Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Current artistic director Kevin Hill directs this year’s presentation of its favorite holiday show once again. He also directed “Mamma Mia”, the megahit at NSMT this past summer for four sold out weeks. “Christmas Carol” is the tale of curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by the ghosts of Jacob Marley,Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come who hope to change his destiny and to save his soul. Audiences are taken on a strange and magical journey with Scrooge that helps him regain his exuberance for the true meaning of Christmas once more. Bill spares no expense in bringing this splendid heartwarming tale to audiences for his ninth year. Kevin and his cast and crew delivers the goods with audiences leaping to their feet at the curtain call. They are moved to laughter and tears at all the appropriate moments. Bravo once again on a job very well done!
Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre’s holiday show this yearis the 28th Anniversary production of “A Christmas Carol, A Musical Ghost Story” which is an annual favorite. This version of this well-known holiday tale was written by former NSMT artistic director Jon Kimball which headapted back in 1989. A Christmas Carol is a timeless story that still resonates with people of all ages and carries a message that is as genuine and poignant now as it was when it was first written back in 1843. This splendid musical version captures the true spirit and meaning of the holiday season for one and all. David Coffee returns in triumph for his 25th time of playing Scrooge. Audiences have been lucky once more this season by seeing David in “Mame” and as always are beyond thrilled that he is returning to this iconic role once again.
The special effects are even more dazzling and amazing. Kevin not only blocks and directs this show marvelously, he also choreographs it,too. He creates high energy dances that captivate the audience. Kevin has an adept eye for both comic and dramatic situations which brings out the best in his 27 member cast. Although there are many comic moments in the show, itis the pathos that captures your heart during the Christmas season, tugging on your heartstrings and bringing tears to your eyes when they happen. This is the definitive version of “A Christmas Carol” which should be seen by audiences of all ages. Musical director, Milton Granger conducts a magnificent ten piece orchestra and taught the talented cast the lush and beautiful harmonies of Christmas with the choral effect being superb.
David Coffee delivers a tour-de-force performance once again as this iconic character for his 25th season. He makes the part fresh and new each of the nine years I’ve seen this show at NSMT. David mines each layer of this character fabulously from start to finish. His comic moments include yelling at his nephew, Fred, his employee, Bob Cratchit, the almsmen and the carolers to shut up when they start to sing in his office. However it is the dramatic moments that will enthrall you thoroughly which include Fan’s death, the breakup with Belle, the astonishing transformation sequence and most definitely the death of Tiny Tim with strong performances from the Cratchit family. These segments make you cry no matter how many times you have seen this version of the show whether it be your first time, eighth time or even more. David makes you believe in Scrooge’s reformation and embodies this character magnificently.Bravo on another outstanding job as Ebenezer Scrooge.
Tommy Labanaris returns to the Narrator role for the fifth year ina row but is his eighth season with this show. Last year he played the lead in “Young Frankenstein” at NSMT, displaying he can handle a farcical role, too. He displays his strong voice in the opening number and in the emotionally draining “Little Child” song during the death of Tiny Tim. He and the incomparable Leigh Barrett sing this song and there isn’t a dry eye in the entire audience. Two acrobatic dancers called the Pearlies are played fantastically by Cameron Hobbes and Parker Krug. They do incredible tumbling, somersaults, ballet movements while sprinkling magical dust throughout London, spooking Mrs.Dilbur, transporting Scrooge and the other ghosts through town. Freddie Kimmel also returns to NSMT and is frightening as Jacob Marley as he flies overhead. Marley hovers over the audience while warning Scrooge to change his ways. The special effects of pyrotechnics are by Atlas Fireworks and the flying effects are by ZFX. Freddie also a Proud Cancer Survivor!
