REVIEW: A Christmas Carol at Rockwell: The Sound of Christmas Getting Closer

There is a particular kind of urgency that comes with Christmas in the city. Not the loud, chaotic rush, but the quiet pressure that builds before you realize it has fully settled in. The kind you feel when you are driving along EDSA and suddenly notice Rockwell glowing again. Buildings outlined in light, deliberate and unmistakable, as if the city itself is reminding you that time is running short. Christmas is no longer approaching. It is already pressing in.

For decades, Rockwell has owned this seasonal signal. Long before dates on a calendar demand it, the holidays announce themselves through atmosphere and scale. When Power Plant Mall begins to shimmer in its signature elegance, you know Christmas has crossed an invisible threshold. This year, that feeling does not stop at the mall. Rockwell carries the tradition forward into its cultural spaces, reaching the Proscenium Theater through 9 Works Theatrical’s staging of A Christmas Carol.

It is an intentional choice to open the Proscenium’s holiday chapter with an ageless classic. Stories that have endured centuries do not require reinvention. They demand care, clarity, and heart.

Becoming Ebenezer Scrooge

Taking on Ebenezer Scrooge is not about force. It is about endurance. The audience must believe that a man shaped by bitterness and solitude can still be transformed in front of them. Arnel Carrion understands this responsibility. His portrayal is confident, grounded, and consistent, allowing Scrooge’s evolution to unfold naturally. From sharp dismissal to genuine reckoning, Carrion keeps the character firmly anchored, never letting him slip into exaggeration.

The emotional center of the second act arrives through the Ghost of Christmas Present, portrayed by Carmelle Ros. Her performance relies heavily on movement, using the body as a storytelling instrument. Each gesture feels intentional, guiding the narrative with grace and emotional clarity. The result is quietly powerful, drawing the audience inward rather than demanding reaction.

Jacob Marley’s arrival shifts the atmosphere entirely.

Boo Gabunada delivers a scene that is both haunting and visually striking. Thoughtfully constructed and rich in theatrical imagination, it showcases a level of stagecraft rarely attempted in local productions. It is not a scene that benefits from explanation. It is something that must be experienced firsthand, a moment that sets a new visual benchmark for Philippine theater.

Anchors Across Time

CJ Navato continues to prove his strength onstage as Young Ebenezer Scrooge. His performance is emotionally precise, standing out without pulling focus away from the larger arc. His scenes add depth and context, grounding Scrooge’s past with sincerity.

There is also a welcome sense of emotional balance in Anna Santamaria’s return to the stage as Mrs. Cratchit. Alongside John Joven Uy’s Mr. Cratchit, she brings warmth that feels lived in rather than staged. Their shared moments quietly underscore what gives Dickens’ story its lasting power.

The ensemble moves fluidly between scenes when not inhabiting named roles, maintaining the production’s narrative flow. A notable highlight is the integration of Richardson Yadao’s ballet background. These moments are met with genuine audience response, not for spectacle alone but for how naturally they elevate the storytelling.

Visuals, Sound, and Refinement

From a technical standpoint, A Christmas Carol at the Proscenium reaches ambitiously and largely succeeds. The projections and lighting create a strong visual identity, though a few moments would benefit from additional calibration. Certain projections appear slightly washed out, while some spotlight transitions could use more balance to ensure performers remain fully visible.

Sound design remains one of the Proscenium’s strongest assets. The venue continues to impress in audio quality. Minor tightening in vocal mixing could further sharpen clarity, particularly during ensemble-heavy sections where lyrics carry emotional nuance.

A Musical for a Season That Is Already Closing In

At its core, this is the kind of musical meant to be shared. A production designed not just to entertain, but to become part of a family’s Christmas memory. A Christmas Carol at Rockwell understands that the holidays are not defined by scale alone, but by time spent together.

Inside the Proscenium, with Rockwell glowing just beyond its walls, the message is clear.

Christmas is no longer waiting.

It is getting closer.

Just be mindful of the traffic.

A Christmas Carol is presented by Rockwell and 9 Works Theatrical and runs at the Proscenium Theater, Rockwell Center, Makati.

@unsaulicited From my L31 seat, the curtain call felt like a quiet confirmation. Christmas is getting closer. 🎄 A Christmas Carol at Rockwell is anchored by Arnel Carrion’s steady Scrooge, elevated by Boo Gabunada’s unforgettable Jacob Marley, and deeply moved by Carmelle Ros’ physical, emotionally guided storytelling. The ensemble flows seamlessly, and the Proscenium holds it all beautifully. Full review at unsaulicited dot blogspot dot com. A musical to watch with family. Plan for the traffic. #AChristmasCarolAtRockwell #AChristmasCarolMNL #9WorksTheatrical #ProsceniumTheater #TheaterTokPH #ChristmasMusical #TheaterTok #Unsaulicited #TodaysTicket #CurtainCall #RockwellChristmas #PHMusical #LiveTheaterPH ♬ original sound - Tito Saul