Scrooge finds redemption once again on stage at North Shore Music Theatre

BEVERLY ? Nineteen different productions of “A Christmas Carol” have played at North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) over the years and the 20th is expected to draw the traditional holiday audience plus a bevy of new fans when it opens Friday night.The well-known musical ghost story, limited to 16 performances between Dec. 3 and 23 at the Beverly venue, has been conspicuously absent from the North Shore cultural scene since 2007, but with the theater’s revival, the stage is set for a comeback.The production is directed by writer and former NSMT artistic director and executive producer Jon Kimbell.”It’s my pleasure to bring this holiday tradition back to North Shore Music Theatre,” said NSMT owner and producer Bill Hanney, noting that the cast features the popular David Coffee and many performers familiar to season subscribers.”When I first started to explore the possibility of reopening NSMT, it was immediately very clear how much ?A Christmas Carol’ meant to the community. Every official I met with and anyone I talked to would mention this production within the first few sentences of our conversation. The decision to bring it back was a no-brainer and I’m looking forward to seeing it at the theater for the first time myself.””A Christmas Carol” offers the timeless tale of curmudgeonly miser Ebenezer Scrooge, a cold-hearted, tight-fisted geezer who is visited by the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Future, each hoping to change his destiny and save his soul.”This musical adaptation of ?A Christmas Carol’ captures the true spirit and meaning of the holiday season,” said Kimbell “It will be wonderful to see generations of families coming together once again to experience such a heart warming holiday tradition.”Based on the Charles Dickens classic novel published in 1843, audiences will travel with Scrooge as he sets off on a strange and magical journey, where he ultimately discovers the true spirit of the holiday season. Since its world premiere at NSMT in 1989, the production has entertained more than one million people, including 100,000 students.This year’s production marks Coffee’s 17th year playing Scrooge. Several other longtime members of the show include Maureen Brennan, returning for her 8th year playing the Ghost of Christmas Past, as well as Mrs. Cratchit. Cheryl McMahon, who was part of the original 1989 cast, returns for her 17th year playing Mrs. Dilbur and Mrs Fezziwig, while Tom Staggs returns for his 10th year playing Jacob Marley.The cast will also feature Ryan Bates as narrator, Callan Bergmann (Pearlie, Dance Captain), Michael J. Borges (Joe, Ensemble), Brian DeLorenzo (Bob Cratchit), Bonnie Fraser (Belle, Meg), Stephanie Granade (Ensemble), Kevin Hadfield (Ensemble), Katharine Heaton (Ensemble), Kevin Patrick Martin (Ghost of Christmas Future, Young Scrooge), Brittney Morello (Ensemble), Brendan Powers (Fred), Curtis Schroeger (Pearlie), Josh Tower (Ghost of Christmas Present, Gentleman 1) and J.T. Turner (Mr. Fezziwig, Gentleman 2).Young performers from surrounding communities will also bulk out the case, including Lynn residents Alex Newell, 18, as a teenage caroler, and D.J. Plunkett, 17, as a caroler and Scrooge as a boy.Revere resident Brandon Cavallo Barbosa, 9, will play London Boy and Ignorance.The other youthful cast members hail from Beverly, Gloucester, Merrimack, Newburyport, Rockport and Andover.The creative team assisting Kimbell includes musical director Mark Hartman, choreographer John MacInnis, original scenic designer Howard C. Jones, costume designer Nancy Leary and lighting designer Jack Mehler.Throughout the production, the theater will collect toys in the lobby for Tiny Tim’s Toy Drive. Unopened, unwrapped toys for boys and girls ages 2n12 will be accepted as well. All toys will be donated to Toys for Tots.Tickets are $35-$65. Performances are Dec. 3 to 23. The shows on Friday and Saturday are at 8 p.m. Curtain times on Saturday and Sunday are at 2 p.m. and on Tuesday and Wednesday at