by Cari Lynn Pace

Scrooge! The Musical is Charles Dickens’ timeless story A Christmas Carol shined up by Leslie Bricusse with a book, music, and lyrics. It’s Sonoma Arts Live’s holiday show, now running on the Rotary Stage at the Sonoma Community Center through Dec. 21

The show gives several children and teens their shot at onstage stardom, mixing them with veteran actors in the lead roles. The entire show bursts with energy thanks to Larry Williams, the award-winning director and actor at the helm. Williams is deliciously snarky as Ebeneezer Scrooge and shows off his singing chops to great applause. He delights the audience playing his nasty and pecunious character while fending off the ghosts.

If you want scary and spooky, look no further than David Shirk as the Ghost of Jacob Marley. The chains and eerie makeup are a triumph for Costume Designer Barbara McFadden, who doubles up in her role as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Another standout is Cat Smith as the giggling Ghost of Christmas Present. I loved the candles on her head.

Ghosts swiftly change costumes becoming London townspeople, joining the rest of the large cast. Owen Hardisty and Sara Curtis do a fine job as hardworking Bob Cratchit and his wife. One who’s mastered the cockney accent includes Thaddeus Louviere, who confesses he’s only been in four prior shows but effortlessly gives a happy hop as the final curtain closes. These veteran performers are admirable models for the young actors sharing the stage.

Yet young actors are not necessarily inexperienced.

It begins with the lovely voice and visage of Autumn Terradista as one of the Cratchit daughters. Terradista is not only an award-winning singer, she is the VAPA Foundation’s best middle-school actress of 2025, among other awards.

Braces and all, this young performer is one to watch.

Playing now through December 21 on the Rotary Stage of Andrews Hall in the Sonoma Community Center, 276 East Napa Street, Sonoma.

Click HERE for more information and tickets.

Photos by Katie Kelley

Cari Lynn Pace is a long-time Bay Area theatre critic whose reviews were regularly featured in the Marinscope Community Newspapers.