Notes of ‘Carol’ may have changed, but magic hasn’t

By Rich Fahey

BEVERLY – When the North Shore Music Theatre completed its first-ever season as a year-round theater producing its own shows, the theater’s adaptation of the Charles Dickens novella “A Christmas Carol” was the star at the top of the Christmas tree.

In the 36 years since it was first presented on Dec. 7, 1989 and the 32 years since I first saw the show in December 1993, it has evolved and changed in many ways as actors, directors and designers have come and gone. Yes, the notes of the “Carol” may have changed, but the magic still remains.

As technology has marched ever forward, it has seen dramatic improvements in such areas as special effects, lighting and sound. But through the years, the show has retained a certain consistency which has kept people coming back again and again, Now, in 2025, the latest production still shines.

Much of that is attributed to two actors who have each logged more than 600 performances: David Coffee, the affable Texan who stars as Ebenezer Scrooge, and Cheryl McMahon of Swampscott as his housekeeper, Mrs. Dilber, both of whom are in their 31^st productions of the work.

They anchor the show and have long since gotten used to putting their roles away and re-opening them around Thanksgiving.

“It’s like being in a long run with an 11-month gap each year,” said McMahon.

“You can come to the set at the first rehearsal and be comfortable right away,” said Coffee.

The show remains true to the vision of Jon Kimbell, the retired artistic director of NSMT who created the adaptation to celebrate the theater’s first year-round season. Virtually every member of that staff was involved in helping the theater to grow from a summer operation to a year-round arts organization that became one of the most successful theaters in the country.

The consistency of the production, a key to its success, is no accident. It remains true to Dickens’s work and to Kimbell’s adaptation. “Our show has remained tied to the story itself,” Coffee said.

So those who come to the public performances or the thousands of schoolchildren from around the North Shore at the children’s matinees will once again enjoy the work of Coffee, whose magical transformation at the end remains a brilliant bit of acting, and McMahon, whose scenes with Coffee are comic gold.

As always, the duo have plenty of support. Tommy Labanaris is the welcoming narrator of the piece with a secret. The spirits are well represented by Mark Worth as a terrifying Jacob Marley; Daniella Dalli as the majestic Ghost of Christmas Past; Davron S. Monroe as the short-lived Ghost of Christmas and Nathan Haltiwanger as the unwelcome Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Christopher Polisano is Joe Miller, a purveyor of poultry and an unsavory pawnbroker.

Henry Thrasher is a genial Fred, Scrooge’s nephew whose Christmas invitations to Scrooge fall on deaf ears. Caroline Siegrist is a welcome presence as Scrooge’s one-time fiancée Belle and Meg, Fred’s bride.

Kevin Patrick Martin as Bob Cratchit and Dalli in a dual role as Mrs. Cratchit lead the Cratchit clan; Russell Garrett is a genial Mr. Fezziwig and he and the aforementioned Monroe are the unlucky philanthropists who call upon Scrooge.

At a recent performance, Amy Bransky and Brianna Fallon were the Pearlies, mischievous spirits in the style of the London street buskers, who help move the story forward.

The young actors who have taken the time and made the effort (along with their parents!)  to be a vital part of this production all deserve to be mentioned: They are: Piper Lane, Corinne Sweeney, Adalyn Daly, Grace Olah, Joseph Hobbib, Nicholas Shay, Jack Baumrind, Bentley Scott, Alexandra D’Onofrio, Ella Tugender, Fiona Kelly, Ainsley Mouton, Violet Black, Helen M. Brady, Penelope Kaminsky, Regan Shanahan, Chris Graham, Christopher Isolano, Meaghan Lewis-Michelson, Henry H. Miller, Emily Song Tyler and Nicole Weitzman.

NSMT Artistic Director Kevin P. Hill again directs and choreographs, and he has proven an able steward of the production since Bill Hanney bought the theater in 2010 and made restoring “A Christmas Carol” one of his first orders of business.

The elements that many have praised through the decades have remained intact.   Milton Granger again leads a superb orchestra, performing all around the theater a lovely collection of pieces of original music composed and arranged by former NSMT staffers Alby Potts and James Woodland, accompanied by classic period carols that perfectly complement each other.

In an interview a year ago, Kimbell stressed the importance of the show in making a name for the theater. “It was the production that anchored our first year-round season and our collaboration literally helped us all become a unified company of artists, craftspeople and administrative staff.”

He credited the “founder of the feast” for his adaptation’s success. “First of all, we owe Charles Dickens the most credit. Almost every word of our script is taken directly from Dickens’ novella. His masterpiece simply touches the heart and connects with our deep desire to share our lives with others.”

On a recent Sunday performance, traditions were observed. Coffee got his customary ovation upon his entrance and after the curtain call, embarked on his longtime custom of taking a “victory lap” around the stage to greet friends new and old.  

The show not only helped put NSMT on the map; it is being presented, 36 years later, with the same loving care, and attention to detail. Yes, the notes of this “Carol” may have changed through the years, but the magic is still the same.

The North Shore Music Theatre production of “A Christmas Carol.” Adaptation by Jon Kimbell, assisted by David James and Jason Woodland, based on the novella by Charles Dickens. Directed and choreographed by Kevin P. Hill, with some original choreography by John MacInnis. Music direction by Milton Granger.  At The North Shore Music Theatre through Dec. 21. Nsmt.org.