I finally watched VHS Christmas Carol Live last night, and I loved it! I wanted to give some initial thoughts:
The music SLAPS! Like, so good! I'm not usually much of an 80's pop person, but honestly it was bop after bop the whole time. Bah Humbug, That Scrooge, Christmas Electricity, and Priceless were all highlights for me. I think what sold it for me was how lyrically tight it was, and how strong the emotions were. Telling a story entirely through song is no easy feat, but they absolutely nailed the structure and pacing.
Speaking of the emotions, Christmas Carol has been adapted so many times, that it's really important to hit all the emotional beats to sell the spirit of the story, and VHS delivers. I feel like many adaptations go all in on the misery, regret, and sorrow of the story, and only really bring the cheer and warmth in at the very end. VHS really embraces not only the somber parts of the tale, but the joyful parts too. Fezziwig's Chistmas party, Fred's party, and the Crachit's family dinner all really portray the joyfullness of the season and how that joyfullness can come from many places. It really strengthens the message of the story in a way that adaptations focused only on the bleak aspects miss.
In terms of actual story decisions, VHS really sticks to the classic story very closely and does it really well. Actual story changes are few and far between, but the ones they included I really liked. I loved the addition of the couple who are thankful that Scrooge died because it relieves their debt. It really highlights that Crachit and his family are not the only people affected by Scrooge's greed. Many adaptations either like to forget he's a landlord, or don't unpack the ethics of landlords, so it was nice to see some sort of acknowledgment of Scrooge's less direct and more systemic impact. I also really liked how Scrooge delivered the turkey to the Crachit's in secret, and didn't give Bob his raise until after Christmas instead of barging in unannounced. I had never really thought about it before, but in most versions he does just kind of barge in on their celebration and make a big production of giving Bob a raise. I like how he let them have their celebration in peace and spent more time with Fred.
The performances were all killer. I know it kinda goes without saying at this point, but everyone in the cast in Starkid shows are always so talented. Special mention to James Tolbert, because I feel like he doesn't get enough recognition for what a talented actor, dancer, and choreographer (and director) he is. This was also my first time seeing Janaya Mahealani Jones in anything, and her Belle really blew me away. Other stand-outs for me were Dylan Saunders' Scrooge, Lauren Lopez and Joey Ritcher's Crachits, and Jaime Lyn Beatty's Ghost of Christmas Past, but really everyone knocked it out of the park.
June Saito's costumes! The 80s themeing was outstandingly executed, and the quick changes were really impressive. I've gotten used to the more realistic and toned down costumes that fit the Hatchetfield shows' setting (which are also fantastic, not trying to minimize those), but between this and the LiB's in NPMD, it's wonderful to see June Saito get to really go over the top. Special mention to Marley's costume (silver chain pants? silver chain pants!), the 3 spirit's silver and blue color themeing, and that sequined suit jacket Scrooge wears at the end of the show.
Overall, really good. Might pay for the VHS Carols digital ticket later today and watch it.
The first look at Shipwrecked Comedy's The Case of the Greater Gatsby - a new audio narrative coming July 26th!
THE CASE OF THE GREATER GATSBY
Written and created by Sean Persaud and Sinead Persaud
Directed by William J. Stribling
Produced by Sean Persaud, Sinead Persaud, and Mary Kate Wiles Recorded by Ears Up Audio and Noah Hunt Audio
Edited by Lizzie Goldsmith
Music by Dylan Glatthorn
FEATURING
Sean Persaud as Ford Phillips and Jimmy Stewart
Sinead Persaud as Fig Wineshine
Curt Mega as The Announcer
Mary Kate Wiles as Vivian Nightingale
Matthew Mercer as Officer Mo Beats
Brian Rosenthal as Rex Punchwhistle
Julia Cho as Sheilah Graham
Sarah Grace Hart as Wilhelmina Vanderjetski
Dante Swain as Bixby Crane
Tommy Hobson as Barnaby Nightingale
Lauren Lopez as Penny Nickelpenny
Lesli Margherita as Mel Hammermeister
Tom DeTrinis as Cliff Calloway
Joanna Sotomura as Claudette Knickerbocker
Joey Richter as Dash Gunfire
Video edited by Sean Persaud, featuring clips from "The Case of the Gilded Lily," shot by Alex Gallitano