NeverlandNEXT Chapter's 'A Christmas Carol:' A Joyful Performance

I will honor Christmas in my heart.

NeverlandNEXT Chapter presented a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’s classic novel A Christmas Carol. Ebenezer Scrooge doesn’t believe in the spirit of Christmas and dismisses everyone’s jolly cheer. One Christmas Eve, he is visited by three spirits who show Scrooge his past, present, and future, to convince him to better his behavior towards others.

NeverlandNEXT Chapter’s production of A Christmas Carol was a masterful retelling of a story that’s been told for over a century. The show was infused with fresh creativity, heartfelt performances, and jovial spirit. The message of Christmas Carol is one to carry in our hearts; to stay present in the moment, and to avoid the shadows of the past.

Playing the bitter curmudgeon, Ebenezer Scrooge, the talented Tony Bellerose blended humor, honesty, and emotional depth. His spirited shouts of Scrooge’s trademark ‘Humbug!’ elicited laughter, especially with the delivery in his quirky accent. Scrooge is a complex and relatable character, evoking how dwelling on past mistakes makes us miss out on present events.

A strong supporting cast accompanied A Christmas Carol. As I have said before and will continue to express, no small part exists in the theater. Everyone stood out. I also felt a strong sense of connection from the cast, which enhanced their performance.

As the narrator of the story, Patricia Kelty was often sassy in her dictation. Her scenes with Scrooge were hilarious as the two had varying opinions on the situation at hand. The narration gave the production a unique voice and also a moving revelation.

Haunted by his old work partner, Jacob Marley, the ghostly visit to Scrooge scene was a supernatural highlight. Joshua Madruga’s performance as Marley was haunting and well-acted. His makeup, eerie movements, and vocals added to the impact of the chilling scene.

Central to the magic of this story are the ghosts that visit Scrooge; Nadia Robertson Gemma was graceful and humble as the Ghost of Christmas Past as she guided Scrooge through his bittersweet memories, while Amos Madruga was captivating as the Ghost of Christmas Present. He infused his scenes with a captivating joy and a larger-than-life presence.

The ensemble cast was another highlight, with some playing two roles. Evelyn Gayhart had an intriguing character combination as both Fred and Young Scrooge. The young actors, in particular, charmed the audience with their playful antics, whether teasing Scrooge or joyfully singing Christmas carols. The cast’s energy radiated in scenes like the Cratchit’s Christmas dinner and dancing at Fezziwig’s lively party.

A Christmas Carol was staged at Peabody’s Black Box Theater. Visually, the production was truly stunning. The special effects, from strobe lighting and projections of Victorian London, perfectly captured the period. The costumes were also excellent, providing a slice of each of the character’s personalities in their outfits. The Ghost of Christmas Future (Richard Griffiths) also frightened audiences with its cryptic appearance.

NeverlandNEXT Chapter’s A Christmas Carol presented new angles based on Jack Babb’s adaptation. Bellerose, who was also the director of the production, was allowed to add his own creative elements to the show. He included more character depth, hilarious fourth wall breaks, and one moving revelation.

The revelation of the narrator being Scrooge’s deceased sister Fan was my favorite part of the show. It made me realize how underrated a character Fan is in Christmas Carol. The tender exchange between Scrooge and Fan reminded audiences of the pain of lost connections and the redemptive power of love. Keep building new memories away from the past’s shadows.

Dickens’s classic may have been told countless times, but in the hands of Bellerose and his talented cast, it felt as fresh as ever. NeverlandNEXT Chapter’s A Christmas Carol was a splendid experience for all audience members to cherish.