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.