A Christmas Carol
at San Clemente

Reviewed on December 4, 2015

Alexander Trevisan
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Register

San Clemente's "A Christmas Carol" transcends time

Alexander Trevisan is a junior at Tesoro High School in Las Flores

In 18th century London, people are freezing and the poor need donations to stay alive. When a group of volunteers come to collect donations, a crotchety old man by the name of Scrooge quickly declines. However, his greedy penny-pinching ways soon get the best of him as he is taken through time to learn the true meaning of Christmas spirit.

With eccentric ghosts, pompous elites, grungy criminals, and a tight-knit family of middle-class citizens, San Clemente's "A Christmas Carol" brings new life to the old, classic tale.

Scrooge (Jonathan Jackson) is first found bent over his desk at the counting house. As he scolds Mr. Cratchit for trying to add coal to the fire, his scowl and gruff voice reflect the hardened side of his character. It isn't long until he returns home, where he is visited by Jacob Marley. After the ghosts teach him his lesson, Scrooge's harsh tone and grumpy expression turn into feelings of hope and joy. Scrooge takes leaps and bounds across stage, soon regretting the actions in his old age, but continues to become a more generous, thoughtful person.

The Ghost of Christmas Past (Danielle Dimarco) flies in to take Scrooge on his journey. Her light, airy gestures and childlike smile help to establish the most innocent and caring of the three ghosts. Bouncing along the stage, both her lit-up dress and radiant personality help to light up the room.

To bring him on the next leg of his adventure, the Ghost of Christmas Present (Katie McGowan) appears. Her tall stature, elevated by stilts, and booming voice command the stage. As she weakens toward the end of present-day Christmas, her jovial and booming voice soon turns dismal and weary.

Costumes (designed by Sophia George and Baily Donlin) help to bring the piece to life. The dress of Christmas Past, lit in a manner reminiscent of a Christmas tree, and the gown of Christmas present, a flowing robe extended for the added height, both fit their characters and add a new interpretation to the piece.

Put together, the backstage magic of tech and onstage portrayals of actors come together to portray the beloved tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge and his journey into becoming an enlightened man, one with a penny for the poor and a heart for all.

Alexander Trevisan
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Register

San Clemente's "A Christmas Carol" transcends time

Alexander Trevisan is a junior at Tesoro High School in Las Flores

In 18th century London, people are freezing and the poor need donations to stay alive. When a group of volunteers come to collect donations, a crotchety old man by the name of Scrooge quickly declines. However, his greedy penny-pinching ways soon get the best of him as he is taken through time to learn the true meaning of Christmas spirit.

With eccentric ghosts, pompous elites, grungy criminals, and a tight-knit family of middle-class citizens, San Clemente's "A Christmas Carol" brings new life to the old, classic tale.

Scrooge (Jonathan Jackson) is first found bent over his desk at the counting house. As he scolds Mr. Cratchit for trying to add coal to the fire, his scowl and gruff voice reflect the hardened side of his character. It isn't long until he returns home, where he is visited by Jacob Marley. After the ghosts teach him his lesson, Scrooge's harsh tone and grumpy expression turn into feelings of hope and joy. Scrooge takes leaps and bounds across stage, soon regretting the actions in his old age, but continues to become a more generous, thoughtful person.

The Ghost of Christmas Past (Danielle Dimarco) flies in to take Scrooge on his journey. Her light, airy gestures and childlike smile help to establish the most innocent and caring of the three ghosts. Bouncing along the stage, both her lit-up dress and radiant personality help to light up the room.

To bring him on the next leg of his adventure, the Ghost of Christmas Present (Katie McGowan) appears. Her tall stature, elevated by stilts, and booming voice command the stage. As she weakens toward the end of present-day Christmas, her jovial and booming voice soon turns dismal and weary.

Costumes (designed by Sophia George and Baily Donlin) help to bring the piece to life. The dress of Christmas Past, lit in a manner reminiscent of a Christmas tree, and the gown of Christmas present, a flowing robe extended for the added height, both fit their characters and add a new interpretation to the piece.

Put together, the backstage magic of tech and onstage portrayals of actors come together to portray the beloved tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge and his journey into becoming an enlightened man, one with a penny for the poor and a heart for all.

