A scene from 'A Christmas Carol.' Loreta Arroyo, 9 Works Theatrical
There’s this bubbly boy with a crew cut in front of me, fidgeting in his seat, his parents beside him, absorbed on social media matters with their phones. He looked at me, raised his left hand and faintly said, “Hi, Merry Christmas.” I waved and smiled back, before his attention wandered off to other childish matters.
We’re at the Proscenium Theater and it’s a couple of minutes before the curtains opened for a Sunday matinee show of “A Christmas Carol” by 9 Works Theatrical.
It’s our second time to watch and unlike a week ago, during the special pre-opening show for the media, celebrity guests, influencers and VIPs, this time there were a lot of kids with their parents and yayas all over the 780-seat theater. The vibe was like a parent-teachers’ meeting combining kindergarten and grade school pupils and the children were in their usual uneasy behaviors, probably thinking of burgers and fries but Jollibee or McDonalds is in another building.
The voice of Ebenezer Scrooge was repeatedly played over the speakers, reminding everyone of theater etiquette, his sentences punctuated by, “Bah, humbug!”
The lights went off and the little boy in front of me complained, saying, “Why is it so dark? I’m scared!”
The live orchestra conducted by musical director Daniel Bartolome began playing the “Overture” by Alan Menken. Curtains up and we’re all transported in 19th century London and now, it’s a snowy Christmas Eve.
The church bells are heard in the opening scene as the cast members perform “Jolly Good Time.” The white bearded, old, grumpy miser Ebenezer Scrooge (played by Arnel Carrion) and his assistant, Bob Cratchit the clerk (John Joven Uy) are walking on the cold street, volleying off “Merry Christmas” greetings by the town folks, those who owe him money, the charity collectors, the poor people with his patented, “Christmas is a humbug” answer.
Social commentary
His attitude for the less fortunate is summed up when he told the charity collectors: “If [the poor] would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”
Charles Dickens’ novella was written as scathing social commentary against the ills of government during the Victorian era, when children were forced to work in factories in desolate conditions as the rich and powerful businessmen chose to remain oblivious of their plight. The first Industrial Revolution (1760-1830) that started in Great Britain was when being poor was, in a literal sense, a crime and they were imprisoned and forced to work. Dickens family was among them.
A scene from 'A Christmas Carol.' Loreta Arroyo, 9 Works Theatrical
Bob Cratchit’s son with a crippling illness, Tiny Tim (played by Enzo Dognidon and Jethro Ting), is described as, “the symbolic figure of hope in the musical,” and in some reviews, as the embodiment of Christ.
Despite being the overworked, underpaid employee, Bob Cratchit keeps his morality intact, choosing to remain a devoted husband and father, and loyal to Mr. Scrooge.
Most of us adults, or at least the middle-aged audience members, know the story as there have been film adaptations dating back to the silent era and many have entered the public domain. Watching a musical adaptation in a live theater enhances the experience and 9 Works Theatrical makes it a worthwhile weekend family-bonding treat.
Latest staging
It’s not the first time that the theater company behind this year’s “Liwanag Sa Dilim” and “The Bodyguard the Musical” staged this holiday musical. For two years, in 2016 and 2017, in partnership with Globe Live, they staged “A Christmas Carol” in an open-air stage in Bonifacio High Street in BGC, Taguig City.
Now, we are all comfortably seated in an air-conditioned theater and we could hear the live orchestra clearly.
The 2016 and 2017 iterations had the memorable performance of the late, great Miguel Faustmann as Scrooge. We can say, he simply owned the character and it seemed anyone after him maybe up for a bigger challenge.
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Carrion, with his tall, towering presence, gives Scrooge a fitting monster-like aura. He is a cold, old man, bitter about life in general.
Boo Gabunada recreates Jacob Marley, the former business partner and only friend of Mr. Scrooge, with vulnerability and equal flair as when he did his recent villainous role in “Liwanag Sa Dilim.”
A scene from 'A Christmas Carol.' Loreta Arroyo, 9 Works Theatrical
Franco Laurel played the Ghost of Christmas Past during the 2017 run at the Globe Amphitheater. He said in an earlier interview with ABS-CBN News that in reprising his role, the experience is as easy as learning how to ride a bike once again. The difference now is that he is with his children Mariella (as Mrs. Mops), Sofia and Lucia on stage. Mariella was part of the 2017 run and this is also the first time she is acting in professional theater with her siblings.
The Ghost of Christmas Past is usually portrayed as a jolly and cheerful fellow. In fact, in the 1938 classic black-and-white film by MGM, the Ghost is a beautiful woman, played by the luminous Ann Rutherford (“Gone With The Wind”). This time, Franco gives an engaging, party clown-like performance. No wonder, the children in the crowd love him.
Lorenz Martinez, a veteran of 9 Works Theatrical and Repertory Philippines productions, among others, shows his natural comedic chops as the Ghost of Christmas Present.
The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Be is usually pictured as some Gothic character clothed in black, hooded robe, almost like the Grim Reaper. Suffice it to say, this ghost tells the tragic fate of Mr. Scrooge and the other main characters. 9 Works Theatrical appropriately chose ballet and jazz dancer Carmelle Ros for the role and she gave us, especially for the children in the audience, a refreshing interpretation.
CJ Navato gives that cheerful vibe as the Young Ebenezer Scrooge, still full of hope and promise of a better future, while Nicole Omillo as Emily, the girlfriend of Scrooge when he was still a struggling young man, shows how at home she is now in doing musical theater.
Sense of wonder
Director Robbie Guevara earlier said this musical is really about the ensemble. “If there’s one thing this should be, it’s having this beautiful sense of wonder and joy,” he added.
True enough, after experiencing two shows with different types of crowds, I can say 9 Works Theatrical has just given audiences of all ages more happy moments inside the theater in this season of familial love and gratitude, something the Mr. Scrooge realizes before it’s too late.
A scene from 'A Christmas Carol.' Loreta Arroyo, 9 Works Theatrical
Oh, the boy in front of me looked like he immensely enjoyed his first musical theater experience. He was steady and clapping in his seat. It was the parents this time who were seemingly uneasy, checking their phones at some point. Not only them but other parents within my line of sight. The ushers at the back have never been busy with their blue laser pointers.
At least their kids were having the best times in their young life. And they are the future audience.
Because in the end, we’re all just like kids looking forward to a warm, happy Christmas celebration with our family and loved ones. If we choose to spend it all alone, not lonely, at least we’re still thankful we won’t spend it in prison or dealing with perpetual anxiety like those greedy and corrupt people in the news.
“A Christmas Carol” runs all weekends until December 21 at 7:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, at the Proscenium Theater, Rockwell Center in Makati City.