The three ghosts are led by Leigh Barrett as Christmas Past. It isher ninth year with this musical and she makes each role fresh and new with each performance. I reviewed her as Reno Sweeney in “Anything Goes” this past July and she was a force to be reckoned with in that show, too. Leigh is a striking red head who wears a high head piece as the ghost and she displays a gorgeous soprano voice in her opening number”A Dream within a Dream.” She chides Scrooge during the Fan segment and the Fezziwig scene when he used to enjoy Christmas. Grace Olah plays Fan and Wade Gleeson Turner plays Boy Scrooge where we learn Fan died in childbirth. Ryan Mardesich plays Young Scrooge while Joy Clark plays Belle. They shine in their roles especially the breakup segment while displaying their strong acting chops. I last reviewed Joy and Ryan in these roles last year. Also Ryan and Joy are dating in real life and moved to NYC in August.
Peter Adams returns in triumph for his fifth year as Christmas Present. He towers over everyone while on stilts. Peter has a phenomenal tenor voice which soars in “The Boar’s Head Carol” and in “The Gloucestershire Carol.” Ryan also plays Christmas Yet to Come and transforms himself into a statue of Young Scrooge during the transformation scene. The biggest scene stealer in this show is Cheryl McMahon as Mrs. Dilburand Mrs. Fezziwig. Some of her comic moments as Dilbur occur when she’s scared by the Pearlies with a flying blanket, Scrooge’s coat and hat being thrown ather, holding a crucifix when he acts wacky on Christmas Day and when she and Scrooge blow kisses to each other from the open window. Cheryl also sings”Isn’t It Grand, Boys”, a bawdy and naughty song about Scrooge being dead. She also does an energetic polka with J.T. Turner as her jolly husband, Mr. Fezziwig. I last reviewed J.T in “Anything Goes” at Reagle as Moonface Martin which shows he can play other roles besides this one.These two roles are some of the best and Cheryl’s been portraying them for 25years. I last reviewed her as the Female Authority figure in”Hairspray” earlier this season.
Andrew Tighe returns for his fourth consecutive year and his second year to play Fred, Scrooge’s nephew. He is tall, blond and handsome and displays his strong tenor voice with Lianne Gennaco who plays Meg and has a terrific soprano voice. Their song is “Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day” where Lianne’s voice soars up to a high G. Two years ago she appeared on Broadway in “Candide.” Andrew also has some comic moments in the opening when he encourages the young carolers to annoy his cantankerous uncle and in the present when he describes his uncle’s bad behavior to her party guests. I last reviewed Andrew in “Jekyll and Hyde” at NSMT as Archibald Proops in September.
The Cratchit family shine in their roles. Russell Garrett and Leigh Barrett return for their eighth year as Bob and Mrs. Cratchit. They handle their comic and dramatic moments splendidly. His comic moments take place at the start of the show, the first family scene and at the end of the show when he faints when Scrooge gives him a raise. Russell’s best dramatic moment occurs with Tiny Tim’s death scene when he tries to boost his family’s spirits and breaks down in tears. Leigh tugs at your heartstrings in her emotion packed “The Little Child” with the Narrator. Blond-haired A.J. Scott who is 8 years old plays Tiny Tim excellently. He is as cute asa button and a very good actor at an early age. A.J. returns again to portray this classic role and earlier this season was in “Peter Pan” as Michael. His siblings are well played by 17 year old Nicole Talbot as Martha, Asher Navisky as Peter and Isabella Carroll as Belinda. They also display strong acting chops in both comic anddramatic family scenes. Other returning young performers include Jake Flynn whoplayed Charlie on Broadway in “Willy Wonka”, Patrick in”Mame” and John in “Peter Pan” at NSMT, Jake’s younger brother, Joseph Flynn who was in it in 2016 and Cam Perrin who has been init for five years and also appeared in “Peter Pan” this summer. Another comic performer is Bobby Conte who is wonderful as Old Joe. He has a strong baritone voice which soars in “Isn’t It Grand, Boys.” So for a phenomenal production of this classic tale,be sure to catch “A Christmas Carol, A Musical Ghost Story” right here at North Shore Music Theatre before Scrooge and his cronies fly out of town for good. Run do not walk to the box office before the run is completely sold out. It will definitely get you into the Christmas spirit for people of all ages. Tell them Tony sent you.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (7 to 23 December)
North Shore Music Theatre, 62 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA
1(978)232-7200 or www.nsmt.org
