After 15 years, final curtain falls on NECC production of "A Christmas Carol"
For many, “A Christmas Carol” penned by Charles Dickens in 1844 is a quintessential Christmas classic, for anyone associated with the Northern Essex Community College’s adaptation of the beloved play knows it is a tradition…a tradition that after 15 years is coming to an end.
Each year, it has been performed in the 75-seat Chet Hawrylciw Theater on the third floor of the Spurk Building on the Haverhill campus, 100 Elliott St. This year, the final year, is no different. Performances will be held Friday, December 12, at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, December 13, at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 15, at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for students and senior citizens and $5 for children 6 and under. They can be purchased at the door or through www.mvarts.info.
This is NECC’s final production of the classic that over the years Murphy and Sanders so cleverly cast with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and members of the community with Murphy himself often taking on the dialogue heavy role of Ebenezer Scrooge while directing the production. Each year, Sanders has overseen the set direction and costuming, as well as appeared in minor roles. Together with precision time-management, they have managed to execute the production in just three weeks.
The “one-time” event was intended to be a department fundraiser for the college’s performing arts. The theatrical event took on a life of its own, attracting aspiring thespians from the classroom and the boardroom. The production is family friendly, he notes. A family of four can attend the production for less than the cost of one ticket to a larger regional production of the same play, he says.
“It is a very intense three weeks followed by an intense weekend. The camaraderie that develops among the cast members is wonderful,” says Murphy. “The audience sees and feels that energy.”
Cast List:
Haverhill
- Bob Cratchitt – Mark Morrison
- Laundress – Geehae Moon
- Third Man and Party Guest – Trevon Gilcrist
- Party Guest – Ben Tavitian
- Fred’s Wife- Elfie Grusing
- Young Ebenezer – Eric Barnes Salvi Jr.
- Undertaker, Belle’s Husband – Mike Nutter
- Madrigal Singer Bass – Chip Bliss
- Martha Cratchitt – Thomasina Glenn
- Girl in the Street – Zoe Glenn
- Old Joe – Michael Ross
- Ghost of Christmas Past – Sarah Bird
- Charity Man – Conor Miller
- Madrigal Singer Tenor -Christian Doyle
- Fred’s Housekeeper – Abigail Seabrook
- Jacob Marley – John Budzyna
- Party Guest – Katherine Formosi
- Party Guest – Breanna McGarragher
- Belle – Alicia D’Olympio
- Dick Wilkins – Hunter Gouldthorpe
- Mrs. Cratchitt- Gina Anderson
- Ghost of Christmas Present – Allan Mayo
- Want – Kallie Mayo
- Man on the Street – Robert Mantegani
- Madrigal Singer Soprano – Hannah Heckman-McKenna
- Party Guest, Ghost of Christmas Future – Ben Chretian
- Tiny Tim – Malcolm Courchesne
- Ignorance – Simon Courchesne
- Peter Cratchitt – Jake Soraghan
- Ebenezer Scrooge – Jim Murphy
- Maid – Susan Sanders
- Young Scrooge – Mark Zick
- Uncle Fezziwig – Todd Buckley
- Fan – Olivia Buckley
- Fred – Paul Kelly
- Stage Manager – Amanda Kehoe
