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By ERIN A. TARABINI - The Buzz CTC proprietor Marc Edson (and director of this production) took hold of the original text and rearranged, shook up and plum changed the lot of it. The first change was dropping the 'A' in the title, keeping it simply "Christmas Carol." While much of the original work's message remained intact -- that of giving versus receiving during the holiday season and throughout life in general, loving thy neighbor, the golden rule, etc. -- Dickens' text managed to work it into the story with grace and even subtly. This adapted version seemed to throw it directly at you, even over-explaining the point in sections. Basically the changes are as follows: the main character is now Carol Scrooge (Lisa Saldano), partner to Jacob Marley (Steve Bowman) in business as well as life (that's right, they were married). Bob Cratchit (Roger Hart) is now a bachelor who lives with his sister, Mary (Catherine Beeghley), and Carol and Jacob's wayward son, "Tiny" Tim (Casey Martin). The change of Tiny Tim from Bob Cratchit's ever-appreciative son to the rebellious, yet misunderstood, punk-rock son of Scrooge and Marley is probably the most affecting change made by Edson. I did appreciate the choice of costumer Andrea Edson to have Tim wearing a shirt that read "money is the root of all evil" throughout the show. Though slightly over the top, it did make me chuckle a time or two. The performances of Saldano and Hart, though lacking a bit of gusto, managed to carry the show through. And Bowman's more comical portrayal of Marley was effective as well. And the root of the story, the visit from the three spirits of Christmas -- Past, Present and Yet to Come -- and the message that each of them carried to Scrooge, also remained the same as it was. The Ghost of Christmas Past (Harv Holtz) and the Ghost of Christmas Future (Darren Clark, who also portrayed Scrooge's gay-hearted nephew, Fred) were both entertaining portrayals, but the most bewitching performance was that of Christina Xydas as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Admittedly, this particular spirit has always been my favorite of the three, probably because I appreciate the attempt to understand the present more than I do the effort to view and learn from the past (which cannot be changed, no matter how hard we try) or the future (which can be change at the drop of a hat). I was slightly disappointed with the lack of creativity when it came to the set design. Besides a few bedraggled set pieces, the stage lacked artistry and flair altogether, save perhaps for a black-light activated tombstone. I understand the monetary restraints of community theater, but a little paint and a few knick-knacks can go a long way. The choice to modernize the work was probably a good one. These days it seems that audiences need to be able to connect and easily relate a story to their everyday lives. I think this production was effective in that regard, especially when it comes to the younger audience that will probably accompany their parents to this holiday show.
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