North Shore Music Theatre's 'A Christmas Carol' Creates Holiday Magic

I will honor Christmas in my heart.

North Shore Music Theatre presents its 35th annual holiday stage adaptation of Charles Dickens’s novel A Christmas Carol this December. Lonely miser 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.

North Shore Music Theatre’s A Christmas Carol has become a holiday tradition for most families. I always look forward to seeing this show once December arrives! This story reminds audiences to extend kindness to everyone and not to worry about shadows from the past.

The worthy applause that David Coffee receives in his first appearance never gets old. In his 30th year playing Ebenezer Scrooge, Coffee’s tremendous stage presence radiates his outstanding performance. He conveys powerful emotional layers to the classic character. This night helps Scrooge reflect on his morals, undergoing a transformative journey.

NSMT welcomes new and old faces to the ensemble of A Christmas Carol. The cast is integral to this story, playing crucial characters in Scrooge’s life. I say it in every review, but it becomes more true in each show I see: no small role exists in the theater. Everyone has fun singing, dancing, and even doing amazing acrobatics onstage.

Tommy Labanaris guides this ghostly tale as the narrator. He is more than just the narrator, however, but also a humble representation of how change defines someone.

Jacob Marley’s spooky visit to Scrooge is my absolute FAVORITE moment in the show. Carrington Vilmont enhances the scene with his ghoulish makeup and enormous speaking voice as he flies over the stage. The eerie music, lighting, and loud fireworks make the scene a signature delight of A Christmas Carol.

The Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present take Scrooge to crucial moments in time to shape his redemption. Kerry Conte has a lovely singing voice as the Ghost of Christmas Past. As the Ghost of Christmas Present, Davron S. Monroe enters the stage dressed in a long red robe, belting a hearty laugh and enriching vocals.

Also celebrating their 30th anniversary of Christmas Carol is Cheryl McMahon as the hilarious Mrs. Dilber. Her ‘Isn’t it Grand’ song is another memorable highlight.

“They are literally creating magic onstage,” my friend, who was seeing it for the first time, whispered to me. That’s one of my favorite parts of A Christmas Carol: audiences continue to marvel at the magic onstage. Speaking of which, the magic wouldn’t be possible without the amazing technical crew.

Tech hands enhance A Christmas Carol, by making the stage truly feel like a small London town. Notable special effects include colorful lighting, props that appear from beneath the stage, and projections, which are a new addition this year. A live orchestra also accompanies lively musical numbers, like Fezziwig’s party.

In the last eight years that I have seen A Christmas Carol, I’ve found that it’s never the same show twice. I always notice new details that resonate with me in profound ways. Director Kevin P. Hill masterfully emphasizes the story’s message from this timeless Dickens novel.

While our past plays a crucial role in our lives, we can’t hang onto it. If the future’s menacing appearance says anything, it’s to not worry about what comes next. Take one day at a time and cherish your present accomplishments.

Take caution, NSMT’s A Christmas Carol may frighten younger audiences, as it contains loud noises, strobe lighting, and dark sequences. Start a new holiday tradition and attend A Christmas Carol at NSMT, playing until December 22. It’s a festive delight of the season!