Venice Theatre makes a smaller stage shine in production
through Dec. 22
VENICE – Not only is the Venice Theatre production of “A Christmas Carol” as good as that story can be on stage, it also seems to get better each year.
That it has managed that in the smaller Raymond Center mainstage created after Hurricane Ian destroyed the wonderful William H. Jervey Jr. mainstage in the main building is a testament to the staff, volunteers and donors of Venice Theatre.
In production after production, Tim Wisgerhof creates spectacular set designs while lighting designer John Andzulis adds additional magic to every production with lighting for a stage without a stagehouse. That is no easy task.
While the Raymond Center’s ceiling works well for an office, it leaves little if any room for the lighting equipment common to theater spaces. Sound designer Nate Bleweiss, costume designer Ross Boeringer and props designer Lisa Million also have worked on this show for many years. This year, they have gone far beyond tweaking. Wisgerhof extended his set design, not just to the walls surrounding the audience but for this show, to the stage floor. Lighting master Andzulis added lanterns to surrounding walls and the limited space above the stage.
Additional lighting at the back of the stage and in other places takes the audience back to the era when the story was penned by Charles Dickens.
The temporary Raymond Center stage may be small but these professionals make it just as magical as any great stage and continually add subtle touches to make it all even better.
These men, many cast members and director/choreographer Alyssa Goudy have been involved with this wonderful production for many years.
Michelle Kasanofsky has been the show’s musical director for 22 years. Her husband Neil has likely been in the show the same number of years but in many roles. This year, he plays a charity man, Fezziwig, and the Ghost of Christmas Present.
Brad Wages, Venice Theatre staff director/choreographer, returns for the sixth year as Scrooge, having succeeded Eric Watters, who had played the role from the third year onward.
Many a youngster’s Venice Theatre stage career began in the role of Tiny Tim. Many have also appeared in the show several times in various roles as they grew older. This year, Joy and Autumn Broome alternate as Tim.
This year’s cast is typical of nearly every year — some new performers and several returnees, many indifferent roles.
It takes a village to cast the villagers in “A Christmas Carol” and once again, a strong cast is presenting this unique-to-Venice enchanting version of the classic tale.
Doug Landin is excellent in the role of Mr. Cratchit as are Emmett Kanapaux as Fred, Rich Murkowski as the other Charity, John Lemon as Marley/Old Joe, Cora Clinch as Young Fan/Children of Man and Cockney Boy; Callie Cowan as Mrs. Cratchit and Older Belle, Grace Cowan as Belinda and David Cowan as Alfred and one of the children of man.
The most magical role may be that of the Ghost of Christmas Past, played by Hanna Rose Randi, who “floats” onto the stage to add more magic to the story and its presentation.
Everyone in this large cast performed well. Add the magical setting provided by the tech team and director. It helps that cast and crew had such a wonderful variation of the classic story written by Charles Dickens in 1843.
Venice Theatre’s original musical version features an original book and lyrics by the late E. Susan Ott, with additional music by Scott Keys, Jason Brenner and Eli Schildkraut, a graduate of Pine View School.
Since then, he has graduated from the Berklee College of Music and worked on and off Broadway as a musician, assistant music director, music director and more. Remember his name. Even if you have already seen “A Christmas Carol” at another theater in the past or even this year, purchase a ticket for this show. It is that good.
While you are at it, add a bit extra to help fund the restoration of what has grown to more than $15 million in damages from Hurricane Ian. Insurance rarely covers hurricane damage, and unknown 1926-era building weaknesses led to some expensive surprises that no one could have known about until the stage was destroyed.
For tickets, visit VeniceTheatre.org. Tickets are $26 for adults and seniors, $22 for college and educators and $15 for youth. The address of the theater is 140 W. Tampa Ave. but this show is in the Raymond Center main stage in the building at the north end of the theater’s three-building campus and adjacent to the North Bridge to the island.
Enter from Tampa Avenue, opposite Luna Ristorante.
Photos by Renee McVety Photography