A CHRISTMAS CAROL Returns To North Shore Music Theatre

New England's brightest holiday tradition returns to North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) for the first time since 2007. Spirits fly. Snow falls. A man named Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas, and a tradition has been reborn! A CHRISTMAS CAROL, directed by writer and former NSMT Artistic Director and Executive Producer Jon Kimbell, will run 16 performances only, from December 3 - 23, 2010. Press Night scheduled for December 3, 2010 at 8pm.

"It is my pleasure to bring this holiday tradition back to North Shore Music Theatre. This cast, featuring David Coffee and many local area performers, is ready to spread the Holiday joy once again," said NSMT's owner and Producer Bill Hanney. "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 am looking forward to seeing it at NSMT for the first time myself!"

"A Christmas Carol is a timeless story that resonates with people of all ages and carries a message that is just as genuine and poignant now as it was when it first premiered," said director and writer Jon Kimbell. "This musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol captures the true spirit and meaning of the holiday season. It will be wonderful to see generations of families coming together once again to experience such a heart warming holiday tradition."

A CHRISTMAS CAROL tells the tale of curmudgeonly miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future hoping to change his destiny and save his soul. 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. With dazzling special effects that have grown even more exciting over time, traditional and original songs, and colorful costumes, A CHRISTMAS CAROL has become a holiday favorite throughout New England. Since the World Premiere at NSMT in 1989, A CHRISTMAS CAROL has entertained more than a million people including more then 100,000 students. Based on the Charles Dickens classic,

This year's production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL will one again star NSMT Audience favorite David Coffee. This year's production marks David's 17th year playing Ebenezer Scrooge at NSMT. Several other long time members of the A Christmas Carol family will join David again as well, including; Maureen Brennan returning for her 8th year playing the Ghost of Christmas Past, & Mrs. Cratchit; Cheryl McMahon, who was part of the original 1989 cast, returning for her 17th year playing Mrs. Dilbur and Mrs Fezziwig; and Tom Staggs returning for his 10th year playing Jacob Marley.

The cast of A CHRISTMAS CAROL will also feature Ryan Bates (Narrator), Callan Bergmann (Pearlie, Dance Captain), Michael J. Borges (Joe, Ensemble), Brian De Lorenzo (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)

The cast will also feature young performers from many local communities including BEVERLY resident Zehava Younger (Fan/Want) age 10; GLOUCESTER residents Andrew Murdock (London Boy) age 11 and Kimi Sturgeon (Caroler) age 8; LYNN residents Alex Newell (Teen Caroler) age 18 and DJ Plunkett (Teen Caroler, Boy Scrooge) age 17; MERRIMACK resident Bryan Marden (Peter Cratchit) age 11; NEWBURYPORT residents Maggie Budzyna (Belinda Cratchit) age 10 and Rachel Rikeman (Martha Cratchit) age 16; ANDOVER resident Joseph Hall (Tiny Tim Cratchit) age 7; REVERE resident Brandon Cavallo Barbosa (London Boy, Ignorance) age 9; and ROCKPORT resident Thomas Boucher (London Boy) age 12.

The creative team for A CHRISTMAS CAROL includes Jon Kimbell (Director, Adaptor), Mark Hartman (Musical Director), John MacInnis (Choreographer), Howard C. Jones (Original Scenic Designer), Nancy Leary (Costume Designer), Jack Mehler (Lighting Designer), James R. McCartney (Sound Designer), Gerard Kelly (Wig and Hair Designer), Gail Eve Malatesta (Production Stage Manager), Robert L. Rucinski (Assistant Musical Director), Natalie A. Lynch (Assistant Stage Manager).

Throughout the run of A CHRISTMAS CAROL NSMT will be collecting toys in the lobby for Tiny Tim's Toy Drive. NSMT will be accepting unopened, unwrapped toys for boys and girls ages 2 - 12. All toys will be donated to Toys for Tots.

Tickets for A CHRISTMAS CAROL are priced from $35 - $65. Performances are December 3 - December 23, 2010 (Fri & Sat at 8pm, Sat & Sunday & 2pm, Tue 12/21, Wed 12/22 at 7:30pm and Thursday 12/23 at 2pm and 7:30pm). Tickets can be purchased by calling the North Shore Music Theatre Box Office at (978) 232-7200, via the website at www.nsmt.org or in person at 62 Dunham Road (Route 128, exit 19), Beverly, MA. Personal listening devices, large print programs available.

Additional Free Audience Enrichment events: OUT at the North Shore, an evening for the Gay and Lesbian Community with a post-show reception (sponsored in part by Ryan & Wood Inc. Distilleries and Sparkling Soirées) on December 17.