Inspecting Carol – A Humorous Spin on Christmas
Scrooge. Mr. Cratchit. A sombrero-wearing ghost? Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” enjoyed an update of sorts with the Melon Patch Theater’s performance of their Christmas production, “Inspecting Carol.”
This version of “A Christmas Carol” takes place behind the scenes of a struggling local theater as the actors prepare to perform the Christmas tale for the umpteenth time over a more than 10 years period. Each year’s performance has brought its own drama among the cast members, from Scrooge reciting his lines in Spanish to a lead actor’s ”death” after reading a critic’s review.
To add to the stress and anxiety of the performance, the art guild providing the grant for the theater is sending an inspector to determine whether the grant will continue to be given to the group or not.
The theater’s board member and director, Zora Bloch (Robyn Sennott), tries to keep a level head on the matter and keep her misfit group (and herself) sane enough to put on an amazing performance for the audiences and inspector. She also attempts to keep tabs on the actions of the supposed inspector, a would-be actor (Andre Provencher) who stumbles upon the group while on a cross-city trip auditioning for local theaters.
Soon Zora allows the actor, Wayne, to take charge of the play, changing blocking and making adjustments to the script. This prompts mixed outbursts of joy and confusion from the cast members, especially Scrooge/Larry Vauzhall (Rick Breese) who combines some of his own wacky script changes with Wayne’s as well.
Needless to say the finale of the play, the actual performance of “A Christmas Carol,” is one that will be remembered by the cast, crew and inspector for years to come.
Typically with an ensemble cast, there can be actors that take over others’ performances or there is a lack of connection between the actors. Not the case for “Inspecting Carol” as the cast all fed off each other’s energy and seemed to all really grasp their characters. Every member seemed to have their own moment in the spotlight or joke that sent the audience into fits of hysteria.
Those that brought out the best of the script though were the leading men of the cast, those that portrayed the hilarious characters of Larry, Sidney (Hank Delorme), Phil (Brendon Rodgers), Walter (Victor Cruz) and Wayne. The script, combined with clever blocking from director Bill Welter, encouraged these talented actors to give their all to the roles and encouraged the others to do the same.
It may not be your mom’s “Christmas Carol” and may not be as overly outrageous as Bill Murray’s “Scrooged,” but “Inspecting Carol” should be on your list of things to see to celebrate the season, right behind candlelight services at your church and looking at Christmas lights.
The play ends this upcoming Sunday, so see it this weekend or bah humbug to you!
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