In NSMT’s ‘Carol,’ Coffee’s Scrooge sets the tone

By Rich Fahey

BEVERLY – The Texan sets the tone, just as he has for almost three decades. And everyone seems to follow. And the result is a theatrical explosion of Christmas spirit that lifts every heart that sees it.

In a recent interview, Russell Garrett, playing Bob Cratchit for the 12^th time in the North Shore Music Theatre’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,”  said that David Coffee, a resident of Arlington, Texas — playing Ebenezer Scrooge for the 29^th time through Dec. 23  – is the one he looks to when charting his own course.

 “He comes in and inhabits his character,” he said.  “From the first day of rehearsal he will give you his opening night performance. I have to up my game because he’s already there and elevates everyone in the room to try and meet him.”

And meet him they do, with the other key performers onstage again with Coffee forming the nucleus of a show that has known nothing but success since it debuted in 1989. The adaptation written by NSMT’s longtime executive producer and artistic director Jon Kimbell, assisted by NSMT staffers s David James and David Zoffoli, has been presented every year since then with three exceptions; the 2024 production will mark the 35^th anniversary of its debut.

In her 29^th appearance in the production, Cheryl McMahon has long since mastered the roles of Mrs. Fezziwig and, especially, beleaguered housekeeper Mrs. Dilber. The scenes between she and Coffee as Scrooge have become comic gold, along with the scenes when Scrooge interacts with Garrett as Bob Cratchit and with Bronson Norris Murphy as Scrooge’s nephew Fred, returning for the seventh time.

J.T. Turner marks his 13^th time playing Mr. Fezziwig and one of the philanthropists who calls on Scrooge. Tommy Labanaris is rejoining the show and playing the Narrator for the seventh time in 10 appearances while Murphy is Scrooge’s nephew Fred for the seventh time. Leigh Barrett, a member of the original cast in 1989, is back as Mrs. Cratchit and The Ghost of Christmas Past, a part of the company for the 13^th time.

As befitting the show’s sub-title as “a musical ghost story,” Carrington Vilmont makes for a terrifying Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s long-dead business partner whose spectacular flight, ghastly visage and chain-rattling often sends youngsters scurrying for cover.

Newcomers and other returnees play a big part in this year’s show. Davron S. Monroe is a welcome presence as he takes over the roles of The Ghost of Christmas Present and a philanthropist. Tommy Labanaris returns to the role of the warm and welcome Narrator for the 7^th time in 10 appearances. Billy Goldstein returns as Old Joe, the poultry shop owner and pawnbroker who kicks up his heels with McMahon in the number “Isn’t it Grand, Boys?”

Jack Gimpel as young Scrooge and Turner Riley as  Belle shine in the heartbreaking scene when their engagement ends; Riley is also a warm presence as Meg, Fred’s wife.

Young actors are well represented, especially with the Cratchit family: Isabella Carroll as Martha Cratchit; Brady Murphy as Peter Cratchit; Adalyn Daly as Belinda Cratchit; and Stella Centore and Ainsley Moulton as Tiny Tim.

Special mention to the spectacular “Pearlies,” the spirits loosely based on the Cockney street buskers of London, wonderfully portrayed  by Michael Olaribigbe and Drew Porrett.

This  “musical ghost story,” as NSMT likes to describe it,  is also owes a great debt to the music —  original music by  Alby Potts and James Woodland, who worked with Kimball on the adaptation — as well as the traditional carols and period pieces, gorgeously performed by the 10-ppieve orchestra led by  Milton Granger.

Without the traditional proscenium stage to serve as a backdrop, NSMT’s in-the-round productions tend to up the ante when it comes to costumes, projections, lighting and sound, and this production is constantly enhancing and upgrading its special effects, upping the excitement level.

In an interview with WGBH’s Jared Bowen, Coffee described his character  as a “hurting soul”  and said that while  he has changed through his decades playing the character, the character of Scrooge himself hasn’t changed.

His consistency through the years has been remarkable and becomes a compass and guiding light that shows the cast the way forward.

Scrooge’s joyous redemption at the end of the show – refined through the years with McMahon and other cast members — remains a primer in combining acting and comedy. It should be preserved and presented to aid anyone planning to attempt the role.

NSMT owner Bill Hanney has already announced that the theater will celebrate the 35^th anniversary of its “Carol” adaptation next year, when both Coffee and McMahon will mark their 30^th years in their respective roles.

This “Carol” is more than a show. It has become a rock-solid holiday tradition for what is now multiple generations of theater-goers.

The North Shore Music Theatre production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Adapted by Jon Kimbell, assisted by David James and David Zoffoli. Original music composed and arranged by Alby Potts and James Woodland. Directed and choreographed by Kevin P. Hill. Original scenic design by Howard C. Jones. Lighting design by Jack Mehler. Sound design by Leon Rothenberg. Costume coordination and additional costume design by Kelly Baker. Original hair and wig design by Gerard Kelly. Projection design by Pamela Hersch.  Music direction by Milton Granger. At the North Shore Music Theatre through Dec. 23. nsmt.org.