Ebenezer Scrooge has taken up residence at the Annapolis Dinner Theatre through Dec. 23, and there are many good things to report.
In fact, Old Humbug and his supporting players have joined together to make the ADT's "A Christmas Carol" a most colorful, festive seasonal affair.
Kudos begin with the musical score crafted by lyricist Michael Hulett and composer Doug Yetter.
Their version is new to this area and is definitely worth a listen.
"Link By Link," sung by the riveting David Reynolds as Marley'Ghost, is a tour de force, and I was quite taken with the number sung by Belle, Ebenezer's fiancee, who deserts the miser rather than endure his all-consuming materialism.
"You need only to succeed, my love," sings the gifted Anita Patton. "I need someone who will need my love." Not a bad turn of the phrase.
The dinner theater's cast list reads like a Who's Who of Annapolis' best.
Tim King is a wretched, dyspeptic Scrooge par excellence.
Bob Rude is a Fezziwig sent over from Central Casting.
Steve Fogle is a humane and (for once) unwimpy Bob Crachit, and Joel Bays is a charmer as Tiny Tim.
The remarkable David Reynolds not only portrays Marley and a Tevye-esque Ghost of Christmas Present, but directs the whole show.
There is, however, room for growth on the personnel front. Steve Legrand does nicely as Scrooge's nephew, Fred, but the other members of his party need to wake up.
The production is ambitious, with elaborate sets and complex special effects popping up everywhere.
It's early in the run and -- not surprisingly -- scene changes and other technical matters could use some tightening up.
The dinner -- a buffet featuring turkey, ham and the trimmings -- was excellent as was a cheesecake served up at intermission during a lull in Fezziwig's famous office party.
He was a great host.
B6 For tickets to "A Christmas Carol", call 626-7515.
