In Indianapolis, there are a few telltale signs the holidays are nearing: Monument Circle becomes a giant Christmas tree, the Indianapolis Zoo gets covered in animated lights, and Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” returns to the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT).
In its 30th year, IRT’s “A Christmas Carol” has a smaller cast due to COVID-19, but just as much holiday cheer as it’s always had. Adapted by Tom Haas, who served as IRT’s artistic director from 1990 until his death in 1991, this year’s play is the first time IRT’s resident playwright, James Still, has directed the production, and the first time veteran IRT actor Rob Johansen has played Ebenezer Scrooge.
Johansen has been in “A Christmas Carol” for 14 years and has shared the stage with his wife, Jennifer, many times.
“I’ve always been a sucker for this, even when I was a kid,” Johansen said of the play. “… I’m from New York and I moved out here for grad school with every intention of going back to New York, but the first time I was in ‘A Christmas Carol,’ I felt like I was celebrating a major holiday with an entire city. I fell in love with Indianapolis and decided to make my life out here.”
In previous years, Johansen has played Bob Cratchit, the Ghost of Christmas Past and the undertaker, among other roles. This year, with a new soundscape, an updated script and an expanded run time, he said the production is “refreshing” for the cast.
David Alan Anderson has been performing in “A Christmas Carol” for over a decade, always as several characters. This year, audiences can see him as Fezziwig, the Ghost of Christmas Present, Pawnbroker, and he’s part of the ensemble. Working under Still’s direction for the first time in this production, Anderson said, changed the feel of the play.
“The biggest difference is James comes in without knowledge of the way we’ve interpreted the play in the past,” Anderson said. “It’s not something he’s as familiar with as we are, so the thoughts and ideas we come to him with, he was willing to listen to, but he’s not beholden to them. … It feels a little more like a ghost story this year than in the past.”
While Anderson wouldn’t say this year’s play — with a cast of just eight people — feels like a return to normalcy, it does feel like the holidays are here again.
“There’s a comfort in coming back,” Anderson said. “It’s more so the people than the play. It’s a great group of people I consider part of my local artistic family. … So, in that sense, there’s a bit of comfort in coming back to tell this story.”
Johansen’s performance as Scrooge marks his 50th production for IRT, and much like seeing “A Christmas Carol” around the holidays, it just feels right.
“To have it come to fruition this year, it’s my 50th show, my first time as Scrooge, my wife is in the play, we have a new director, it feels like it was all meant to be,” he said.
Contact staff writer Breanna Cooper at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @BreannaNCooper.
