Entertainment :: Theatre
Holiday Surprises and Treats by Jenny Block
EDGE ContributorThursday Dec 11, 2008 You may have seen A Christmas Carol before. But Joel Ferrell, Director and Choreographer of the new Dallas Theater Center production, says audiences are in for a treat and a surprise when they see this year’s new take on a beloved classic.
With original music by David de Berry and a stage adaptation by Richard Hellesen, this year’s show brings together a bevy of local talent, as well as some awfully impressive imports as well. But good theater is not the only thing DTC is offering with this production, they are also providing audiences the opportunity to give back too. Following each show, cast members will greet audiences to collect monetary donations of any size to help support the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB). One dollar equals five meals for those needing assistance and NTFB helps feed about 48,000 families every month. Joel Ferrell talks to EDGE about his life in the theater and this year’s DTC production of A Christmas Carol.
EDGE: When was it that you first fell in love with the theater?
Ferrell: I fell in love with theatre at about age 6 when I was taken by my parents to see a local production. I begged for more and they obliged.
EDGE: Can you give readers a snapshot of your theater resume?
Ferrell: I got my Equity card during summer stock at Casa Manana in Fort Worth, Texas. I moved to New York in 1982 and studied acting with Charles Kakatsakis for seven years. I did two national tours as an actor--Peter Pan and CATS; regional gigs as an actor; and some commercial work. I started directing and choreographing in about 1986--mostly musicals in the beginning. I became Artistic Director of Casa Manana in 1997 and left that job in 2001. I have been freelancing as a director and choreographer in DFW and all over the country ever since.
EDGE: What about the Dallas Theater Center made you want to be a part of it?
Ferrell: I have been keenly aware of DTC since graduating college in 1981. I worked at DTC as an actor many years ago and always wanted to do more with the company.
EDGE: I assume you’ve directed Christmas before, why take on directing it for yet another season?
Ferrell: I was offered the job for the fourth year and was anxious to investigate the story again. I’ve always loved Dickens, but A Christmas Carol is the only Dickens I’ve gotten to direct. There are very few theatrical adaptations of his other work.
EDGE: Would you consider this a good choice for first timers or folks with little experience with the theater?
Ferrell: It’s a great choice because Dickens’ story telling is so lush, so clear, and so timeless. I’m reminded of this every year when seven and eight-year-olds seem to love the story as much as adults. People come back year after year and bring first timers because they respond so deeply to the story.
EDGE: What did you or do you enjoy the most about doing this particular production?
Ferrell: I love so many aspects of this production it’s hard to nail down a favorite. The designers all did incredible work, but it’s the acting company that brings the show to life every performance, and they are a blast to work with. Most of the actors are from this area and represent the unique community of talented artists that live in DFW. Our Scrooge is English, now living in New York and is one of the most talented and generous actors you could ever hope to work with. These actors keep me honest and excited about the piece.
EDGE: What did you or do you find the most challenging about doing this particular production?
Ferrell: The most challenging aspect of the production is the technical side of things. The Kalita Humphreys Theater is a wonderful space, but it was not designed to handle productions of this size and scope. The crew and actors have very little space backstage and work miracles at every performance to make the show appear to be easy and effortless. You wouldn’t believe what things look like from offstage!
EDGE: What is special or unique about this DTC production of Christmas Carol?
Ferrell: It’s a beautiful adaptation to begin with. Richard Hellesen did the adaptation and David DeBerry wrote stunning music for it. It’s a great story---but some productions get too wrapped up with spectacle. I think we’ve done a good job of using the design and technical elements to enhance the story and the actors’ telling of it.
EDGE: What do you believe it is that makes some people think that theater is not for them even if they’ve never been?
Ferrell: They may feel it will be stuffy or boring compared to blockbuster movies or concerts. It’s our job as theater artists to make theater that is worth devoting an evening to.
EDGE: In these difficult economic times, why do you think attending and supporting the theater continues to be imperative?
Ferrell: Live theater tells the story of all our lives. Good theater pulls us out of isolation and into conversation with each other. Every time a country, including ours, has had social, political or economic upheaval, the arts have exploded in new and amazing ways. Theater can and should adapt to new ideas and audiences and connect generations, cultures, and races. If the world seems frightening, imagine it without music, dance, theater, [or other atrs].
A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens
Kalita Humphreys Theater
3636 Turtle Creek Blvd. at Blackburn St.
Through December 28
Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.; and select Sunday evening at 7:30 p.m.
Ticket prices $16 to $60. To purchase, call 214.522.8499 or go to www.dallastheatercenter.org.
Jenny Block is a Dallas based freelance writer and the author of "Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage" (Seal Press, June 2008). Block’s work has appeared in Cosmopolitan (Germany), USA Today, American Way, BeE, bRILLIANT, the Dallas Morning News, D, Pointe, and Virginia Living, as well as on huffingtonpost.com, yourtango.com, and ellegirl.com. You can also find her work in the books "It’s a Girl" (Seal Press, March 2006, ed. Andrea J. Buchanan) and "One Big Happy Family" (Riverhead Press, February 2009, Rebecca Walker, ed.).
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