A Christmas Carol
at Yorba Linda

Reviewed on December 2, 2017

Emi Nishida
University
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Yorba Linda's Spooky Spectacle of "A Christmas Carol"

Three wise ghosts, a joyous holiday and a bitter old man are the typical elements of the Charles Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol". With adept actors and talented technicians, Yorba Linda's ghost tale take on the well-known Christmas story is haunting and heartfelt, posing the question so frequently contemplated around the holidays- what is the true meaning of Christmas?

Cooper Summers perfectly portrays the complex, bitter Ebenezer Scrooge. Pained by memories of his own difficult childhood, Scrooge's mind is engulfed in immense avarice, which Summers shows through disgusted facial expressions towards orphans and women collecting for the poor and repulsed cries of "Bah, Humbug!" After visits from the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, however, Scrooge entirely changes his outlook, indicated through shifts in tone from curt to child-like, and posture from hunched to open.

Juxtaposing Scrooge for the majority of the play is Bob Cratchit (Ian Dembek). Mr. Cratchit is generous and giving despite his family not having much to spare, a personality strikingly different from Scrooge's. Dembek skillfully acts with emotion throughout the play, most notably reading with a shaky, fragile voice by his son's bedside after his untimely death and sobbing into his hands over his family's loss.

Fan, Scrooge's doting older sister, is wonderfully played by Kaitlyn Kraack. Kraack's affectionate voice is full of expression and joy when talking to young Scrooge (Karson Bollinger). Her welcoming, warm presence helps to demonstrate why she is so beloved to Scrooge.

The entire cast does an excellent job making their challenging accents believable and unwavering throughout the show. Group scenes among families are superb in creating convincing atmospheres and appear natural and real.

Hair design by Jacqueline Lembesis is beautiful and true to the 1840s time period. Young girls are adorned in simple styles including double braids, while women wear updos, which clearly distinguishes people of different ages. White and gray hairspray is also implemented to communicate older age.

Much of the creativity behind this play is due to the fantastic student Assistant Director, Julia Massey. Massey contributed to the production process by selecting the scores, choreographing most of the blocking, and suggesting dry ice to create fog, representing a dreamlike setting as Scrooge travels to different Christmases. These creative choices effectively communicate messages of the story and make this particular production unique.

A memorable masterpiece, Yorba Linda's "A Christmas Carol" reminds that to be giving and kind is most important. Whether rich or poor, "God bless us- everyone."

Katie Alexander
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Christmas comes early at Yorba Linda
written by Katie Alexander, a senior at Tesoro High School

Christmas spirit takes on a new meaning in Yorba Linda High School's chilling production of "A Christmas Carol." When three ghostly apparitions visit the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, a story of lost love, stubborn greed, and eventual compassion unfurls.

Hobbling across the stage is Cooper Summers as the cantankerous Mr. Scrooge. Summers fully embodies Scrooge's curmudgeonly demeanor as he stoops over a desk full of papers and angrily murmurs to himself. Becoming more self-aware throughout the show, his shoulders open up and his facial expressions soften. In completing his character's full transformation, Summers wears a cheery smile by the end of the show as he clumsily skips to grab some money for a small boy.

Marco Gazich as the genial Fred meets Scrooge's negativity with a warm grin and a gentle tone. Fred calmly picks up the gift Scrooge throws to the ground, continuing to smile kindly and wishing him a merry Christmas as he strolls offstage.

Choosing her movements carefully is Nicole Stewart playing the angelic Ghost of Christmas Past. By speaking with long vowel sounds and gracefully gliding from place to place, Stewart enforces her ethereal presence. Standing tall, she slowly raises one arm to point out Scrooge's younger self, keeping the other at her side with unflinching rigidity. Her perfect posture juxtaposed with Scrooge's arched back creates the perfect visual foil.

With a deep, rich vocal tonality, Riley Pietenpol as the majestic Ghost of Christmas Present brings in a refreshing energy. Upon entering, he comedically hovers above the sleeping Scrooge until he wakes up with frightened haste. When the two visit Fred's party where a group of guests mock Scrooge's personality, Pietenpol lets out a hearty chuckle, creating a moment of sympathy for Scrooge.

Both the admirable stage management under Maggie Pell and the exemplary collaboration of the stage crew made up of actors help the show run fluidly. Pell calls a number of lighting and sound cues, each one perfectly timed. When Scrooge enters his house, the crew changes the set from outside his door to his living room in a matter of seconds. Working in dim lighting, they all move with ease and flair to preserve the enchanting ambiance.

With sophisticated finesse in both acting and technical aspects, Yorba Linda High School's "A Christmas Carol" revives a timeless classic.

Natalie Patrick
Mission Viejo
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Yorba Linda is Spirited in "A Christmas Carol"
written by Natalie Patrick, a senior at Mission Viejo High School

Yorba Linda's chilling production of the timeless ghost story "A Christmas Carol" powerfully portrays the important reminder that all humans are worthy of charity and kindness, especially around the holiday season.

Miserable to see another Christmas Eve arrive, money-obsessed Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Cooper Summers, is shocked to be visited by the grim ghost of his former friend Jacob Marley, played by Marco Gazich. Marley sends Scrooge on a journey to discover the changes his life must take, with the assistance of the ghosts of Scrooge's Christmases past, present and future.

Cooper Summers transforms into the crotchety Ebenezer Scrooge with his hunched shoulders, gruff growl and British accent. When watching his younger self, played by Karson Bollinger, Summer's grows frustrated, yelling and waving his fist, but Bollinger stays stoic as he turns his back on love and happiness. The two effectively portray both sides of Scrooge, the stubborn young man and the regretful miser. Summers transforms, however, after realizing the dangers of his selfish life style, and jumps for joy with a boyish grin as he delivers charity to his family, clerk and community.

Scrooge's kind clerk, Bob Cratchit, played by Ian Dembek, contrasts Summer's demeanor with his generosity and warmth. When Scrooge acts harshly towards him, Dembek remains gentle, simply returning to his work instead of arguing. Even when in his own home, Cratchit is faithful as he beams with pride while making a toast to Mr. Scrooge. Cratchit's wife, played by Kaitlyn Kraack, balances her husband's passive nature and is feisty as she rants about the way Cratchit is mistreated, rolling her eyes and rambling quickly. The pair complement one another well, him gentle and her proud, and reveal their deep love for one another as they hold each other tightly in the face of the tragic death of their son.

The hair and makeup by Jacqueline Lembesis and Nicole Stewart effectively establish the age of the characters. Ebenezer's white wig, wrinkled brow and darkened eyes successfully transform the teenaged actor into an elderly man. The overworked Bob Cratchit had streaks of gray peeking through his locks to show the toll his busy life has had on him.

Yorba Linda's actors and technicians create a magical production of "A Christmas Carol" and remind audiences of the importance of holiday cheer and charity, no matter the time of the year.