Review: In Tandem's A TWISTED CAROL Fracture's Dickens' Timeless Tale

In December, In Tandem Theatre presents their brand new "alternative" holiday entertainment:A Twisted Carol. True to the title, Mondy Carter's (book and lyrics) accompanied by Nathan Wesselowski's music offers more than merely a "twisted" version of Charles Dickens' beloved A Christmas Carol. This evening of laughs and slightly deranged literary characters brightens the festive season with In Tandem's unique take on the classic tale.

In Tandem's conception of Scrooge, played by the illustrious comic master Chris Flielller, intermingles a touch of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd with the Godfather. This Scrooge makes deals for profit with the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present, keeping his cynical side front and center, which Flieiller plays with perfect comic timing and derision.

Jocelyn Ridgely's Ghost of Christmas Past inadvertently goes back "too far" in the past---a veritable prehistoric journey---while Debra Babich's Ghost of Christmas Present is the single mother of her two children--Ignorance and Want! Want's obsessions delightfully sung in the tune, "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme", a sardonic comment on consumption and consumerism. Only In Tandem could cast Tiny Tim as truly miniature--- placed in the Sesame Street puppet Ernie, and still make the "God Bless Us, Everyone," line at the story's end almost as endearing as in the original.

Nathan Wesselowski creates Cratchit with a definite psychosis, while Joe Fransee's Marley died choking on a piece of Mrs. Cratchit's spice cake. While the fractured story continues, Teddy Warren's Fred sings an unusual ballad to his "Exceedingly Pretty'" wife Catherine, while Belle, the talented Samantha Sostarich and the Young Scrooge sing "I can't love you more than money and you can't love me more than cash."

Rick Rasmussen's set design allows for simplicity and seamless scene changes in the intimate Tenth Street Theatre space while Kathy Smith's costumes carry out a bit of this twisted appeal. Scrooge remains in his white night shirt and cap the entire performance when traveling with these frazzled Ghosts, who have been working over time. The production indeed incorporates highly unlikely scenarios,, some almost unimaginable twists, and In Tandem's audience thoroughly enjoyed the holiday parody shown through the laughter from the sold out house on this particular evening.

Either way, applaud In Tandem and Director Jane Flieller for presenting theater, entertaining and fresh, even if a few tweaks to the production might be considered over time. Creating an entirely original satirical musical comprised of a dozen newly created melodies and lyrics is far more challenging than writing new lyrics to traditional carols, as the company did in their acclaimed A Cudahy Caroler Christmas, which also changed over the years. Perhaps the very far-fetched ending on Scrooge's ultimate "redemption,' and his contemplation on mortality, sung about in "Everyone Dies," offers a postmortem on the sentimentality of Christmas for the Bah, Humbug-ers.

The packed theater on the first weekend in December gave a seal of approval to this fractured, taunting version of Dickens' as only In Tandem could achieve. A true holiday alternative for the arts lover featuring a highly talented cast and director, accompanied by Josh Robinson's live music, wraps up a performance perfect as a gift for any Grinch, ultimately opened with seasonal chuckles and satirical cheer.

In Tandem presents A Twisted Carol at the Tenth Street Theatre through January 3, with a special party and performance on New Year's Eve, or catch the Reindeer Monologues for another version of Santa's story on December 14. For further information, performance schedule or to purchase tickets, please call: 414.271.1371 or www.intandemtheatre.org

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