David Coffee, who has starred in the North Shore's productions of Camelot, West Side Story, The Wizard of Oz, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Fiddler on the Roof, will play Scrooge for the 14th consecutive year at the Massachusetts theatre. He will be joined by another North Shore regular, George Dvorsky, who returns for his 14th stint as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Dvorsky was most recently seen at the North Shore playing Harold Nichols in The Full Monty.
Others who will star in the musical based on the Dickens classic include Tabb (as Pearlie), Mark Aldrich (as Fred), Maureen Brennan (as Mrs. Cratchit/Ghost of Christmas Past), Bill Carmichael (as Bob Cratchit), Bill English (as Narrator), Rachel Fulton (as Meg), Jessica Lee Goldyn (as Pearlie), Cheryl McMahon (as Mrs. Dilbur/Mrs. Tugby/Mrs. Fezziwig), James Neff (as Old Joe), Perry Ojeda (as Young Scrooge/Ghost of Christmas Future), Wayne Pretlow (as Mr. Fezziwig), Carrie Specksgoor (as Belle) and Tom Staggs (as Jacob Marley). The ensemble comprises David Bondrow, Ariel Buck, Annie Gill and Thom Miller.
Local children will also be featured in this year's production, including Beverly residents Bethany Boccia, Sky Cowans, Zane Cowans and Connor Doherty; Boxford resident Victoria Cargill; Burlington resident Futaba Shioda; Gloucester residents Andrew Murdock and Michaela Murdock; Lynn resident Tory Bradlee; Marblehead resident Josh Segal; and Rowley residents Natasha Ashworth and Evan Gorski.
A Christmas Carol begins performances at the North Shore on Dec. 2 and runs through Dec. 24 with an official press night on Dec. 3. Greg Ganakas, whose North Shore credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Fiddler on the Roof, will direct. Ganakas has been the director/choreographer of A Christmas Carol at the North Shore since 1993. The remainder of the creative team includes Cathy Roy (associate director), Brian Cimmet (musical director), Kathy Meyer (choreographer), Howard C. Jones (scenic designer), Joanna E. Murphy (costume designer), Jack Mehler (lighting designer), John A. Stone (sound designer), Gerard Kelly (wig and hair designer), Robert Rucinski (assistant musical director), Samantha Hughes (assistant costume designer) and Bethany Ford (production stage manager).
NSMT's Executive Producer and Artistic Director Jon Kimbell said in a statement, "We have come to realize that after 17 years, our production of A Christmas Carol holds a special place in the hearts of our patrons, and for many people in our community, it has become a holiday tradition. This year's production is especially poignant given the circumstances at the Theatre over the past several months. Everyone is very thankful to be back in our newly renovated home and we're looking forward to sharing the Christmas Carol experience with all of our patrons and friends." Tickets for the production, priced between $35 and $68, are now available by calling the theatre's box office at (978) 232-7200 or by going on-line to www.nsmt.org.
