The same plot in two spots

Tom Titus

Ebenezer Scrooge will still find the Christmas spirit, and Gracie

will still rediscover hers, but they’ll be doing so in new

surroundings this year.

For the first time in 23 years (for “A Christmas Carol”) and nine

years (for “La Posada Magica”), South Coast Repertory is presenting

its two holiday specials on different stages, after the remodeling of

its main theater, now the Segerstrom Stage, and the construction of

its new one, the Julianne Argyros Stage.

Audiences will notice some subtle differences in “A Christmas

Carol,” opening this weekend. The refurbished Segerstrom Hall will be

the site of scenic designer Tom Buderwitz’s multi-year redesign of

the Victorian world of the play, first created by Cliff Faulkner for

the show’s original production in 1980.

SCR has added a performance for the deaf, weekend matinees for

students and pre-show caroling by the Pacific Chorale at several

performances. But the show itself, directed by John-David Keller

since its inception, should be warmly familiar.

“La Posada Magica,” on the other hand, has more of an adjustment

to make for its opening next weekend. The first nine years of the

presentation were given on the theater’s Second Stage, with audience

on three sides.

This year, the Latino-flavored Christmas story will unfold on the

new proscenium stage at the Argyros, with Diane Rodriguez back to

direct. To adapt the popular production to its new home, SCR hired

designer Christopher Acebo, who is taking advantage of the new

theater’s technical enhancements.

Acebo worked with Rodriguez, costume designer Shigeru Yaji,

lighting designer Lonnie Alcarez and choreographer Linda Kostalik to

restage the holiday musical for a bigger theater and still keep it

intimate. The show’s connection with its audience is a large part of

its perennial appeal.

“La Posada” focuses on a young Mexican girl, Graciela, who has

lost her faith after her infant brother’s death, but who regains her

spirit during a magical “posada,” or procession celebrating the birth

of Christ.

This year will mark the return of Chrissy Guerrero, who played

Gracie from 1995 to 1998 -- but this time in the dual role of

Gracie’s mother and Mariluz, the pregnant “posadero” who serves as

Mary in the march.

Guerrero takes over for Teresa Velarde, who played the roles in

all eight previous productions. In the first year, Velarde herself

was pregnant with a son.

This year, Guerrero is expecting; she will have a child in 2003.

Tiffany Ellen Solano returns in the role of Gracie.

While “La Posada” is marked by changes, “A Christmas Carol” will

be altered very little beyond the new scenic backdrops. Hal Landon

Jr. will again head the cast as Scrooge, the role he created 22 years

ago and has played ever since. Familiar faces Richard Doyle, Art

Koustik, Martha McFarland, Howard Shangraw, Don Took and director

Keller will all be on board.

It wouldn’t be the Christmas season for theatergoers without “A

Christmas Carol” and “La Posada Magica” at South Coast Repertory.

More information on both productions, which play through Christmas

Eve, may be obtained by calling SCR at (714) 708-555 or online at

www.scr.org.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His

reviews and articles appear Thursdays and Saturdays.