"Christmas Carol'd" at Performance Network puts new spin on the classic
“I’m someone who really gets into Christmas,” said Zettelmaier. “I’m the guy who waits to go Christmas shopping until close to Christmas Eve, because I love the hustle and bustle, I love the lights and the decorations, and I love what the holidays bring out in people.”
Like road rage? Wait, that’s just a reporter’s inner Scrooge talking — a tendency that’s wholly relevant to Performance Network’s new take on Dickens’ old tale, “Christmas Carol’d.”
Actor John Seibert, who previously appeared as Scrooge in the Network's production of “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol,” dons the scowl and nightcap once again in Zettelmaier’s “Carol’d” adaptation, alongside four other actors. Seibert also played the character in a fundraising reading at the Network last December, so director David Wolber and Zettelmaier had him in mind throughout the adaptation process.
“Part of the reason I’m drawn to John’s take on Scrooge is that he’s less of a caricature,” said Wolber. “We all have Scrooge in us, and I think (Seibert’s) journey and portrayal of that is accessible, and lets us realize that we’re more like Scrooge than we like to think. He’s not just an ogre that turns into a nice guy, like he is in a lot of versions.”
Last December’s reading of “Carol” inspired the Network to pursue a new adaptation, and Zettelmaier, who’d also performed in the reading, landed the gig. This led to him drawing the curtains and blasting Christmas music while working on the script this past summer.
“When (Zettelmaier and I) were looking at the original text, we were both struck by how much of Dickens’ voice is completely left out of play,” said Wolber. “When it’s turned into play, they often just keep the dialogue.”
For this reason, Zettelmaier tried to re-establish a link to the original story’s language, as well as highlight some moments that aren’t normally depicted in stage versions of “Carol.” But these aren’t the only elements that make “Carol’d” distinct.
“The fun thing is, there are things that Dickens hints at but doesn’t go into, and I decided to go into them,” said Zettelmaier. “In the book, you don’t know why Scrooge became Scrooge. He just is that way. So I thought, why don’t we see how he became this man?”
Wolber confesses that the Network has taken calls from patrons who want to know why they should see yet another take on Dickens’ tale.
“Our version … is not like the Disney film version that’s out right now, with lots of bells and whistles,” said Wolber. “It’s a low-tech theater version about the heart of the story, and 5 actors taking on 40 roles, with a theatricality that’s fun and fast-paced.”
There might be more laughs than you might expect, too, since Zettelmaier calls Seibert “one of the funniest actors I’ve ever worked with.”
“Even his scowl makes me laugh,” said Zettelmaier. “To paraphrase something (local lighting and set designer) Dan Walker said after seeing ‘Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol,’ leave it to John Seibert to find a new way to say, ‘Bah, Humbug.’”
PREVIEW “Christmas Carol’d” Who: Performance Network. What: Local playwright Joseph Zettelmaier’s new stage adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic story, which uses only five actors in the telling. Where: 120 East Huron Street. When: Thursday-Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 3 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m., November 19-December 27 (preview performances run November 19-26). How much: $27-$41. Info: 734-663-0681 or the Performance Network web site.
Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.
Comments
O'sullivan
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 : 11:46 a.m.
Wonderful! The timeless "Dickens" tale performed to perfection with the original story changed by only the slightest degree; the writer / director added just enough humor to warm and cheer the heart of any youngster from eight to eighty. The performance by the actors and actresses was superb. My only disappointment was the physical absence of "Death." I would recommend the play to any "Christmas Carol" fan. Don't let yourself be deceived by the added "d" to "Carol." Philip
Lynch Travis
Fri, Nov 20, 2009 : 5:18 a.m.
