Tim Tastic: A Review

Tim: A Christmas Story by area playwright D.B. Williams had its WORLD Premier tonight on the stage of Georgetown College's John L Hill Memorial Chapel. The play, a modern retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol that is set in Cleveland, Ohio with 'ghosts' that include an Hispanic waitress, an Indian who is not Hindi but Southern Baptist, and a former girlfriend of this version's 'Scrooge' (Eddie Greel) was ably performed by members of the Georgetown Community Theatre and well staged and directed by Gil Thurman.

Brett W. Ervin as Eddie Greel was believeable as the work and money obsessed uncle who changes, in part due to the influence of his idealistic young nephew, Tim (Conner Caldwell). Though only in the fourth grade Caldwell holds his own in his first, but surely not last principle role. Also, doing well in bringing their characters to life were Kim Burgess (Angelita) and Jim Miller (Mr. Calbert).

Gil Thurman has staged Tim: A Christmas Story in a way that effectively helps tell the story. The set and lighting were elegantly simple; likewise the blocking was generally open with clear lines that facilitated being able to see and hear the actors.

The only problem with the play had nothing to do with the dialogue or the acting it was the frequent scene/costume changes that seemed to always appear as soon members of the audience started to laugh at some of Williams' crackling dialogue or an actor's funny bit. Runnning time was right at 90 minutes, with shorter blackouts it might well have come in at less than 80 minutes and that would have greatly helped a show that was run without an intermission.

There is still time to get out and see the last two performances of the world premiere of Tim. Georgetown Community Theatre will present Tim: A Christmas Story Saturday December13th at 8:00 pm and Sunday the 14th at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.