UNLV’s ‘Christmas Carol’ will leave you gaping

Nevada Conservatory Theatre's production of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" (adapted by David Bell) starts out with a gloom I didn't expect.

Dana Moran Williams' unrealistic physical environment suggests a cold and impersonal warehouse. Director Brad Carroll seems to have set the play inside Scrooge's unhappy soul. When necessary, the varied lighting (by Jeremy W. Hodges) and costumes (by Judy Ryerson) project a happier look onto the surroundings. But the nightmarish quality of the events -- brought to life by special effects, eerie sound (by Nick Spraul) and a ghost that towers nearly the entire height of the stage -- constantly bring home the hell that may await Scrooge.

The show works on many levels. When Alan Dronek first appears as Marley -- the ghost of the former business partner who has come to bring Scrooge warning -- we're taken aback by the fury of his unearthly entrance and his decadent metallic look. But Dronek doesn't allow the visuals to do his work for him. We get from the actor a strong sense of regret, a helplessness and confusion that hints of a powerful man taken down by everything he once coveted.

Paris McCarthy is an elegant Ghost of the Past, flying breathtakingly into Scrooge's world. She seems a resident of heaven, on-call whenever a mission of kindness is called for. Chelsea Lockie as the generous wife of Young Scrooge's employer proves a thunderbolt of welcomed energy. And as Scrooge's assistant Bob Cratchit, Jordan Bondurant gives a down-to-earth sanity to the plot with his beautifully understated, no-nonsense performance.

As Scrooge, union actor and faculty member Michael Tylo brings the sort of strong presence you'd expect from a man of his considerable experience. But he imposes on the role a raspy voice that's as phony as his pigeon-toed walk and hunched shoulders (which mysteriously straighten up every now and then). Tylo hasn't internalized the character.

But this remains a production likely to have you gaping. The sudden appearance of Ghost of the Future feels so threatening, you may find yourself fearfully examining the status of your own morality.

Anthony Del Valle can be reached at vegastheaterchat @aol.com. You can write him c/o Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125.