Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge

Well, it's not your typical Christmas tale. And rightfully so. This entertaining story of "A Christmas Carol" takes a wild turn when the Ghost of Christmas past, present and yet to come, all played by Ms. Fracena Byrd, has a glitch in her magic to take Scrooge to the places he needs to be. Dickins, it ain't. Fun, it certainly is. The music was wonderful. Everyone's voice on stage was in tune, in time and rang beautifully. There weren't a lot of songs, but God Bless It - they worked! The events, now, well - there were some references to the future that didn't fit. For example, the typical audience member will buy the 1800s Scrooge being visited by a timeless spirit, but they will not buy the spirit wearing something so modern as a UPS uniform. Or Tiny Tim quoting "The San Fransisco Treat" line. It was out of place. More clever things could have been inserted that would have worked just as well. Consistency: there was a little lacking of that. Topher Payne was, as always, the diva in drag and a wonderful straight man when needed. Mrs. Cratchit, played by Johann Linden, was hilarious. Very unhappy with her lot in life, but definitely the eye of Scrooge's eye. Who would've thunk it?

The idea of the Cratchits having 20 kids total was also unnecessary. The story line would have been just as good with this man having to secure enough food and money to support a family of six. The McDonald's was a bit out of place as well. Something more period would have been just as funny appearing out of the air, like the fish from Mrs. Cratchit when she came back from the river. The "It's a Wonderful Life" reference was hysterical. That added a lovely element to the story and brought in Clarence, played by Robert Wayne. The "Flicka" reference and the "Touched By An Angel" reference was just wonderfully placed. Again, a bit out of date, not consistent with the mood of where the story was going, but it was cute. Something from 1970s television would have been better, getting the audience ready for 1977, but hey - there you have it. The music was a bit too loud and over-took the singers at times, but all in all, a lovely show.