I'm the person who was on the lobby ad for Fences. Rusty, it may seem like folks are piling on, but we need to help you understand the theater scene. Performance Network is a professional theater company operating under an agreement with Actors' Equity Association, the union for professional theater actors in this country. As such, it must employ professional actors, who have earned their union card in the majority of the offered roles. That means a show at Perf Net will be performed by professionals who earn their roles by dint of competitive auditions, demonstrated past acting accomplishments and just sheer hard work. The actors, director and designers of Fences, as well as the folks involved in the Christmas Carol project are highly repected, award winning artists. In addition our work is generally evaluated not just by our director and producers, but by professional journalists, aka critics. I will caution you that theater reviews of the same performance can vary, but at Perf Net and other union shops, there are usually a range of reviews to look through. For Fences, Perf Net also displayed the 4 star review rating received from the Detroit Free Press, so at least one major critic thought it was pretty good. Finally, Perf Net has its subscribers vote on their productions, which is my mind the ultimate test. They are the ones that shell out the money for those ticket prices you mentioned. If you ask them, Fences was well the bomb., winning Best Play, Best Lead Actor and Best Supporting Actor. So you can't always judge a book by its color. Don't miss out on the great art based in AA, at Perf Net, Blackbird, the Purple Rose, etc. Our work stands up to work any where in this country.
Lynch Travis
Fri, Nov 20, 2009 : 5:16 a.m.
I'm the person who was on the lobby ad for Fences. Rusty, it may seem like folks are piling on, but we need to help you understand the theater scene. Performance Network is a professional theater company operating under an agreement with Actors' Equity Association, the union for professional theater actors in this country. As such, it must employ professional actors, who have earned their union card in the majority of the offered roles. That means a show at Perf Net will be performed by professionals who earn their roles by dint of competitive auditions, demonstrated past acting accomplishments and just sheer hard work. The actors, director and designers of Fences, as well as the folks involved in the Christmas Carol project are highly repected, award winning artists. In addition our work is generally evaluated not just by our director and producers, but by professional journalists, aka critics. I will caution you that theater reviews of the same performance can vary, but at Perf Net and other union shops, there are usually a range of reviews to look through. For Fences, Perf Net also displayed the 4 star review rating received from the Detroit Free Press, so at least one major critic thought it was pretty good. Finally, Perf Net has its subscribers vote on their productions, which is my mind the ultimate test. They are the ones that shell out the money for those ticket prices you mentioned. If you ask them, Fences was well the bomb., winning Best Play, Best Lead Actor and Best Supporting Actor. So you can't always judge a book by its color. Don't miss out on the great art based in AA, at Perf Net, Blackbird, the Purple Rose, etc. Our work stands up to work any where in this country.
Marty Smith
Fri, Nov 20, 2009 : 2:28 a.m.
Hey, Rusty. I have a hard time taking seriously the comments of people who hide behind phony screen names. As to content, an ad is an ad, and a show is a show. Not the same thing. I wonder if you've ever attended a professional play production. It's quite something. You ought to try it.
Phil Powers
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 11:37 p.m.
I have a hard time understanding the logic behind not seeing a piece of theatre because you don't like the poster. "Rusty" isn't going to see "Christmas Carol'd" because the advertisement for the show actually dissuaded him. He was set to go and see it, but a picture of this adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale has returned his wallet to his pocket, too financially risky a venture for him. No "Rusty", there is no sanity clause. Performance Network hasn't won a majority of the Detroit Theatre Awards for the past six years for advertising. They won it for their productions, productions that were staged by professional actors from within the state. It's a shame you didn't see "Fences", "Rusty", I saw it and thought it was really very good. There's a lot of pollution in the air, "Rusty", but you still have to breathe to live.
kpaulm
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 7:52 p.m.
Isn't "Rusty Shackelford" the fake-name used by the character Dale Gribble on King of the Hill? Hmmmm...
Carla Milarch
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 : 11:52 a.m.
Hi Rusty! Thanks for your feedback. I wanted to let you know that Performance Network has a variety of discounts that are available, including a pay-what-you-can preview (which is tonight!) where you can name your own ticket price. We also have the Target family series for Christmas Carol'd where a family of four can purchase a package for just $40. In addition, we offer a student rush, and preview tickets for $20. You can find more information on our prices at www.performancenetwork.org As for the marketing, well - I wanted you to know that we are working on making improvements in that department as well. We are the most award-winning theatre in Michigan, routinely garnering critical acclaim and numerous awards, and we want our marketing to reflect that. I'd love to hear any more specifics you have on the matter. If you'd be willing to have an offline dialogue on this, you can reach me at carla@performancenetwork.org Happy Holidays!