Show Notes: ZACH Theatre's 'A Christmas Carol'

The holiday spirit is alive and well across Texas, and one of the most entertaining places to find it is on a stage, Austin’s most rockin’ holiday tradition has returned with their re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic story to get the party started with a powerful message about redemption and the spirit of the holiday season.

By now, practically everyone is familiar with the story — Ebanezer Scrooge is a crotchety curmudgeon and after a quick haunt from his former business partner, he receives a visit from three spirits to show him the error of his ways — but what makes the experience magical is seeing how the story is brought to life on stage. Austin’s ZACH Theatre has long created a fun-filled production that’s great for the whole family, and this year is no exception.

Martavius Parrish and Francene Bayola in A Christmas Carol. Courtesy Photo

One of the unique features of ZACH’s take on this Christmas classic is mixing music into the story. From classic artists like The O’Jays to current headliners like Dua Lipa, the range of tunes is wide, and most of the talent can hold their own. It’s always a delight to hear live performances of such popular and well known tunes. You really can’t go wrong with the vocal talent in this cast — have you heard Kenny Williams Jr serenade a crowd? I will say, however, as someone who's been fortunate to see the show over the past few years, there are some songs that don’t live up to the iterations of previous years.

Much of the leading cast is made up of returning Austin favorites, and it’s easy to see why. Marc Pouhé reprised his role as Ebenezer Scrooge, giving the same generally genuine performance as always. Many of the notable roles are played by familiar faces — Roderick Sanford as Jacob Marley, Mr. Fezziwig, and the Reverend; Kenny Williams Jr. as the Ghost of Christmas Past and a Charitable Gentleman; etc. — and while they each do well in their roles, I can’t help but wonder if the opportunity is still as exciting for them as it once was. I will say that it’s always a pleasure to hear Francene Bayola, but knowing her vocal and acting capabilities, I’d say she’s under utilized in her role as Belle.

The three Christmas ghosts that speak are arguably the strongest vocal performances of the show. With Sanford’s deep sensuous tones, Williams’s velvet-smooth crooning, and McDonel’s powerful stage presence, it’s pretty clear where the production’s core formula rests. On the flipside, I worry Martavius Parrish (Apprentice Scrooge) may be punching above his weight when it comes to song choice. It’s not his first time in the role, but it’s also not the first time I’ve noticed this issue.

Marc Pouhé (left) and Kenny Williams Jr (right) in A Christmas Carol. Courtesy photo

I think the community values this time-honored holiday tradition. Given the ever-changing pandemic landscape, having a sense of social normalcy for an evening is well worth the ticket price alone. While their COVID safety protocols are a mild annoyance, and not as liberal as those currently in place at other venues such as Bass Concert Hall, it’s better than a vaccine mandate. Setting that thorn aside, ZACH Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol is a rose that’s worth the time to stop and enjoy. It’s family friendly and can feel fairly immersive with their strobe glow sticks. This year’s production will run from now until January 2, 2022. For tickets, check out ZACH Theatre’s website.