One of the unique aspects of being a regional theatre critic is I end up seeing the same shows repeatedly. This might annoy some people, but I really enjoy seeing the different takes productions have on the same material. My most commonly seen story is Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and my first version of the season came from Payson Community Theatre. It is a new adaptation done in house by Paul Cave and focuses on the religious themes of the novel and story.

It’s fascinating because I also saw A Christmas Carol at Parker Theatre and that version barely mentions the religious elements and magnifies the social themes and horror sequences. This PTC version is the reverse. High on religion, low on horror. Scrooge here seems barely scared by Jacob and the scene at the door with Jacob is zoomed over (where at Parker they extend it into multiple scenes.) I don’t know about you but I find these unique looks at the same story to be fascinating.

I do appreciate if they are going to emphasize the religious themes they are consistent throughout. When the benefactors are introduced Scrooge criticizes them as performing “Christian thievery.” We also have a theme of light throughout with Jacob saying he dimmed the light of those around him, Past warning Scrooge “it is one thing to dim the light on yourself. Another to dim it on others.” Fezziwig and Belle are characters of faith and sister Fran’s favorite hymn is “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” which is a carol referred to multiple times (it actually wasn’t written until 1863, 20 years after A Christmas Carol but that’s fine.) The characters in Present even refer to Dickens as “Reverend Dickens” and in present Tim sings “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman” which adds to his normal “God Bless us Everyone” mantra.

Fortunately the production doesn’t forget to have lighter moments to break up the solemnity. I particularly liked the device of Scrooge being annoyed by Christmas carolers. He literally refers to them as “the enemy” and has a sign saying ‘no carolers’ in his office. That’s a funny touch that made me laugh out loud. I also enjoyed the 2 gravediggers that begin and close out the story and the boisterous Present played by Calvin Kitchen.

The stage at Payson Jr High School is small but they stretch it out as far as they can having the graveyard jutting out on the left side. They also make the space work with doors and windows that are moved around and set-pieces that easily create different spaces like the office or Fezziwigs. I also enjoyed how Cave gave more of dynamic arcs for both Fran and Mrs Cratchit. There’s a lovely scene where Scrooge asks Mrs Cratchit (Melissa Hudson) if she can forgive him, which given the religious theme of the production is a nice element. Fran it turns out is the one who sends the ghosts because of her love for Scrooge, which while I love the idea that Jacob does it in the novel, it’s a sweet take on the sibling dynamic of the story. I also love that Scrooge’s normal pleading at the grave is at Tim’s tombstone not his own. What a clever take for A Christmas Carol.

I know I’ve talked the most about this adaptation and less about the production (which I usually don’t do) but there are tons of A Christmas Carols in Northern Utah this season and the adaptation is what makes PCT’s production most unique. If you are hoping for a show that focuses on the religious aspects of the story and holiday than you absolutely must see this.

The proceedings are directed by Perry Ewell and he has gotten the best possible performances out of his cast in the challenging space. Scrooge is played by BJ Harrison and he gets to some vulnerable moments- particularly, like I said, at the ending when he is pleading for forgiveness. Ace Ortiz is very cute as Tiny Tim and Simon Kirschman is an endearing Bob Cratchit. The only aspect that didn’t work for me is the classical music Cave chose for the production. It just felt out of place to have Mozart and other classical music pieces and not Christmas music. I also always forget to bring a seat cushion to PCT and those office chairs can be brutal after a couple of hours.

Other than that PCT’s Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is a wonderful adaptation that anyone looking for a spiritual boost this holiday season will enjoy. It is playing through Dec 8th and tickets can be purchased here.

Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol is adapted from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens by Paul Cave. This production at PCT is its premiere staging.

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