Theater

Tom Titus

No matter where he is the rest of the year, Costa Mesa’s John-David

Keller is certain of one thing -- he’ll be home for Christmas.

That’s because “home” is South Coast Repertory, specifically the

theater’s mainstage, where Keller has been directing SCR’s holiday

production of “A Christmas Carol” for the past 20 years.

Keller, 61, was on board at the project’s inception in 1980 and has

guided the popular production ever since. He’s not alone in that regard:

Cast members Hal Landon Jr. (Scrooge) and Howard Shangraw (Fred) also

have participated in every production, and lighting designers Tom and

Donna Ruzika have illuminated every performance.

Currently Keller’s in rehearsal for the 20th incarnation of the classic

Charles Dickens fable, adapted two decades ago by SCR dramaturg Jerry

Patch in response to the theater’s intention to “do a special show for

the holiday season.”

“Special” proved to be an understatement. The show’s enormous popularity

necessitated repeated stagings. Landon became somewhat of a local legend

for his portrayal of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, whose Christmas

morning conversion never fails to delight audiences.

“The show has changed, subtly, over the years,” Keller said, noting that

the character of young Jacob Marley was inserted several seasons ago to

add more substance to the young Scrooge’s character. And, of course, some

of the principal roles -- though not that many considering the show’s

two-decade history -- have changed hands.

This year’s audiences will see the familiar specter of Marley’s ghost in

the form of Don Took, and the jolly Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig in the

personages of Art Koustik and Martha McFarland, as well as Richard Doyle

appearing as the spirit of Christmas past. All are SCR founding artists

who were aboard in 1965 and ’66 when the company first took root on the

Newport Beach bay front.

Most notable among the missing performers is John Ellington, who played

Bob Cratchit for the first 18 years before giving up the theater to enter

the ministry. This will be only the second “Carol” without his presence.

Keller -- a resident SCR artist and the only company member who both acts

and directs -- is a Johnny come lately by comparison. He’s “only” been

with SCR for 27 years, arriving in 1972 to stage a smash hit production

of “Godspell” as his introductory show.

During the rest of the year, Keller divides himself among various

projects, including the staging of the theater’s annual educational

touring production for local schools. He’s narrated programs for the

National Symphony Orchestra at the Orange County Performing Arts Center

and the Anaheim Ballet, and he spends his summers at the Sundance

Institute in Utah, where he recently played Mr. Bumble in “Oliver.”

SCR audiences last saw Keller in action on the Second Stage two seasons

ago as the randy Dr. Rance in “What the Butler Saw.” He’s also filled in

for many “Christmas Carol” actors -- including Landon -- over the past

two decades.

When he chats with audience members about the long-running show, the

question he’s most invariably asked most is, “Does Hal ever miss the

hat?” This is in reference to Landon’s athletic somersault on the bed

near the end of the play, donning his large topper in the process. The

bit inevitably draws applause.

“He only missed it once, and that was the first season,” Keller said. The

director noted that Landon had been a gymnast in college and was

perfectly capable of executing the maneuver, which always places an

exclamation point on Scrooge’s conversion.

This season, as the company celebrates its 20th annual “Carol,” cast

members from past productions have been invited to a special reunion

performance Dec. 8. And some of the children from earlier shows will be

showing up with kids of their own.

“We’re expecting to see a lot of the friends we’ve made over the years

return for this anniversary production,” Keller said.

“It’s always been a very popular show, because you can bring the entire

family to see it; there’s something in it for everybody.

“And,” he adds, “people who loved it in the ‘80s and early ‘90s will be

surprised to see how much it has grown. It’s the best Christmas story,

and we tell it very well.”WHAT: “A Christmas Carol”

WHERE: South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

WHEN: Wednesday through Dec. 26, performances Tuesdays through Fridays at

7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., Sundays at noon and 4 p.m.

HOW MUCH: $17-$39PHONE: (714) 708-5555