Claudia Mansoory
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Register

San Clemente's ‘Christmas Carol' is a gift

Claudia Mansoory is a senior at Tesoro High School in Las Flores

Ebenezer Scrooge begins his day like any other. He goes to work, berates his underpaid clerk, and finally returns home, ready to retire after another long day of grouchiness. But tonight, he won't be sleeping. With engaging performances and dramatic flair, San Clemente High School delivers the classic story of "A Christmas Carol", sharing how Scrooge's life is forever changed after eerie visits from three spooky spirits in the night.

Jonathan Jackson is crotchety and cynical as Scrooge, the irritable protagonist. Hunching his back and walking with a low shuffle, he clearly embodies his elderly character and dons a deep, gravely voice with which he barks orders at his nervous clerk. When approached by the first ghostly apparition, Jackson falls to his knees, hands shaking and arms raised upward in defense. After his transformation, he walks with a jaunty bound, visibly becoming a new man.

Danielle Dimarco as Spirit of Christmas Past contrasts Jackson's sluggish demeanor with a smooth confidence that illuminates the stage. She establishes her whimsical character by entering through Scrooge's window with a wide flourish of her glittering gold cape. Overflowing with energy, Dimarco continually excites with her clear voice and wide eyes.

Luke Giannelli and Tamara Armstrong form a delightful duo as Young Adult Scrooge and Belle, respectively. The two meet at a party when, after exchanging shy glances, they bump into each other and engage in a lively dance. Through the steps and kicks, she smiles and blushes, slowly putting a small, solitary smile on Giannelli's face. Armstrong later shows her character's depth as she paces with furrowed brows through a sinister graveyard, discussing her relationship with Scrooge.

With a towering stature and wide smile, Katie McGowan delivers a standout performance as the Spirit of Christmas Present. With her booming voice, vibrant facial expressions, and swirling wrist movements she remains the center of attention, even when she brings Scrooge to a large family's Christmas gathering.

Costume crew, led by Sophia George and Baily Donlin, crafts costumes that are time appropriate and fitting to each character. Dimarco's lively character wears a long, white skirt draped in tiny yellow lights which add to her illusion of otherworldly glow, while McGowan is given an ethereal air by tall stilts hidden under her skirt.

With enthusiasm and toil, San Clemente shares the powerful story of self-revelation that is "A Christmas Carol".

Claudia Mansoory
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Register

San Clemente's ‘Christmas Carol' is a gift

Claudia Mansoory is a senior at Tesoro High School in Las Flores

Ebenezer Scrooge begins his day like any other. He goes to work, berates his underpaid clerk, and finally returns home, ready to retire after another long day of grouchiness. But tonight, he won't be sleeping. With engaging performances and dramatic flair, San Clemente High School delivers the classic story of "A Christmas Carol", sharing how Scrooge's life is forever changed after eerie visits from three spooky spirits in the night.

Jonathan Jackson is crotchety and cynical as Scrooge, the irritable protagonist. Hunching his back and walking with a low shuffle, he clearly embodies his elderly character and dons a deep, gravely voice with which he barks orders at his nervous clerk. When approached by the first ghostly apparition, Jackson falls to his knees, hands shaking and arms raised upward in defense. After his transformation, he walks with a jaunty bound, visibly becoming a new man.

Danielle Dimarco as Spirit of Christmas Past contrasts Jackson's sluggish demeanor with a smooth confidence that illuminates the stage. She establishes her whimsical character by entering through Scrooge's window with a wide flourish of her glittering gold cape. Overflowing with energy, Dimarco continually excites with her clear voice and wide eyes.

Luke Giannelli and Tamara Armstrong form a delightful duo as Young Adult Scrooge and Belle, respectively. The two meet at a party when, after exchanging shy glances, they bump into each other and engage in a lively dance. Through the steps and kicks, she smiles and blushes, slowly putting a small, solitary smile on Giannelli's face. Armstrong later shows her character's depth as she paces with furrowed brows through a sinister graveyard, discussing her relationship with Scrooge.

With a towering stature and wide smile, Katie McGowan delivers a standout performance as the Spirit of Christmas Present. With her booming voice, vibrant facial expressions, and swirling wrist movements she remains the center of attention, even when she brings Scrooge to a large family's Christmas gathering.

Costume crew, led by Sophia George and Baily Donlin, crafts costumes that are time appropriate and fitting to each character. Dimarco's lively character wears a long, white skirt draped in tiny yellow lights which add to her illusion of otherworldly glow, while McGowan is given an ethereal air by tall stilts hidden under her skirt.

With enthusiasm and toil, San Clemente shares the powerful story of self-revelation that is "A Christmas Carol".

