35 years later. it’s time to sing ‘Carol’s’ praises

By Rich Fahey

BEVERLY – For everyone involved with North Shore Music Theatre’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” it is a time to celebrate.

The show has known nothing but success since it debuted in 1989. The adaptation written by NSMT’s longtime executive producer and artistic director Jon Kimball, assisted by NSMT staffers David James and David Zoffoli, has been presented every year since then with three exceptions. The current production is marking the 35^th anniversary of its debut.

The foundation of the piece is so solid, director /choreographer Kevin P. Hill, helming the show for the 10^th time, can actually focus his attention on details and The Little Things that help make the show new and fresh each year.

At the core of the show are two of its rocks: Texan David Coffee as Ebenezer Scrooge and Cheryl McMahon of Marblehead as Mrs. Fezziwig and Mrs. Dilber, Scrooge’s housekeeper, both celebrating their 30^th appearances in the production.

At a recent performance, Coffee as Scrooge entered the stage to warm applause. He has long since mastered the nuances of the role but is also searching for ways to improve; an extra laugh there, or the kind of sheer joy in the end that will bring a tear to your eye.

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.

He and McMahon are so grounded in their scenes together – just before The Spirits arrive on the scene and then later, when Scrooge is undergoing his Redemption — they can, as they have through the years, tweak and experiment, find out what works, and then incorporate it into their performances.

But it takes many hands to tell the tale, as Coffee would be the first to tell you. They get support from many corners. Bronson Norris Murphy, the co-director, is warm and wonderful presence as Fred, Scrooge’s nephew who annually attempts – and fails – to put Scrooge in the holiday spirit.

The Spirits themselves are in good hands. Carrington Vilmont is one scary dude as Jacob Marley, flying above the stage and issuing blood0curdling howls as he rattles his chains and attempts to scare Scrooge straight. Kerry Conte makes the Ghost of Christmas Past and Mrs. Cratchit welcome presences, while Davron S, Monroe lends a towering voice and pleasant manner to his portrayal of the Ghost of Christmas Present. Jack Gimpel does double duty, first as Young Scrooge in the heartbreaking scene with his fiancée Belle (Turner Riley) and later as the foreboding Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come; Riley also plays Fred’s wife, Meg.     

Tommy Labanaris holds forth as the warm-hearted Narrator, a part created by Kimbell and Co.  Kevin Patrick Martin shines in his scenes at home as Bob Cratchit as well as his time with Scrooge; his encounter with the changed Scrooge late in the show is a comic highlight. Nichole Forde and Liesl Jare are the energetic, enigmatic Pearlies, spirits who derive from the tradition of London street performers. Russell Garrett is the wonderful Mr. Fezziwig and, along with Monroe, are the philanthropists who call Scrooge. Billy Goldstein is Joe Miller, a poulterer and, later, a nefarious pawnbroker.

Young people are and always have been indispensable to production. Because of laws passed to protect them, each year NSMT compiles two complete casts of young actors. They put in many hours of rehearsal and have a busy performance schedule in the month of December, perhaps the busiest month of the year for most people.

So it is time to recognize the many young people who are learning from some of the best in the business while they are entertaining thousands.The  two casts of local youth performers this year are Stella Centore and Ainsley Moulton as Tiny Tim/ Want, Patrick Naughton and Jackson Wisco as Peter Cratchit, Lydia Bogdanovitch and Isabella Carroll as Martha Cratchit, Alexandra D’Onofrio and Madeline Frontierro as Belinda Cratchit, Helen M. Brady and Regan Shanahan as Fan, Jack Baumrind and Graham Layton as Boy Scrooge/ Iggy, Gavin Abbott and Brogan Rourke as London Child #1, & Adalyn Daly and Grace Olah as London Child #2.

Those who attend “Carol” annually often point to the music, led by Music Director Milton Granger, overseeing a nonpareil 10-piece orchestra stationed all around the theater, performing a panoply of holiday music, along with original compositions by Alby Potts and James Woodland from Kimbell’s 1989 staff.

The other production values are simply sublime. NSMT’s new projection system lifts Pamela Hersch’s projections to new heights. Important contributions come from Howard C. Jones’ scenic design, Rebecca Glick’s costume coordination and additional costume design, Jack Mehler’s lighting and additional scenic design, Leon Rothenberg’s sound design, and original hair and wig design by Gerad Kelly.  

Creating the total “Christmas Carol” experience for the audience requires many people working together. In the spirit of “The 12 Days of Christmas,” NSMT Marketing Director Mike Ceceri lists the following approximate numbers:

• 24 creatives
• 35 Performers
• 8 additional musicians
• 48 production crew
• 33 Facilities crew
• 38 House staff/ushers
• 14 Box Office Staff
• 15 Concessions staff
• 10 Administration staff

“The holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year as family and friends come together to take part in their traditions. I am always blown away with the number of groups that come together year after year to celebrate the holidays with our production of A Christmas Carol,” said NSMT’s owner and producer Bill Hanney. “We are ready to share the magic of the holidays with our devoted audiences.”

Through the years, “A Christmas Carol” has not lost a step and in many ways is better than ever. Once again, there is a lot to celebrate.

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. 22. nsmt.org.