Since its World Premiere 16 years ago, North Shore Music Theatre's "A Christmas Carol" has delighted more than 1 million theatergoers, including more than 100,000 school children.  Performance dates this year are December 3- 24.

With special effects that have grown more elaborate over time, traditional and original songs, and colorful costumes, "A Christmas Carol" has become a holiday favorite. Based on the Charles Dickens classic, "A Christmas Carol" tells the tale of curmudgeonly miser Ebenezer Scrooge, visited by the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Future, all hoping to change his destiny and save his soul.

This original musical adaptation by NSMT Artistic Director and Executive Producer Jon Kimbell and members of the NSMT staff, follows Scrooge through a series of strange and magical journeys, where he ultimately discovers the true spirit of the holiday season.

As an added bonus this season, NSMT is introducing The Christmas Carol Experience, complete with holiday lights, decorations, wassail bowl, sweet confections, strolling musicians, and gatherings with cast members, to augment the magic of the holiday season.

"The Christmas Carol Experience is our way of spreading the joys of the holiday season to all aspects of our Theatre and our grounds," said Kimbell. "We are creating a wonderfully festive atmosphere and we encourage our patrons to arrive early before the show and celebrate the season with us."

David Coffee, playing Scrooge for the 13th straight year, knows why people return year after year to see this production. "It's a beautiful show. Being in-the-round, the audience becomes a part of the story, and it's a very special story. It reminds us to get our priorities in order, to reset our attitude toward humankind. It is therapeutic. It is magical."

A veteran performer at NSMT, this production marks Coffee's 34th appearance in Beverly. David has been seen in "Kiss Me Kate," "West Side Story," "The Wizard of Oz" and "Fiddler on the Roof."

Another North Shore favorite, George Dvorsky returns for his 13th stint as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Most recently seen at NSMT in "Kiss Me Kate," George has also performed on Broadway in "The Scarlet Pimpernel," "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," "Marilyn: An American Fable," "Passion" and "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas."

The adult ensemble will include Edward M. Barker, Maureen Brennan, Andrea Clair, Bill English, Rachel Fulton, Annie Gill, Michael Kayne, Kevin Kern, Kelvin Moon Loh, Cheryl McMahon, Kathy Meyer, Matt Nall, Tabb Nance, James Neff, Evan Pappas, Carrie Specksgoor, Tom Staffs and Wayne Pretlow.

The 31 member cast will also feature children from many local communities including: Beverly residents Emma Barbin and Conor Doherty; Gloucester residents Michaela Murdock, Andrew Murdock, Rodney Nyborg Jr.and Ari Shaps; Burlington resident Futaba Shioda; Lynn residents Tory Bradlee and Steven Foley; Sudbury resident Nicole Bilbo; Boxford resident Tori Cargill; and Rowley resident Natasha Ashworth.

Greg Ganakas has been director/choreographer for "A Christmas Carol" since 1993. A veteran director at NSMT, Ganakas has also worked on Broadway, in regional theaters, and internationally, including two world premieres: "White Lies" at the American Stage Company and the Triad in New York and "The Times" at Long Wharf Theatre.

Throughout the run of "A Christmas Carol," North Shore Music Theatre will be collecting toys for their Tiny Tim's Toy Drive. The theatre will be accepting unopened, unwrapped toys for boys and girls, ages 2 - 12. Toys will be donated to four area organizations: Beverly Children's Learning Center, Headstart Peabody, Beverly Bootstraps and Horizons for Homeless Children.

North Shore Music Theatre is also offering a special Out at the North Shore evening on Thursday, December 16, for the Gay and Lesbian Community. A reception will follow the performance.

Personal listening devices, large print and Braille programs will be available at all performances. For tickets and information, call 978-232-7200, stop by the box office at 62 Dunham Road (Route 128, exit 19) in Beverly, or visit www.nsmt.org. 

-- OnStage Boston

11/12/04

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