Review: Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol

Review: Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol | Elemental Theatre Company | Pluss Theatre, Denver, CO | Curtain Up! | Eric Fitzgerald | December 9, 2025

Elemental Theatre Company’s production of Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol by Tom Mula, directed by Selena A. Naumoff, marks a significant milestone for Denver’s theatre scene. Performed at the Pluss Theatre in the Mizel Arts and Cultural Complex, this show signals the arrival of a new company eager to enrich the city’s lively performing arts community.

The emergence of Elemental Theatre Company is itself cause for celebration: new voices and fresh perspectives are essential to maintaining and growing Denver’s cultural landscape. Their choice of Mula’s reimagining of Dickens’ classic story shows a willingness to explore material that combines tradition with innovative storytelling, and their presence on the horizon signals future opportunities for growth, experimentation, and community engagement.

Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol reimagines Dickens’ well-known story by shifting the focus to Marley (B. Glick) himself. Condemned to eternal chains, Marley is given one last chance at redemption: to save his former partner Ebenezer Scrooge (C. Troy Fluhr) from the same fate. Guided by the Bogle (Maggie Wingate) and overseen by Record Keeper (Daniel Van Note), Marley begins a journey that forces him to face his past and confront the choices that imprisoned him. In this version, Scrooge’s transformation reflects Marley’s own struggle for release, creating a parallel tale of forgiveness and renewal that enriches the classic Christmas story.

Left to Right: B. Glick as Marley; C. Troy Fluhr as Scrooge | Photo Selena A. Naumoff

Glick, Fluhr, Wingate, and Van Note form a cohesive ensemble, each contributing with clarity and commitment to Tom Mula’s reimagined tale. Their performances balance character work with storytelling, creating a unified rhythm that guides the audience through Marley’s journey. Director Selena A. Naumoff shapes the production with thoughtful pacing and a clear vision, while her lighting design adds a refined touch—subtle yet effective in setting mood and atmosphere. Together, the ensemble and Naumoff’s dual contributions give the piece its sense of cohesion and theatrical presence, further enhanced by original music from Larry Schanker and sound design by Robert Neuhaus.

This Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol is a minimalist production, presented without the usual bells and whistles often seen in holiday shows. Still, its simplicity highlights the energy and enthusiasm that Elemental Theatre Company brings to the stage. As a new company entering Denver’s theater scene, they bring dedication and vitality to the holiday season—offering fresh ideas and adding a lively spirit to the community’s cultural landscape. Running through December 20, it’s an admirable choice for holiday entertainment.

For information and tickets: https://elementaltheatrecompany.org/