Sharon Chen
Fountain Valley
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Nostalgic, wonderful, describes San Clemente's ‘Christmas Carol'

Sharon Chen is a sophomore at Fountain Valley High School

Christmas time is universally known as the holiday of good cheer, where families gather by the fireplace and drink hot apple cider with their loved ones. However, for the greedy and cold-hearted accountant Ebeneezer Scrooge (of Charles Dickens' beloved classic, A Christmas Carol), Christmas is the time when families gather together over useless conversations of joy instead of working for their hard-earned surplus of money. That is, until he encounters three spirits- the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future, who attempt to lead the grumpy elder to different visions of his life, urging him to see the importances of joy and happiness.

Jonathan Jackson impeccably plays the pessimistic Scrooge, hunching his back and rasping out Scrooge's infamous line of "Bah, humbug" with an occasional grunt to indicate Scrooge's crabbiness. In contrast to the cynical personality of Scrooge, Josh Pavlis portrays the sentimental clerk, Bob Cratchit. Where Jackson depicts his character as uptight and a workaholic, Pavlis portrays his as a paternal "family-man," whose sincerity and compassion is evident through his sorrowful sobs upon the news of his crippled son's death.

As the messenger-spirit who first warns Scrooge of his bitter fate if he continues to avoid the prospect of joy, Daniel Klevit triumphs as earthbound Jacob Marley, highlighting the desperateness of his character through his consistent chain-rattling and urgent intonation of his voice as he persuades Scrooge to become more open-hearted. Moreover, as the spirit of Christmas present, Katie McGowan is comedic as she mimics the actions of other characters during the party scene's wine-toast and game of "Yes or No." Along with the comedic element, Luke Giannelli and Tamara Armstrong (as young Scrooge and his lover, Belle, respectively) provide great and sincere romance during their brief dance at a party.

The multiple spotlights (accredited to Annie Reyland) spectacularly showcase the teleportation of the spirits as they glide across the stage, dimming one area of the stage while casting the other in bright light. Moreover, the costume design (Baily Donlin and Sophia George) meticulously don the spirit of Christmas past in bright yellow, reflecting her jubilant personality.

San Clemente's adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" not only epitomizes the meaning of joy and family during Christmastime, but also provides a heart-warming and splendid treat to begin this holiday season.

Sharon Chen
Fountain Valley
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Nostalgic, wonderful, describes San Clemente's ‘Christmas Carol'

Sharon Chen is a sophomore at Fountain Valley High School

Christmas time is universally known as the holiday of good cheer, where families gather by the fireplace and drink hot apple cider with their loved ones. However, for the greedy and cold-hearted accountant Ebeneezer Scrooge (of Charles Dickens' beloved classic, A Christmas Carol), Christmas is the time when families gather together over useless conversations of joy instead of working for their hard-earned surplus of money. That is, until he encounters three spirits- the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future, who attempt to lead the grumpy elder to different visions of his life, urging him to see the importances of joy and happiness.

Jonathan Jackson impeccably plays the pessimistic Scrooge, hunching his back and rasping out Scrooge's infamous line of "Bah, humbug" with an occasional grunt to indicate Scrooge's crabbiness. In contrast to the cynical personality of Scrooge, Josh Pavlis portrays the sentimental clerk, Bob Cratchit. Where Jackson depicts his character as uptight and a workaholic, Pavlis portrays his as a paternal "family-man," whose sincerity and compassion is evident through his sorrowful sobs upon the news of his crippled son's death.

As the messenger-spirit who first warns Scrooge of his bitter fate if he continues to avoid the prospect of joy, Daniel Klevit triumphs as earthbound Jacob Marley, highlighting the desperateness of his character through his consistent chain-rattling and urgent intonation of his voice as he persuades Scrooge to become more open-hearted. Moreover, as the spirit of Christmas present, Katie McGowan is comedic as she mimics the actions of other characters during the party scene's wine-toast and game of "Yes or No." Along with the comedic element, Luke Giannelli and Tamara Armstrong (as young Scrooge and his lover, Belle, respectively) provide great and sincere romance during their brief dance at a party.

The multiple spotlights (accredited to Annie Reyland) spectacularly showcase the teleportation of the spirits as they glide across the stage, dimming one area of the stage while casting the other in bright light. Moreover, the costume design (Baily Donlin and Sophia George) meticulously don the spirit of Christmas past in bright yellow, reflecting her jubilant personality.

San Clemente's adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" not only epitomizes the meaning of joy and family during Christmastime, but also provides a heart-warming and splendid treat to begin this holiday season.