Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre’s holiday show again this year is the 29th 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 he adapted back in 1989. As Jon explains “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 26th time of playing Scrooge. Audiences have been lucky once more this season by seeing David in “Freaky Friday” and as always are beyond thrilled that he is returning to this iconic role once again. This show marks David’s 60th production at NSMT. Current artistic director Kevin Hill directs this year’s presentation of its favorite holiday show once again and makes it fresh and new with new dances, clever new ad libs and more comic moments.
He also directed “Jersey Boys”, the megahit at NSMT this past summer for four sold out weeks and the superb “Sunset Boulevard” starring Alice Ripley. “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 tenth 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!
The special effects are even more dazzling and amazing. Just when you think they can’t be improved upon they are. 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, it is 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, Robert Rucinski conducts a magnificent ten piece orchestra and taught the talented cast the lush and beautiful harmonies of these Christmas with the choral effect being superb. The brass led by trumpet player Jay Daly is astounding once again. Jay is celebrating his 27th season at NSMT.
David Coffee delivers a tour-de-force performance once again as this iconic character for his 26th season. He makes the part fresh and new each of the ten 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 break up 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, tenth 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 sixth year in a row but it’s his ninth season with this show. Two years ago 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 Dale Elston and Drew Porrett. They do incredible tumbling, somersaults, ballet movements while sprinkling magical dust throughout London, spooking Mrs. Dilbur, transporting Scrooge and the other ghosts through town. They are the best Pearlies I have seen performing their athletic and physically demanding routines in perfect unison.
Alex Puette who last appeared here in “Jersey Boys” 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. Alex makes a very menacing and intimidating Marley indeed.
The three ghosts are lead by Leigh Barrett as Christmas Past. It is her tenth year with this musical and she makes each role fresh and new with each performance. I last reviewed her as Mame Dennis in “Mame” this past June at Reagle Players and she was a force to be reckoned with in that show with her oodles of dialogue and vocal numbers. 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. Amanda Padre plays Fan and A.J. Scott plays Boy Scrooge where we learn Fan died in childbirth. A.J. played Tiny Tim in 2017 and 2018 and earlier this year played the role of Fletcher in “Freaky Friday.” A.J. is a marvelous actor at an early age. Dark and handsome Michael Gaudio plays Young Scrooge while pretty petite Allsun O’Malley plays Belle. They shine in their roles especially the breakup segment while displaying their strong acting chops. I last reviewed Allsun as Kathy Seldon in “Singing in the Rain” at Theatre by the Sea this past summer. Michael Brennan plays Young Scrooge’s best friend, Dick Wilkins in the Fezziwig scene. He is a terrific dancer and displays his prowess in the Fezziwig and Old Joe scenes. Michael returns to NSMT after appearing in the ensemble of “Sunset Boulevard” this fall.
Peter Adams returns in triumph for his sixth 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.” Peter is a commanding presence in this show and he and J.T. Turner play the hilarious almsmen. Michael Gaudio also plays Christmas Yet to Come and transforms himself into a statue of Young Scrooge during the transformation scene. Once again biggest scene stealer in this show is Cheryl McMahon as Mrs. Dilbur and 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 blinking lit hat being thrown at her, 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 “La Cage Aux Folles” at Reagle as Georges which shows he can play other roles besides this one. Her two roles in this show are some of the best and Cheryl’s been portraying them for 26 years.
Andrew Tighe returns for his fifth consecutive year and his third year to play Fred, Scrooge’s nephew. He is tall, blond and handsome and displays his strong tenor voice with pretty blonde Kate Turner who plays Meg and has a terrific soprano voice. Their song is “Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day” where Kate’s voice soars up to a high G. She appeared in the National Broadway Tour of “The Sound of Music” as Elsa. Andrew also has some comic moments in the opening when he kisses his uncle on top of his head not only encourages the young carolers to annoy his cantankerous uncle but sings the Christmas song with them and in the present when he describes his uncle’s bad behavior to their party guests. I last reviewed Andrew as Cliff Bradshaw in “Cabaret” at Ivoryton Playhouse in August. His role of Cliff in that show proves he also has the dramatic chops to carry off a leading role.
The Cratchit family shine in their roles. Russell Garrett and Leigh Barrett return for their ninth 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. She also displays her feisty side when refusing to toast to the old miser. Jake Baumrind who is 8 years old plays Tiny Tim wonderfully. He is a good actor at an early age. His siblings are well played by 9th Grader Emilia Tagliani as Martha, Asher Navisky as Peter and Grace Olah as Belinda. They also display strong acting chops in both comic and dramatic family scenes. Another returning comic performer is Matthew Chappell who is fabulous as Old Joe. He has a strong baritone voice which soars up to a high G in “Isn’t It Grand, Boys” and he dances up a storm during this scene, the Fezziwig scene and at Fred and Meg’s party scene. So for a phenomenal production of this well-known 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. Next year will be the 30th Anniversary season for “A Christmas Carol” as well as the 65th Season for NSMT.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (6 to 22 December)
North Shore Music Theatre, 62 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA
1(978)232-7200 or www.nsmt.org
