Wayside Theatre puts spin on Dickens

For theatergoers who just can’t get into the holiday spirit without the Charles Dickens’ classic but may have grown weary of the play, the Wayside Theatre in Dexter has a scrumptious solution – “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol.”

This is a one-man tour de force told from the perspective of Ebenezer Scrooge’s dead partner, Jacob Marley. Ed Hoovler of Monson, who first did the show for the fledgling theater two years ago, again stars. Time has only seasoned his performance.

Under the direction of Marcia Joy Douglas, chairwoman of the theater department at the University of Maine, Hoovler brings to life 15 characters. Most of them are from Dickens’ story but a few are the invention of playwright and performer Tom Mula of New York.

He first wrote and performed the show in Chicago in the mid-1990s. It is written in a Dickensian style that captures the rhythm and intricacy of the language in the original novella.

This is not a spoof or farce of “A Christmas Carol,” it simply tells the familiar story from a different perspective. Marley, it turns out, was not that different from Scrooge in life, and finds his former partner a tough nut to crack when it comes to reforming his ways from the afterlife. Scrooge’s ex-partner is not just out to save his old friend, but also to redeem himself and spend eternity in a better place than he earned during his time on earth.

Helping Marley out in this quest is a tiny, persistent sprite named Bogle, unknown to Dickens. He has an agenda of his own but gives the show much of its humor. The Irish lilt Hoovler gives Bogle lets the audience conjure up a mini-flying leprechaun, who’s charmingly mischievous.

Hoovler gives each character a distinct voice and manages never to confuse the audience about who is speaking when. Under Douglas’ direction, the actor also gives depth to the major characters, in particular Marley and Scrooge, that isn’t always present in productions of “A Christmas Carol.”

The many sound effects created by Barbara Bekier add intensity to the show and help bring the story to life. In that way, it is similar to a radio play. Sometimes, Marley’s saga is more vivid when audience members close their eyes and just listen.

“Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” is a delightfully delicious alternative to the original. It will put even the Grinch in the Christmas spirit and theatergoers will relish Hoovler’s excellent and layered performance.

The Wayside Theatre will hold its Family Christmas Program at 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 22. It will feature a performance by the Wayside Singers and the Youth Theatre will perform “The Gift of the Magi.” Admission will be $5 for adults. Children will be free. For reservations, call 924-8813. Judy Harrison may be reached at jharrison@bangordailynews.net or 990-8207.

When you go

Show: Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol

When: 7 p.m., Dec. 14 and 15; 2 p.m. Dec. 16

Where: Wayside Theatre, Route 23 North, North Dexter

Length: 2 hours, 15 minutes including intermission

Cost: $10

Contact: 924-8813

Advice: Dress warmly