Theater Review – November 29, 2025

TPTC BRINGS BACK POPULAR “A CHRISTMAS CAROL” IN A SPIFFY REVITALIZED STAGING

“A Christmas Carol”
The Phoenix Theatre Company, Dr. Stacie J. and Richard J. Stephenson Theatre
Phoenix AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Until Actors Theatre of Phoenix closed in 2010, they mounted “A Christmas Carol” each holiday season. The popular and successful attraction became part of many family celebrations.

After the company’s demise, the production disappeared but The Phoenix Theatre Company (TPTC) decided to bring the local tradition back in a refreshed staging in TPTC’s beautiful new Stephenson Theatre. TPTC also brought back Actors Theatre’s Matthew Wiener to recreate and revise his famous staging along with several local performers who played in the earlier staging. The result is the glorious return of the production in what we can hope will again become an annual part of our local holiday theater happenings.

The familiar Charles Dickens tale about the gruff and miserly Scrooge’s miraculous transformation into a Christmas cheerleader after he experiences some rough trips through past seasons; those painful revelations contribute to his rewarding conversion. The late Alan Ruch’s pleasant original score plus some classic holiday tunes cleverly interwoven are wonderful to hear again.  The novel story approach which trims many details from Dickens’ source by adapters Michael Grady and Wiener has also been reinvigorated.

It all couldn’t be better. As Ebenezer Scrooge, popular local performer Rusty Ferracane tackles a very different type of role and does it with a “bah humbugging” flourish. He starts inward and is unwilling to credit anyone until the end when he becomes a jubilant celebrant of the Yule season. Matravius Avent is the ever-optimistic Bob Cratchit while Kendrick Stallings is the mindful nephew, Fred, who never fails to invite his uncle to Christmas festivities only to be shocked when Scrooge finally shows up to party.

Johanna Carlisle-Zepeda sparkles as the Ghost of Christmas Past who successfully begins Scrooge’s transformation and Geoff Belliston is a blustery Ghost of Christmas Present. Dominic Montufar evolves touchingly as Tiny Tim, and a large cast shines in the many supporting roles that contribute to Scrooge’s sparkling rebirth.

Historically flowing costumes and fast-moving sets enhance the staging as do Craig Bohmler’s sharp orchestrations and music director Kevin Robert White who turns the musical numbers into splashy holiday magic.

If there’s a problem at all, it is the pre-show recorded musical selections which do not fit the show’s time period.  A small and easily changeable point.

It’s great to have our local holiday theater tradition “A Christmas Carol” back in a spiffy new production. It continues through December 28. To order tickets, call The Phoenix Theatre Company box office at 602-254-2151 or order tickets online at www.phoenixtheatre.com.

Grade: A