Reno Little Theater revisits a classic holiday favorite with “A Christmas Carol.” But this is a bit different from what you’ve seen before. There is singing, audience participation, candy, and all of this with only three actors playing almost all the roles.

~Review and Photos by Dana Nöllsch~

“A Christmas Carol” The Story

You know the story, you may have read the novel, and I am sure you’ve seen a movie or a play telling the story of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. But this holiday season, Reno Little Theater is presenting its audience with the adaptation by Sam Kebede (pronounced Jam). Kebede is a first-generation American whose parents are from Ethiopia, and he is a well-accomplished writer, actor, and comedian.

In this adaptation, only three actors play nearly all the roles. If this sounds like these actors are very busy, well, you are right, they are very busy. But never fear, when they are in need of an extra actor to play a role, they head into the audience and pick somebody to come on stage, and this is brilliantly fun. The night that I saw the production, they pulled Dave Santina from PBS to go on stage and play Tiny Tim. Well done, Dave!

The story of redemption remains true to the book: a grumpy, successful man, Scrooge, played by Judy Davis Rounds, finds joy in the holiday season with the help of three ghostly figures, representing the past, present, and future. These specters take Scrooge on a journey in the early hours of Christmas morning to show him the errors of his ways.

The writing is tight and downright delightful; Kebede brings a fun new life to an oft-told tale.

Here are some photos to give you a taste of “A Christmas Carol”

The Performances

The actors are bubbly and fun, and that is the theme for the performances, with the notable exception of Scrooge, who is, well, grumpy.

Judy Davis Rounds, who plays Scrooge, is uncanny in her makeup and embodies the character of Scrooge wonderfully. We see Scrooge’s transformation from single-minded grump to a more open-minded person who feels hopeful for the future. Rounds will be playing Scrooge in all the performances.

As for the other two actors, Kristina Charpentier and Jessica Johnson, their performances are highly energetic and fun. These two actors come out before the show, entertaining the audience as reindeer, and then they take on role after role brilliantly as the show moves forward. They are a lot of fun to watch.

Now, there are two casts, with the exception of Judy Davis Rounds, each cast playing on alternate weekends.

I would be remiss not to mention the director, Liliana Abel-Suarez, who handles so much action and costume changes with such skill. Suarez brings these highly energetic and quick moments together seamlessly, so that the audience never feels a pause in the action. The blending of the characters’ personalities feels natural and unforced.

The Bottom Line

During this holiday season, we all need a little cheer. A Christmas Carol has definitely been a staple for holiday entertainment, and Reno Little Theater’s production will bring joy to you and your family. This is a play that you want to pack up the children, grandchildren, and even your parents into the family truckster and have an evening of laughs, joy, and family bonding.

A Christmas Carol