‘Inspecting Carol’ Worth Just That

Theater Review

By JOLENE HULL Palisadian-Post Intern ‘Tis the season for merry machinations and Christ- mas chaos in the satirical holiday comedy ‘Inspecting Carol,’ presented by Theatre Palisades. The actors of the Soapbox Playhouse Theater Company are busy preparing for their annual performance of ‘A Christmas Carol.’ After being informed by the theater’s financial director that the theater is bankrupt, the play’s exuberant Lithuanian director, Zorah Bloch (played by Susan Lucci lookalike Pamela Murphy) is panic-stricken. The advisor also informs her that an inspector from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is expected to arrive at any moment to adjudicate whether funding should be continued or cut. Then, without warning, an overly enthusiastic actor named Wayne Wellacre (Stephen King) shows up to audition for a part in the production. Zorah assumes this is the NEA inspector in disguise, so she more than willingly gives him a part in the play, as well as incorporating his fatuous ideas and catering to his every need. After numerous shenanigans, including a steamy stage seduction, the real NEA inspector shows, only to bear witness to the most outrageous and appalling dress rehearsal of ‘A Christmas Carol’ this side of the North Pole. My favorite character was by far Sidney Carlton (George Hoth). After cast mate Walter E. Parsons (Arden Haywood), fails to utter any one of this Ghost of Christmas Past lines in the play, Sidney reassures him it was okay since ‘a lot of people forget their lines …just not the whole play.’ Although slow-going for a while, ‘Inspecting Carol’ is a solid play, fueled by its witty and unforgiving script. In addition, the acting and set decoration were both lively and convincing. Other highlights include a giant Tiny Tim, a run-of-the-mill turkey and a politically charged Ebenezer Scrooge. The play also features Benjamin Ackerman (Luther Beatty), John Clement (Phil Hewlitt), Manfred E. Hofer (Larry Vauxhall), Paul Huebl (Bart Frances), Martha Hunter (Betty Andrews), Paula K. Long (M. J. McMann), Cynthia Rothschild (Dorothy Tree-Hapgood), Jack Winnick (Kevin Emery) and Evan Smith (Luther Beatty understudy). The play is written by Daniel Sullivan and the Seattle Repertory Company, directed by Sherman Wayne and produced by Shirley Churgin and Lee Minderhout, ‘Inspecting Carol’ continues Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through December 5 at Pierson Playhouse, 941 Temescal Canyon Road, Tickets: 454-1970.