Amy Gorelow brings the one-person show to life with a twist on the original Dickens.

Occasionally, one person is entertaining enough to mesmerize listeners for two hours through masterful storytelling — particularly when that person is an accomplished actor. Such is the case with Amy Gorelow performing 18 roles in the one-woman show: Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol.

The experienced Chicago-based artist debuts in Breckenridge armed with degrees in theater and English literature. She’s a graduate of the music program at Second City, and her improv and acting skills shine throughout what essentially is a two-hour monologue, with varying accents and tones.

While Summit County’s only two live theaters are both presenting shows featuring an actor playing more than 10 roles this season, the Backstage takes a distinctly dramatic approach. (Theatre SilCo’s Murder for Two approaches the holiday spirit in a more fanciful fashion.) Both are quality productions, which obviously differ in mood and theme — though they also both offer some comic relief.

Due to its more dramatic story, Director Jamal Howard injects just a bit of humor, in part, to allow Gorelow to literally catch her breath and remain hydrated throughout her hefty lift of a show. She initially emerges upon stage with a cute, humble little wave, then launches the audience into captivating tension, stating: “Marley was dead, to begin with…” When she does pause for a drink of water, we accept it humorously, along with a few other amusing lines and actions.

As narrator, she walks us through a twist on the beloved Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol — here told from the point of view of his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley. As in the original tale, Marley once again visits Scrooge as a ghost, but this time, he plays a much larger role. After all, his very afterlife depends upon it: He has 24 hours to change Scrooge’s heart for the better, to earn redemption for both souls.

Photo: Curtis DeVore

Gorelow seamlessly embodies 18 characters, whom most dominantly comprise Marley, Marley’s pixie-like spirit guide, the heavenly realm’s gatekeeper and, of course, Scrooge himself. Though she seamlessly transitions between the distinct parts — which literally range from an angel to a lost soul, on a dime — at the preview Dec. 11, there were a few times I had trouble tracking why she wasn’t narrating with an American-accented female voice, as opposed to Marley’s male British dialect.

Overall, the evening is highly enchanting from the very beginning, as she lights a real candle (refreshing and era-appropriate) that burns throughout the story. The tale she spins — and embodies through simple props, from the likes of vintage reading glasses to chains, an overcoat and a ghostly scarf — transports you into a trance-like state, as you soak in the story like an older child sitting around a campfire, or, in this case, within a cozy and traditional British den, fireplace ablaze.

While the costumery is fairly simple, it subtly adds to the ambiance. The set and lighting play significant roles to sweep audiences into this otherly world. Moonlight shines in through windows, a fireplace glows and lighting upon Gorelow’s body and face support her delightful — and sometimes terrifying — character transformations.

The end is beautiful, with stars shining, souls redeemed and a verbal blessing that sums up the true holiday spirit.

Note: Though the age recommendation is 7 years and older, I personally would refrain from bringing a younger child. It obviously depends on the fright level and sensitivity of your child, but this production could get a bit overwhelming for young children as Gorelow projects her many voices very loudly and dramatically at times. It includes sights of a person wearing chains and a character madly throwing books from shelves and is generally a little spooky overall. I would want my child to be at least 10 or 12.