By Mike Hoban
‘A Christmas Carol: A Musical Ghost Story’ – Adapted by Jon Kimbell. Based on the Novella by Charles Dickens; Director/Choreographer, Kevin P. Hill; Music Director, Milton Granger. Presented by the North Shore Music Theatre, Dunham Road, Beverly through December 23rd
Following a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the North Shore Music Theatre returns with its own special spin on the Christmas Carol holiday classic with the 30th anniversary presentation of A Christmas Carol: A Musical Ghost Story – and delivers the heartwarming tale of redemption with a terrific score along with a dose of pyrotechnics. The NSMT adaptation retains much of the dialogue and storyline of the original, as cold-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge is transformed into a loving and fully realized human being with the help of some friendly (and frightening) spirits showing him the way.
Texas-based actor David Coffee returns to the lead role for the 27th time, and he’s carved out his legacy as the quintessential Scrooge of Greater Boston theater, with his booming baritone and nuanced characterization of the miserly Scrooge. Coffee is joined by Boston favorites Cheryl McMahon (Mrs. Dilber/Mrs. Fezziwig and also making her 27th appearance), Leigh Barrett (Ghost of Christmas Past, Mrs. Cratchit), Russell Garrett (Mr. Fezziwig/Gentleman 2) and J.T. Turner (Mr. Fezziwig/Gentleman 2). Broadway’s Bronson Norris Murphy (Scrooge’s nephew Fred) also returns along with a host of fresh faces. The cast is also conspicuously more diverse than in previous productions, with a pair of newcomer performers filling key roles. Sommer Carbuccia, who lost his leg in an accident during his college years and whose prosthetic is clearly visible in his period costume, plays the Narrator with aplomb, and Marcus M. Martin, a young African-American actor, regally commands the stage as the Ghost of Christmas Present.
The original production was conceived by former NSMT Artistic Director Jon Kimbell, who directed the first iteration of the show in 1989. This year’s production was directed and choreographed by NSMT’s Producing Artistic Director Kevin P. Hill, who employs a plethora of special effects, highlighted by a truly scary Marley’s ghost (Alex Puette) who flies over the stage to the horror of Scrooge as well as good portion of the audience). It should be noted that the show carries a content warning, preparing audiences for the “sudden loud noises, pyrotechnics, and dark images,” which can be a little jarring. No children under the age of four are permitted in the theater for the show, but the kids around us seemed unfazed by the ghoulish Marley or the noise.
The show is buoyed by traditional English Christmas carols, including God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, Here We Come A-Wassailing, The Boar’s Head Carol, and We Wish You A Merry Christmas, as well as original songs. Musical theater luminary Barrett shines brightly with her rendition of “A Dream within a Dream” as well as the duet with Carbuccia, “The Little Child” as Mrs. Cratchit. Cheryl McMahon scores most of the show’s comic points as the housekeeper Mrs. Dilber with the number, “Isn’t It Grand, Boys?” (after stealing and selling the deceased Scrooge’s belongings) and in an interaction with the “Pearlies” (Michael Harmon and Drew Porrett), a pair of pixies who wow the crowd with acrobatic flips and cartwheels while making supernatural mischief throughout the production. And Martin’s thunderous tenor propels the entire company in the lively traditional songs “The Boar’s Head Carol” and “The Gloucestershire Carol” as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Director Hill’s choreography of the period dances is a huge plus, and Milton Granger’s 10 piece orchestra is first rate.
After a brutal 18 months of the pandemic and political upheaval, the musical message of hope provided by NSMT’s “A Christmas Carol” is the perfect antidote. For tickets and more information, visit https://www.nsmt.org/.
NSMT Advisory on COVID: In light of the most recent CDC recommendations and for the safety of our audiences, actors, and staff, COVID compliant (KN-95 recommended) masks will be required to be worn over the nose and mouth for all patrons, regardless of vaccination status, while in the lobby and in the theater as well as any indoor public spaces. Masks can be quickly adjusted while actively consuming food or beverages. Thank you for doing your part to keep everyone safe, while celebrating the return of in-person performances. We encourage everyone to wear their most creative COVID Compliant (KN-95 recommended) mask as prizes will be given at each performance!
