Aral Gribble, The Dramatic Actor

The set-up for “A Christmas Carol: The Radio Show” is a tantalizing idea for a rip-roaring comedy but might lead us down the wrong path.

The latest Williamston Theatre production, which plays through December 22^nd, stars a Lansing theater favorite, Aral Gribble in the one-man show.

The premise for the story is simple enough – a local radio show has an annual tradition of presenting Dickens’ beloved “A Christmas Carol” live, using a full cast and in-house band.  The problem is there is a huge storm outside and the only person able to get to the studio is Bob Bennett (Gribble), the sound effects guy. 

And there you have it. Bennett proceeds to go through the entire play, playing every part.  In addition, he is surrounded by racks and tables filled with every kind of noise maker imaginable to accompany him in telling the Dickens classic.

One would think, with that basis for a play, combined with the presence of the outrageously funny Aral Gribble known for over-the-top comedy, that the WT audience would be rolling in the aisles due to physical gags.

But what the audience receives, is a classic story that everyone knows, told by a brilliant and nuanced storyteller. A narrator who keeps the audience totally engaged for 90 minutes. 

Gribble uses several flavors of British accents and the characters are totally believable.

If you expect to see broad comedy (certainly a Gribble specialty) with him running around, falling all over himself to play the dozens of sound effects, you’ll be disappointed.  In fact, Gribble is in total control, playing each bell, wind machine, chain, chime, walking shoe, etc. like a master musician performing on his instruments. No pratfalls here.

I am certain that the WT crew cleared all the shelves of Williamston’s famous antique stores to find all of these unique props which add plenty of color to the play.

With the help of director John Lepard (who knows a thing about one-man Christmas shows, starring in “It’s A Wonderful Life” at Williamston twice) Gribble does not go for the laughs, he goes for the story. Humor is certainly present, but the story is king.

Yes, the sound effect collection gives the somber tale a certain lightness and watching Gribble make sense of it all the crazy doodads is delightful, however the centerpiece of the performance is Gribble's acting.

Gribble was able to find a distinctive voice for each character (as well as a physical image) and stayed with it throughout the play.  His voice sometimes rumbled like a large gravel truck, shook the rafters with its sheer volume and whispered like a bird.  Gribble’s voice was a character in itself.

But in the end, Gribble was a storyteller, a virtuoso storyteller.  “A Christmas Carol” has lots of emotions – joy, fright, anger, warmth, suspense and, more – and Gribble captured them all.

If there is one criticism of the play, it comes at the very first few minutes.  When Gribble’s character first learns that he has to do the entire play himself, he exhibits no nervousness or apprehensive.  He just went ahead like he had rehearsed for this for weeks. 

It would have been effective if we the audience could have felt his fear and trepidation when faced with performing the play LIVE for the very first time by himself.

But, that one drawback will be forgotten.  The main thing the audience will remember for this memorable show is the classic Christmas  tale told with subtle humor, warmth and sensitivity, demonstrating that Aral Gribble is a great actor, not only a great comic actor.