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

  Amesbury

• Martha Cratchitt – Thomasina Glenn
• Girl in the Street –  Zoe Glenn

  Lawrence

• Old Joe – Michael Ross

  Tewksbury

•  Ghost of Christmas Past – Sarah Bird

  Newburyport

• Charity Man – Conor Miller
• Madrigal Singer Tenor -Christian Doyle
• Fred’s Housekeeper – Abigail Seabrook
• Jacob Marley – John Budzyna

  Groveland

• Party Guest – Katherine Formosi

  North Andover

• Party Guest – Breanna McGarragher

  Salisbury

• Belle – Alicia D’Olympio
• Dick Wilkins – Hunter Gouldthorpe

  Beverly

• Mrs. Cratchitt- Gina Anderson

  New Hampshire:   Exeter

• Ghost of Christmas Present – Allan Mayo
• Want – Kallie Mayo

  Newmarket

• Man on the Street – Robert Mantegani

  Salem

• Madrigal Singer Soprano – Hannah Heckman-McKenna

  Danville

• Party Guest, Ghost of Christmas Future – Ben Chretian

  Kingston

• Tiny Tim – Malcolm Courchesne
• Ignorance – Simon Courchesne

  Hampstead

• Peter Cratchitt – Jake Soraghan
• Ebenezer Scrooge – Jim Murphy
• Maid – Susan Sanders

  Plaistow       

• Young Scrooge – Mark Zick
• Uncle Fezziwig – Todd Buckley
• Fan – Olivia Buckley

  Hudson

• Fred – Paul Kelly

Derry

• Stage Manager – Amanda Kehoe

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