Paul Ford

This is an adaptation by the director, David Richard Jones, but every word comes directly from the Dickens story. It's cut down to one act, 90 minutes, but nothing is missing. The actors both play their roles and describe what's happening, using British accents for their characters and American accents for the narration. It flows smoothly.

Except for the very good costuming by Carolyn Hogan, this is a bare bones production. The "set" consists solely of a big box that is wheeled on and off stage, and contains a few surprises. The lighting by Andrew McHarney is effective in setting various moods. The emphasis is on the language and the actors, not special effects. No stagecraft tricks, no flying spirits, no bed curtains, not even a goose. At times I could have used a little more color, some spectacle, a few more chills up my spine, since an hour and a half of Dickensian verbiage can get a little soporific, but on the whole it works very well.

Who doesn't know the story by now? It's part of our cultural DNA. Local theater luminary Paul Ford dons the role of old Ebenezer, and apart from some actory stuff he does with his fingers, is a very fine Scrooge. His delivery of "Bah, humbug!" is the best I've ever heard.

There are nine other cast members playing multiple roles, and they are excellent, every one. Youngsters Karla Iniguez, Mackenzie Jarrell, and Matthew Tyrrell are remarkably poised on stage already. Phil Shortell gets to stand tall (on stilts) and Scottish as the Ghost of Christmas Present, and is an excellent Marley's Ghost, too. Lorri Oliver is a luminous Ghost of Christmas Past but even better as the exasperated Mrs. Cratchit. Keep your eyes on the rubber-faced Ed Chavez, not only when he is Bob Cratchit but also when he does his brief but hilarious upper-class English twit thing. Rounding out the cast are Paul Rodriguez, Timothy Kupjack, and Tina Andrews, all of whom do very good work.

There are several old carols sung a cappella by everyone (the music director is Casey Mraz) and some of the subsequent verses (that is, not the familiar ones) seem particularly appropriate for the story, but since it's the first time most of us have heard them, it would be helpful to have had them sung more than once throughout the play.

David Richard Jones directs efficiently, no time wasted, elicits fine performances, and does a very good job on the adaptation. Certain things I had forgotten or was never aware of before made an impression this time, like Scrooge seeing Marley's face in each of the Dutch tiles on his fireplace, or how "dead as a doornail" should more appropriately be "dead as a coffin nail." There's always something new to notice, even in familiar pieces. Just as the music of The Nutcracker never gets old, Dickens' Christmas Carol never wears out its welcome.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, adapted and directed by David Richard Jones, is being presented at the Vortex Theatre in Albuquerque through December 21, 2014. The Vortex's new location is 2900 Carlisle NE, a few blocks north of Menaul. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30, Sundays at 2:00. Tickets are $22 general (some discounts are available) and $15 students. Thursday shows are $12. Info at www.vortexabq.org or 505-247-8600.

Photo: Alan Mitchell

--Dean Yannias