What do you say about a classic? “A Christmas Carol,” now playing at Babylon’s Argyle Theatre, directed by Evan Pappas and Debbie Roshe, who also choreographed, invigorated the old Dickens classic through David A. Sexton’s creative lighting, Amanda Scanze’s opulent costume design, surprising flying effects by ZFX and exceptional acting, singing and dancing by the entire talented cast,  several of whom are members of Actors’ Equity.

We all know the story: a miserly old curmudgeon, Ebenezer Scrooge, is visited by three ghosts, past, present and future, sent by his former business partner Jacob Marley’s ghost to help him navigate his misguided choices in life. Marley, played by Richard Rowan, is an absolutely frightening sight and warns Scrooge of the ghosts’ visits.

The first ghost, the ghost of Christmas past, portrayed by Grace Ellis Soloman, is bathed in white flowing garb illuminating happier times when Scrooge was younger and had found his one and only true love, Emily, played by Karina Gallagher. There are sweet moments with fantastic voices setting the tone of contentment.

The ghost of Christmas present, played by Mekhi Holloway, is draped in a heavy, cumbersome green velvet robe with unusually grotesque, circus-like makeup seemingly mocking the grotesqueness of Scrooge’s  own life, alone and filled with disdain for others. Together, with a chorus line of dancers dressed in red-sequined outfits reminiscent of the Ziegfield Follies, their partners with silver sequined bow ties, do a number that lightens an otherwise dour mood.

In the second act, there are two powerful dances. The first harsh and brusquely done by gravediggers, very impactful and foreboding.  The second dance by the third ghost of Christmas future, portrayed by Saki Masuda, was totally opposite with poignant modern dance moves directing Scrooge to his future and the all-around sad endings if he didn’t change his hateful ways. 

The Scrooge character is perfectly cast—disheveled, tall and towering over everyone, angry, and arrogant, projecting fear and loathing to everyone he comes in contact with.  Just the Scrooge we wanted to see! Tiny Tim, alternately played by Nicholas David Crocco and Tyler Maxwell Renaud, had an angelic voice and a lovely stage presence, clutching at the audience’s hearts. The costumes, the sets, were captivating as always at an Argyle production.

The lighting throughout is instrumental in setting the tone of each scene. The sequence of lighting at the end of the show takes us through every stage of Scrooge’s experience, whether real or just a dream, ending with a beautiful sunrise and with it, a new man with a bright and giving nature.

What can we say about a classic? Classics are classics for a reason. The story can be told over and over and never gets old.  The concepts of love and togetherness, friendship and family, of sharing and being kind to others withstands the test of time. Tiny Tim’s words will endure and still have meaning to many: God bless us, every one!

“A Christmas Carol” runs at the Argyle Theatre, 34 W. Main Street, Babylon, NY 11702 through Jan. 5, 2025. For tickets go to Argyletheatre.com or call 631-230-3500. Makes a perfect Christmas gift!