North Shore Music Theatre's 'A Christmas Carol' Grasps the Holiday Spirit

Listen to those bells ringing! I wonder if that means Christmas is here or the ghostly Jacob Marley is on his way to haunt us.

North Shore Music Theatre presents A Christmas Carol based on the classic novel by Charles Dickens. Due to a series of misfortunes, Christmas has never been the best time of year for Ebenezer Scrooge. One Christmas Eve, Scrooge gets a visit from three ghosts who open his mind, making him realize the true meaning of Christmas.

Seeing A Christmas Carol at North Shore Music Theatre is one of my favorite traditions during the holiday season. It’s a performance that makes one smile from beginning to end. The cast of A Christmas Carol grasps its holiday spirit, filling the theater with Christmas joy.

David Coffee’s charisma is a quality to be admired as the curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge. After playing the role for twenty-six years, Coffee has inhabited the part, never missing a beat. Having been through many hardships, especially around Christmas, Scrooge would rather lock up his feelings than face them.

I always look forward to the frightful encounter Scrooge has with his old work partner, the ghostly Jacob Marley. Alex Puette makes a startling entrance, flying on to the stage, enveloped in chains, and bellowing his pleas to Scrooge. Puette most definitely deserved a handful of applause for a frighteningly incredibly performance.

The three ghosts help free Scrooge’s trapped feelings by making him face his past, present, and his future. Leigh Barrett is stunning as the Ghost of Christmas Past gracing the stage in elegant attire and an angelic voice. Bringing Scrooge back to his past, the memories open up his heart making him remember the happy moments and his faults.

Peter S. Adams’s booming laugh as the humble Ghost of Christmas Present is always a remarkable performance. Dressed in a long, red robe, Adams fills a gigantic role, showing Scrooge the little details that he is missing out in his daily life.

Tommy Labanaris narrates the tale for audiences, bringing the magic to life about an important story. I especially enjoyed performances from Russell Garrett (Bob Cratchit), Andy Tighe (Fred), Michael Gaudio (Young Scrooge), Allsun O’Malley (Belle) and the enjoyable talents of many young actors.

Dale Elston and Drew Porrett were outstanding as the Pearlie's doing acrobatic flips, cartwheels, and even making ghostly mischief with the frantic Mrs. Dilbert (Cheryl McMahon).

No part is ever small in the theater. One of my favorite numbers of all is Fezziwig’s party. Everyone is having a fun time. That scene always makes me smile and dance in my seat.

NSMT’s A Christmas Carol is packed with incredible special effects from lighting, sound, music, festive set pieces, and remarkable costumes. The theater outdoes itself. Be aware that there are loud noises in Scrooge and Marley’s encounter. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come’s appearance is startling.

One of my favorite parts of the evening was actually not a part of the show. The theater is never perfect. Having to halt the show due to a glitch in the sound, the cast of A Christmas Carol marveled audiences getting them into the Christmas spirit. One member of the audience even began to sing a festive tune to pass the time.

Christmas is a special time of year. North Shore Music Theatre’s A Christmas Carol joins audiences together for a magical story that brings out a special meaning about Christmas. Join together and make the best of the holiday season.

If you have a chance during the holiday season I recommend that you catch a showing of A Christmas Carol at North Shore Shore Music Theatre. You will not be disappointed.