North Shore Music Theatre is set to present their award-winning production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Since its World Premiere in 1989, A CHRISTMAS CAROL has delighted more than a million people, including over 150,000 school children. A CHRISTMAS CAROL, will run from Friday, December 2 thru Friday, December 23, 2011. Press Night scheduled for December 2 at 7:30pm.
"It is wonderful to see generations of families and friends coming together to experience such a heart warming holiday tradition," said NSMT's owner and Producer Bill Hanney. "A Christmas Carol is an essential part of what we do, and every year we have so much fun with it. Our adaptation truly illustrates how magical musical theater can be."
With dazzling special effects that have grown even more exciting over time, traditional and original songs, and colorful costumes, A CHRISTMAS CAROL has become a holiday favorite throughout New England. Based on the Charles Dickens classic, A CHRISTMAS CAROL tells the tale of curmudgeonly miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Future hoping to change his destiny and save his soul. This brilliant musical, an original adaptation by former NSMT Artistic Director Jon Kimbell and members of the NSMT staff, follows Scrooge through a series of strange and magical journeys, where he ultimately discovers the true spirit of the holiday season.
This year's production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL will, one again, star NSMT Audience favorite David Coffee. This marks David's 18th year playing Ebenezer Scrooge at NSMT. The cast also includes Leigh Barrett (Ghost of Christmas Past, Mrs. Cratchit), Timothy John Smith (Ghost of Christmas Present, Man 1), Kevin Patrick Martin (Ghost of Christmas Future, Young Scrooge), Gordon Baird (Jacob Marley), Ryan Bates (Narrator), Russell Garrett (Bob Cratchit), Jeff Kuhr (Pearlie), Joe Moeller (Pearlie), Natasha Ashworth (Belle), Andy Jones (Fred), Cheryl McMahon (Mrs. Dilbur/ Mrs. Fezziwig), Beth Stafford Laird (Meg, Ensemble), J.T. Turner (Mr. Fezziwig/Man 2; u/s Scrooge), Andrea Collier (Ensemble), Stephanie Granade (Ensemble), Tommy Labanaris (Old Joe, Ensemble), and Patrick Ryan (Ensemble).
The cast of 30 will also feature young performers from many local communities including BEVERLY resident Zehava Younger (Fan), Age 11; CAMBRIDGE resident Ethan Hermanson (London Boy), Age 12; ESSEX resident Kendall Hersey (London Boy), Age 10; GLOUCESTER resident Katy Geraghty (Teen Caroler) Age 17; KENNEBUNKPORT (ME) resident Shae Kingston (Martha Cratchit), Age 14, MERRIMACK resident Bryan Marden (Peter Cratchit), Age 12, NEWBURYPORT resident Maggie Budzyna (Belinda Cratchit), Age 11; NORTH ANDOVER resident Kyle McAdam (Teen Caroler, Younger Scrooge), Age 15; PEABODY residents Jordyn Barry (London Boy), Age 9 and Sophia Brunet (Ignorance/Want), Age 10; REVERE resident Brandon Barbosa (Tiny Tim Cratchit), Age 10; WILMINGTON resident Sarah Gillespie(Ignorance/Want), Age 6.
The creative team for A CHRISTMAS CAROL includes John MacInnis (Director/Choreographer), Howard C. Jones (Original Scenic Designer), Paula Peasley Ninestein (Costume Coordinator), Jack Mehler (Lighting Designer), James R. McCartney (Sound Designer), Melissa Daroff (Production Stage Manager), Billy Sprague (Associate Director/Choreographer), Robert L. Rucinski (Assistant Musical Director), Natalie A. Lynch (Assistant Stage Manager).
Throughout the run of A CHRISTMAS CAROL NSMT will be collecting toys in the lobby for Tiny Tim's Toy Drive. NSMT will be accepting unopened, unwrapped toys for boys and girls ages 2 - 12. All toys will be donated to Toys for Tots.
Tickets for A CHRISTMAS CAROL are priced from $45 to $60. Performances are December 2 - December 23, 2011 (Evening shows December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 22, 23 at 7:30pm; Matinees December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 23 at 2pm). Tickets can be purchased by calling the North Shore Music Theatre Box Office at (978) 232-7200, via the website at www.nsmt.org or in person at 62 Dunham Road (Route 128, exit 19), Beverly, MA. Personal listening devices, large print programs available.
Additional Free Audience Enrichment events: OUT at the North Shore, an evening for the Gay and Lesbian Community with a post-show reception (sponsored in part by Ryan & Wood Inc. Distilleries and Sparkling Soirées) on December 16.
