BWW REVIEW: 'A CHRISTMAS CAROL' IS A TIMELESS TRADITION AT NORTH SHORE MUSIC THEATRE

Adapted for the stage from the Charles Dickens novella by Jon Kimbell; assisted by David James and David Zoffoli; featuring traditional music of the season and original music composed and arranged by Alby Potts and James Woodland; scenic design, Howard C. Jones; costume coordinator, Paula Peasley-Ninestein; lighting designer, Jack Mehler; sound design, Leon Rothenberg; hair and wig design, Gerard Kelly; music direction, Mark Hartman; choreography, Billy Sprague, Jr.; directed by Arianna Knapp

Cast:

The Scrooges: David Coffee, Ebeneezer Scrooge; Kevin PatRick Martin, Young Scrooge and The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come; Kyle McAdam, Boy Scrooge; Patrick Ryan, Fred; Stephanie Granade, Meg; Marlana Dunn, Belle; Julia Yameen, Fan

The Cratchits: Ryan Bates, The Narrator (Tiny Tim in his mid-20s); Russell Garrett, Bob Cratchit; Leigh Barrett, Mrs. Cratchit and The Ghost of Christmas Past; Shae Kingston, Martha Cratchit; Giacomo Favazza, Peter Cratchit; Emma Joanis, Belinda Cratchit; Sophia Joan Wustin, Tiny Tim and Little Ebeneezer

The Spirits: Matt Allen, Jacob Marley; Leigh Barrett, The Ghost of Christmas Past; George Dvorsky, The Ghost of Christmas Present and Gentleman 1; Kevin PatRick Martin, The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, and Young Scrooge; Sarah Gillespie and Emily Sousa, Ignorance and Want; Nathaniel Braga and Joshua Keith, The Pearlies

The Fezziwigs: J.T. Turner, Mr. Fezziwig and Gentleman 2; Cheryl McMahon, Mrs. Fezziwig and Mrs. Dilber

Revelers, Townsfolk, Parasites and Others: Tommy Labanaris, Old Joe and pawnbroker; Brandon Barbosa and Jordyn Barry, London Kids; John Budzyna, Dick Wilkins; John Budzyna, Andrea Collier, Stephanie Granade, Laura Helm, Tommy Labanaris, Kyle McAdam, and Coco Rich, Residents of London

Performances and Tickets:

North Shore Music Theatre, 62 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA; continues December 14, 15, 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 pm; December 15, 16, 22 and 23 at 2 pm; tickets priced from $45 to $60, available at the Box Office, online at www.nsmt.org, or by calling 978-232-7200

If there's a better stage version of Charles Dickens' perennial holiday ghost tale A Christmas Carol than the one produced by the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Mass., I haven't seen it. Rich with traditional and original music, haunting special effects, gorgeous period costumes and a splendid cast and orchestra, this musical adaptation by former NSMT artistic director Jon Kimbell delivers fresh and uplifting insights into the true meaning of Christmas year after year.

Jan Nargi is owner and creative director of JMN Publications, a marketing and public relations firm based in Boston, Mass. She provides consultation, communications, and writing services to clients in the health care, entertainment, financial, retail, manufacturing, non-profit, and sports industries. As a freelance writer, Jan has had hundreds of articles published in business and high-tech magazines. Theatrically, she has reviewed, written, directed, acted, produced, sung, danced, managed publicity, pounded nails, and designed lighting and sets. Jan has even acted in the occasional B-movie, playing a zombie, a psycho shrink, and a clueless news reporter. You may visit her on the web at www.jmnpublications.com.

More Articles by This Author...