EVEN ELVIS GETS INTO DICKENS : VARIATION OF CLASSIC IS DELIGHTFUL COMEDY.

Byline: Victoria Giraud Special to the Daily News

The Moorpark Melodrama offers a dickens of a time in its hilarious Christmas show, ``A Dickens of a Holiday'' playing through Dec. 22.

Take the Charles Dickens classic, ``A Christmas Carol,'' and mix in allusions to the TV shows ``I Love Lucy,'' ``Laverne and Shirley,'' ``The Brady Bunch,'' ``Let's Make a Deal'' and ``Bewitched.'' Add Elvis, Mr. Clean and the Avon lady. The result, faithful to the essential story, is a comical show for the entire family. I attended a matinee with an audience filled with young Scout troops, and the enthusiasm was infectious.

The playful and roguish Chris Carnicelli, as Scrooge, gets his comeuppance and learns to be a kinder, more generous man. Carnicelli almost gallops through his part in a colorful nightshirt and fuzzy pig slippers. Helping him see the light are the Spirits - shades of Elvis - of Christmas Past, Present and Future, all played by the dynamic and full-voiced Marlon Deveraux Robinson.

Robinson, an imposing figure, dresses sumptuously in different colorful robes for each turn as Spirit. Christmas Present has Christmas presents tacked all around the edges of his robe.

Marley, Scrooge's dead partner who urges him to change his ways, is played by an animated George P. Ramsay, who also doubles as one of the carolers, including Amy Sullivan, Cindy Poudrier and Scott Caster, appearing throughout the play.

The inimitable Tiny Tim is played by the saucy and lively Kelly McGowan. Denis Finnegan is amusing as Tiny Tim's father, Scrooge's beleaguered employee. The Feziwigs are vivaciously played by Ron and Judie Kewish.

Enhancing the Christmas spirit, familiar carols are sung throughout the play. This production features spirited choreography, and there's rhythmic marching music while members of the cast, stepping on beat, change the scenery. Andrea Gibbs was not only the creative force behind the choreography, but also she wrote and directs this humorous spoof.

The versatile, ensemble cast includes Cheryl Markillie as Carol Cratchit, Elaine Johns as Samantha, Karen Johns as Hazel and Alice, Ron Friedman as Santa, and the jaunty, young Sarah Grasso singing and dancing several parts.

THE FACTS

WHAT: ``A Dickens of a Holiday'' by Andrea Gibbs. Adapted by Andrea Gibbs and Scott Martin.

WHEN: Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. through Dec. 22.

WHERE: The Moorpark Melodrama, 45 E. High St., Moorpark.

COST: $13 per person.

INFORMATION: [phone], [phone].

CAPTION(S):

Photo

Photo: George P.Ramsey,left, as Marley, and Chris Carnicelli as Scrooge emote in ``A Dickens of a Holiday'' at the Moorpark Melodrama.