‘A Christmas Carol.’ Adapted for the stage from the Charles Dickens novella by Jon Kimbell. Direction and Choreography by Kevin P. Hill. Music Direction by Milton Granger. Original Scenic Design by Howard C. Jones. Costume Coordination/Additional Costume Design by Kelly Baker. Lighting Design by Jack Mehler. Sound Design by Leon Rothenberg. Original Wig and Hair Design by Gerard Kelly. Additional Wig Design by Kat Shanahan. Projection Design by Nick Wass. Presented by North Shore Music Theatre, through December 23.
by Linda Chin
In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the heartwarming image of a young boy (Tiny Tim) holding a little cane above his head sitting on his father’s shoulder (Bob Cratchit) – joy on the pair’s faces undiminished by their well-worn winter clothing and the son’s disability – has been immortalized in 19th century lithographs and 3-D porcelain (and plastic) figurines alike. With beautiful costumes, traditional songs, amazing acrobatics, special effects, and an outstanding cast and orchestra bringing the classic story and its iconic images to life, NSMT’s A Christmas Carol is the perfect show for people of all generations to continue – or begin – an annual holiday tradition. First presented in 1989, director and choreographer Kevin P. Hill keeps the show fresh by retaining the traditional elements and changing the staging/choreography, special effects, and cast members who outgrow their roles – like Tiny Tim. NSMT’s 2022 production of A Christmas Carol beautifully blends theatre of the past, present and what’s ‘yet to come.’
Devoted father and husband Bob Cratchit (Russell Garrett) struggles to provide for his family with the small sum his boss Ebenezer Scrooge (David Coffee) pays him as an accounting clerk. Poor in material possessions but rich in family, Cratchit and his wife (Leigh Barrett) have raised their children Martha (Emilia Tagliani), Peter (Wade Gleeson Turner), Belinda (Grace Olah) and Tim (Quinn Murphy) to be compassionate and inclusive.
Tim relies on a crutch to walk, and may be small in stature, but he has one of the story’s biggest and most impactful roles. Mature beyond his years, Tim echoes his father’s toast at Christmas dinner by exclaiming “Here’s to all of us. God bless us every one!” The ‘awws’ from the audience after this adorable ten year-old actor makes his sweet toast were noticeably audible. Scrooge, witnessing the gathering from the sidelines, is also moved, and with counsel from the Ghost of Christmas Present (Jaelle LaGuerre) reflects on his miserly ways. The young child helps the uncharitable, impatient, old Scrooge realize that helping others can make a difference in your own life. Tim’s disability is not the central part of his identity – kindness is.
The outstanding cast of 29 includes five professional actors with extensive regional and national credits who have each returned to NSMT and anchored the production for over 10 years. The actors David Coffee, and Cheryl MacMahon have returned for their 28th year playing Scrooge and Mrs. Dilber/Mrs. Fezziwig respectively. Watching their playfulness and chemistry as scene partners is delightful. Leigh Barrett (Ghost of Christmas Past and her mortal counterpart Mrs. Cratchit) and JT Turner (Mr. Fezziwig/Philanthropist) are returning to A Christmas Carol for year 12, and Russell Garrett (Bob Cratchit) for his eleventh. These esteemed actors raise the bar and are generous role models for the rest of the company.
Other professional actors in this stellar cast include: Ryan Knowles, who dazzled as the dentist in Little Shop of Horrors as Jacob Marley; Jaelle LaGuerre, who sparkled in Cinderella and Buddy Holly Show, and was in the ensemble of last year’s show, and returns for her second year as a Philanthropist and the Ghost of Christmas Present; Bronson Norris Murphy returns to the role of Fred, old Scrooge’s nephew for his fifth holiday season; Turner Riley, who was in the ensemble of last year’s production, returns as Belle, the young Scrooge’s only love, and Fred’s bride, Meg.
The Pearlies, Flora Dickens and Drew Porrett, are two extraordinarily versatile acrobats, tumblers, and poltergeists whose impressive front flips literally move the action of the play forward and whose flawless pirouettes support the Narrator in conveying the plot’s various twists and turns. In her NSMT debut and his third production of A Christmas Carol, Dickens and Porrett’s performances alone are worth the price of admission.
In addition to inspiring Scrooge to rethink his attitudes towards the poor, disabled, and marginalized members of society, “tiny” Tim Cratchit plays another “big” role. In the NSMT adaptation, the grown-up Tiny Tim takes us back in time to 1860s London and bookends the story. NYC-based film, television, and theatre actor Sommer Carbuccia returns as the Narrator following his fantastic debut last year, Carbuccia has a prosthetic leg, and in 2021, was the first actor with a disability to portray a character with a disability in this production. While some audience members might be surprised to see an actor with an artificial leg on stage, others (including me) may not connect that the Narrator is Tiny Tim grown-up (my ‘aha’ moment came when he introduced himself at Bob Cratchit’s son and introduced his son as Ebenezer), most will be grateful that North Shore Music Theatre wishes us an inclusive Christmas. For tickets and info, go to: https://www.nsmt.org
I come there every year it is a great start to the season the players (using stage names) scrooge and mrs. delbir?? are amazing together, I like her also in other parts, and the crashits of course are also equally amazing but this year The ghost of Marley did not fly as before(missed that part was great) and Not too be a prood but it should be a man playing the ghost of xmas present even tho she did a great job, but would have preferred male dominance in that part.. Had a Wonderful time
Have been coming MANY YEARS I have never been let down