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Stage Left by Michael Lilienthal

Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is a tale with a message and moral we simply can’t do without if we’re to have a genuine festival. You likely know the story. In Albert Lea Community Theatre’s fresh and faithful production, you’ll see many of your favorite things, all with an original take.

Director Glen Parsons hopes to give this play as a gift to the community. It certainly is that. You’ll see the themes of gifts behind the true meaning of Christmas throughout the play. James Zschunke’s grump of a Scrooge is delightful to watch as he shores himself up behind his walls of money. His hard heart is that proverbial immovable object against which comes the unstoppable force of three waves of spirits, after the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley (hauntingly played by Jon Cochran).

The lesson begins with the Ghost of Christmas Past (the brightly sweet Bailey Lowe) reminding Scrooge of all the joyful gifts he has received and squandered. Next the Ghost of Christmas Present (the irresistibly joyful Mark Place) showing him the opportunities for joy still available to him. And finally, the Ghost of Christmas Future (the charismatic even while silent Daniel Montenegro) warns him how that wealth which he loves will forsake him in death.

Adventuring around London and throughout time, “A Christmas Carol” is the gift that keeps on giving. There are times to laugh, times to weep and times to quake in fear. You may be keeping an eye out for Tiny Tim in this classic story, and when you see Samuel Gustafson’s ebullient performance you will fall for him as quickly and deeply as Scrooge. They are polar opposites: Scrooge values his golden idol and sacrifices all others on its altar, but Tiny Tim gives himself wholly to the needs of his fellow men. If given the choice, in fact, I’d rather spend my Christmas with Bob Cratchit (Phil Hanson) and Mrs. Cratchit (Michelle Supalla) in their poor little house warmed by love than in the rich lodging of Scrooge, where the cold is impenetrable.

I hope you don’t mind a spoiler for this 180-year-old story, but Scrooge does learn his lesson. He says it at the end, that time is the great gift he’s been given. The chorus of “God bless us, everyone!” rings out, and the prayer is that this blessing of time would be seen for the gift it is. At the end, when the dam bursts, I dare you not to smile with Christmas spirit! Because of what you have received, you’re encouraged to look at what you can give: whether a party like the Fezziwigs’ (boisterously played by the mirthful pair of Jason Howland and Heather Kohler), a generous donation of food or money, or just company and a prayer like that of Tiny Tim.

The value of the gift is not measured by the dollar amount. The humblest offering of even two pennies can be more than the greatest show of riches. ACT’s gift of “A Christmas Carol” is a very rich one, well worth some of your precious time.

Michael G. Lilienthal serves as the pastor of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, and in his free time enjoys writing, reading and podcasting on the Tapestry Radio Network. He competed nationally at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., for Theatre Criticism in 2011. He has also written a handful of short plays and one full-length production called “The Oak Trees Still Stand.” Lilienthal lives in Albert Lea with his wife, Sarah, and their several foster children.