perfect inauguration at the starcastle!

That's what I told Vivian Orrel-Ryals, the house manager, during intermission.

That's what I told Kelie Miley, the director, during intermission.

That's what I told Danielle Houston (who had a variety of roles that included Mrs. Mops) after the show.

I meant it, too, every time I said it.

"A Christmas Carol" was the perfect musical to showcase all the talent, regardless of age, of the folks at the Savannah Children's Theatre.

I can only name a few of the actors, as there was no program at the event.

That had to wait until I came home to the computer so I could access the link.

(I made sure to complain about the lack of a printed program. How am I to thank the sponsors if I don't even know who they are? How can I follow the actors in their career if I don't even have their names? Not to mention how wonderful it would have been to have a souvenir of this inaugural event at the new home of SavChTh?) 

That said, I want to applaud Joel Altherr for yet another stunningly well-done portrayal, this time as Ebeneezer Scrooge. 

That's him in the middle of a group of chain-rattling buddies of the ghost of Jacob Marley (also played well by Galen Schneider, as both the young man he had been and the miserable miser he became as a spectre).

Here he is in his top hat and coat, with the indomitable JinHi Soucy Rand and the almost-40 Danielle Houston to his left.

(Her birthday is next Saturday.)

I know the woman in white next to him is Jaden Hathaway, the Ghost of Christmas Future, as well as a blind beggar.

Then, near the end, when 'Scrooge' is dancing around gaily in his nightgown, having just awoken to it being Christmas Day, Joel is superb!

His joy was contagious, as is evident in the faces of the crowd around him!  

I'm so glad I went today.

I got to see Al Williams onstage again, enthusiastically portraying old Fezziwig!

I got to see Jack Webber again, this time as Bob Cratchit, a role much different from the Scarecrow I'd loved!

Kudos to young Braeden Wright who rose to the challenge of Tiny Tim!

(See what I did there? I made a pun from the photo!)

And the set... the set was beautiful.

It easily went from Scrooge's apartment to the cramped home of the Cratchits, from Scrooge's bedroom to the open plaza of town.

Such a versatile design!

And, at the end, there was Christmas Day snow falling on that stage.

What a wonder!

Children in the audience came by and touched it on the stage, perhaps expecting it to be cold.

I'm so glad it could simply be swept up and reused for the next show.

I've had enough of the real thing to last the rest of my life!

(smile!)

I do hope I get the opportunity to see "A Christmas Carol" again, here at the Starcastle - it truly was one of the best musicals I've ever experienced!