"A Christmas Carol"

December 13, 2014 — If you've become jaded by Christmas as I have (I think it's age-related), I recommend finding a performance of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" somewhere nearby. It's not hard to find at this time of year. One such performance is being staged by the Northern Essex Community College Department of Performing Arts at the college's Haverhill, Massachusetts campus. Directed by Jim Murphy, who also plays the part of Ebenezer Scrooge, this timeless, heart-warming story revived my Christmas spirit, at least for an afternoon.

Along with Murphy, who plays a great Scrooge, are John Budzyna as Jacob Marley, sufficiently frightening in his grave-clothes and rattling chains, and J. Mark Morrison as Bob Cratchitt. The large supporting cast of college faculty and students, along with several children, were all excellent. Designer Susan Sanders' set was simple and effective, facilitating frequent changes in furnishings for the many different settings the play requires. Music director Alisa Bucchiere's carolers moved the play along with their renditions of carols and madrigals from the 19th Century.

It was an afternoon well-spent. I congratulate all who participated in this well-done, audience-pleasing presentation.