It's a wonder that nobody has thought of it before. What would make more sense than writing a one-man show about Charles Dickens that could be performed during the holidays? Well, Wisconsin playwright and actor James DeVita has accomplished just that with Dickens in America. Although DeVita is listed as the sole playwright, he graciously acknowledges the considerable contributions of two other local figures, (director) C. Michael Wright and (actor) James Ridge.
The play, which is based on public lectures by the famous author, is actually rooted in fact. Dickens began his second (and last) American tour in 1867. The tour was cut short by fatigue and illness, and Dickens never made it to the Midwest. Playwright DeVita rectifies this situation by bringing Dickens to Milwaukee.
The play takes place in a small vaudeville house (complete with red velvet curtains and crystal chandeliers above the audience members' heads). To make things even more authentic, Dickens is "lit" by faux footlights at the end of the stage. Dickens makes an impressive entrance as he strides toward a small podium at the center of the stage. He is tall, thin and dressed in the fashion of the day. He has wavy hair and a long, gray beard. There is a twinkle in his eye, especially as he recreates scenes from his books. Dickens started his career as an actor, and he seems to relish the opportunity to take on all the characters from his famous stories.
In addition to these readings, Dickens shares his own observations about life in general. In the playwright's imagination, Dickens' reflective mood is based on a recent decision to end his public appearances. He muses about how his characters took shape in his mind. He also recounts his own early years spent in poverty and parental neglect. Not surprisingly, Charles was a thin and sickly boy. He marvels at the fact that he turned out to be an accomplished author, one blessed with 10 children. "I could have easily become an Artful Dodger or a Fagin," he says, referring to the characters in "Oliver Twist." As the evening continues, Dickens begins referring to the audience as "my friends," and indeed, there's an intimate atmosphere during the performance as the hushed audience listens attentively to the author's remarks.
It almost goes without saying that James Ridge is terrific as Dickens. He flawlessly portrays the character. Although there's no real character development during the show, Ridge conveys the nuances of a man who realizes that most of life is behind him (and indeed, the real Dickens dies two years later). The show's highlight is the readings from "A Christmas Carol," as he takes on the characters of Scrooge, Bob Crachit, Scrooge's nephew, etc.
With the annual version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol playing a few blocks away, Dickens in America is the perfect complement.
