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Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol
By Tom Mula
Directed by Steve Scott
Produced by Theater Wit
At the Theatre Building Chicago
1225 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago, IL
Call 773-327-5252 www.theaterwit.com
Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 2 pm
Running time is 90 minutes with intermission
Through January 3, 2009
Spellbinding tour de force performance by Tom Mula of his imaginative play is a “can’t miss show”!
Somehow over the years I missed Tom Mula’s terrific one-man show, Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol. Shame on me! Tom Mula is a theatrical genius who blends a wonderful, witty, funny and clever script with one of the most spellbinding performances I’ve ever witnessed. Add the fantastic sound (Rob Neuhaus) and lighting (Jeremy Getz) with Mula’s enormous talent for instantly becoming several characters and you have a theatrical experienced of the finest order.
What Mula has written is the story behind the story of Charles Dickens beloved A Christmas Carol—“The story of Jacob Marley's heroic behind-the-scenes efforts to save old Scrooge's soul—and in the process, save his own. Aided by a Bogle, a malicious little hell-sprite with an agenda of his own, their hilarious journey takes them from the Jaws of Death to the Mouth of Hell—and beyond! This irreverent, funny, and ultimately, deeply moving story retells Dickens' classic with warmth and infectious zest.”
I totally agree with the above quote from Tom Mula’s website. Let me add that the sheer effort on how to tell a complex story with multiple characters by one person is a task limited to gifted actors adept at voice, accents and physical acumen. Tom Mula gives a graduate level lesson in acting with this show. Quickly I saw each character from the little Bogle to the Gatekeeper to Marley and Scrooge. Mula is both a master storyteller and a fantastic actor.
This show will grab you, make you laugh and move you to better understand and appreciate both the genius of Charles Dickens and the vast talent of Tom Mula. Add this amazingly entertaining show to your holiday viewing list.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2008
Jeff Recommended
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