrayed by shy Nicholas Samuel as they share a poignant duet together, "Alone in the World," borrowed from "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol."

As we see the spirits begin their work on Scrooge, Aponte transforms into a cuddly teddy bear who has fun improvising with his character throughout, particularly in the final scene as he becomes giddy with Scrooge's newfound Christmas spirit.

Seasoned performer Doug Macaskill once again portrays Marley's Ghost, and seems to have lots of fun with his role backstage as he moans to drown out the singing of his frightened housekeeper, Mrs. Turk, played by Bev Darling. Onstage he seems to enjoy his role as both tormenter and savior to Scrooge, at one point actually sitting on him to the delight of the audience.

Darling is actually making her first appearance in the housekeeper role she created several years ago for ACT's "Carol," and does a fine comic job of it, too. Her timing and reactions are impeccable as she works off Mackaskill's moans in the beginning of the show and encounters the newly transformed Scrooge at the end.

Brianna Arrighi brings ethereal grace to her Ghost of Christmas Past, while Billy Castro brings joviality to his Ghost of Christmas Present. Gregory Barbon delivers a poignant performance as Scrooge's beleaguered clerk, Bob Cratchitt.

Young people shine.
Other fine performances include Jennifer Vaughn as the Laundress and C J Landram as Mr. Fezziwig. Praise to both these actors for their find handiwork in the make-up department, too. Also impressive are newcomers Stephanie Chaput and Coleen Childs as Mrs. Bainbridge and Mrs. Dooley, the society collectors. They both deliver their lines with a great command of their British accents.

The many young people in the production all perform well and enhance its family appeal. The young urchins (Caleb Arsenault, Allie Conway, Tiani Lea Childs and Amanda Flicop) do a particularly fine job taunting Scrooge in their Cockney accents.

Coogan and company have done a nice job in presenting audiences with a fun, holiday show.

Attleboro Community Theatre's production of "A Christmas Carol" continues the next two weekends at the Masonic Lodge, 71 North Main St., Attleboro. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 11, 12, 18 and 19; and 2 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 13 and 20. Tickets are $15 adults and $13 seniors and students. Bring a nonperishable food item for the Attleboro Area Council of Churches' soup kitchen and you'll get $1 off the admission price.