North Shore executive producer and artistic director Jon Kimbell will helm the production, which will play a limited engagement through Dec. 24. In a statement Kimbell said, "Our production of A Christmas Carol is near and dear to my heart, as it is for many of our patrons who have made it a holiday tradition for their families. After 12 years, it is my pleasure to return to directing this year’s production which stays true to Charles Dickens' timeless tale. Our adaptation of A Christmas Carol is truly a musical ghost story with a message that’s as poignant and heartfelt today as it was when it first premiered."
In addition to Coffee the North Shore cast will also feature Mark Aldrich (Fred), Graham Allen (Ensemble), Natasha Ashworth (Ensemble), Joseph Dellger (Mr. Fezziweg/Gentleman), Jason Forbach (Ensemble), Richard Gallagher (Ghost of Christmas Future/Young Scrooge), Erik Gratton (Narrator), Teri Dale Hansen (Ghost of Christmas Past/Mrs. Cratchit), Briga Heelan (Ensemble, Belle), Benjamin Howes (Bob Cratchit), Robert Jason Jackson (Ghost of Christmas Present/Gentleman), Cheryl McMahon (Mrs. Dilbur/Mrs. Fezziwig), James Neff (Ensemble/Old Joe), Luke Rawlings (Pearlie), Kim Sava (Ensemble), Tom Staggs (Jacob Marley) and Nicky Venditti (Pearlie).
Local children will also be featured in this year's production, including Beverly residents Bethani Boccia (Teen Caroler) and Zane Cowans (Ignorance/Want), Burlington resident Futaba Shioda (Fan), Essex resident Taylor Reader (Ignorance/Want), Gloucester residents Andrew Murdock (Tiny Tim) and Michaela Murdock (Ignorance/Want), Lexington resident Daniela Caesar-Roden (Martha Cratchit), Manchester resident Landon Komishane (Turkey Boy/Scrooge as a Child), Melrose resident Isabelle Miller (Belinda Cratchit), Peabody resident Sophia Brunet (Ignorance/Want), Reading resident Mark Mauriello (Turkey Boy/ Town Crier), Rowley resident Evan Gorski (Peter Cratchit), and Salem, NH, resident John Breen (Alternate/Rehearsal Cover for Tiny Tim).
The creative team also includes Kate Powers (co-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) and Robert L. Rucinski (assistant musical director).
Based on the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, according to press notes, "tells the tale of curmudgeonly miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Future hoping to change his destiny and save his soul." The production features an adaptation by Kimbell and the NSMT artistic staff. The North Shore Music Theatre is located at 62 Dunham Road in Beverly, MA. Tickets, priced $35-$70, are available by calling (978) 232-7200 or by visiting www.nsmt.org.
