Scrooge's Journey to Compassion (Actors Theatre of Louisville)
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A Christmas Carol
Novel written by Charles Dickens
Adapted by Lavina Jadhwani
Directed by Amelia Acosta Powell and Emily Tarquin
Review by Kate Barry
Entire contents are copyright @2025 by Kate Barry. All rights reserved.
There are a few things that just feel right, like snow on the ground in December and A Christmas Carol in the Pamela Brown Auditorium. Luckily, our community has been touched by both this week! Actors Theatre of Louisville has brought back the Dickensian holiday favorite with an all local cast and team, straying away from any one-person shows or visiting companies it has been known to do in recent seasons. Instead, the return to form is a much needed reminder of the impact this local gem has on Louisville and on theater nationwide.
In this adaptation by Lavina Jadhwani, all the Christmas tropes are represented. The ensemble consisting of Justin Jackson, Mark Mozingo, Crystian Wiltshire, Mandi Elkins Hutchins, Alfie Jones, Tyler Tate, Jessica Wortham and Astoncia Bhagat act as narrators and carolers with lovely pitch and harmony. Three young actors fulfill the ensemble as well while being double cast. Notably, Verity Vonberg’s Tiny Tim lends sweet vocals to a well-known Christmas carol. Adorned in sumptuous hoop skirts, long coats , hats and scarves, with an intricate proscenium set comprised of doors, curtains and images of Dickens’ London as a backdrop, the production does well to whisk you away to Queen Victoria’s reign.
Of course, A Christmas Carol would not exist without Ebenezer Scrooge. As the curmudgeon, Neill Robertson gives an emotional performance. Robertson taps into Scrooge’s journey from humbug to compassion while delivering fully formed moments. His interactions with Bob Cratchit (played by a tender hearted Justin Jackson) are jaded and heartless and far from any kind of empathy. Robertson emotes perfectly as Scrooge as he regrets the past, copes with shame and guilt of the present and fears a tragically lonely future. Robertson’s Scrooge truly transforms on Christmas morning within his “Not the man I was” speech. His presence is lighter as this Scrooge learns to live with love and mercy not only on Christmas but every day.
Through Scrooge’s journey, he is visited by three spirits at the warning of the ghost of Jacob Marley. Mandi Elkins Hutchins brings a weighted physicality to Marley as she drags her feet and weighted chains around Scrooge’s bed chambers. Alfie Jones’ Christmas Past is equally radiant and ethereal with a tad of mystery. Tyler Tate’s take on Christmas Present is indulgent and lush with caution as Scrooge learns the harsh truths of loved ones with whom he has been cruel. Christmas Yet to come looms large on stage as to represent the weight of Scrooge’s choices to change to a kinder person. The scale and movements of this spirit were impressive at first and yet at times felt distracting.
A Christmas Carol is a comforting reminder to be sympathetic and kind to those around you. This is a reminder we could all use not just only in the days leading up to Christmas but every day, especially in these divisive times. And I am hopeful Actors Theatre will continue to produce original works of this caliber in seasons to come.
A Christmas Carol
Actors Theatre of Louisville
December 5-21 2025
Pamela Brown Auditorium
316 W Main St
Louisville KY
