The One With The Christmas Carol at NSMT

 

 

Last year, we started an annual tradition by seeing the Christmas Carol at the North Shore Music Theater. We decided to keep up the tradition this year. And we were not disappointed.

The show at the NSMT is definitely unique. Because it is told in the round, it does have elements that you have to pay attention to. Fortunately, we were able to follow it well after last year's visit.

While many of the actors come back year after year - including J.T. Turner who plays Fezziwig and also  visits are school as William Shakespeare (and does an amazing job) - there were some new cast members. Still, they were incredible.

The show as a true spectacle and a tradition that we hope to continue year after year. Kudos to a great memory!!!

The One With the Salem Trolley Christmas Carol

 

 

This Friday, December 1, we went to a real treat. We took a ride on the Salem Trolley for a live action version of the Christmas Carol.

What is neat about this event is that Emmie and I took the kids back when Kiff and Bri were really young - Kiff may have been in first grade and Bri in third grade. Although they remember hearing about going, they don't remember the actual trip back then (and probably rightly so, because Kiff was also having trouble with asthma at the time).

Flash forward eight years and we traveled on the Trolley again. This performance may have outdone the other one. Although it was a bit of a gloomy night, and we were racing to get to the trolley depot from Tony C's, we made it on time. In fact, we were one of the first groups there. We picked up the Trolley outside of the old coin shop down by Derby Wharf, which still has some amazing coins.

We were greeted by Bob Crachit. And once me met Scrooge, it was clear he was no ordinary Scrooge. He was playing it up phenomenally. He definitely went after each and every person on the trolley with a droll sense of humor. Emmie and I were "affectionately" called Ken and Barbie after he said, "This is what happens to Ken and Barbie when they get old." And the kids were called the accessories. A ton of fun.

We had three stops along the way. Fuzziwigs was first, which was a lot of fun and audience members had to dance (not us though). The second stop - which was really part of the first stop - was a visit to Bob Crachit's house. Just as she had to do with Kiff before, Bri got to play one of the Crachit children (Kiff was not selected this time). She seemed to quietly revel in the moment, which was great to see.

The last stop took us to the graveyard, where Scrooge came full circle (under the drizzle of the night).

All and all, a great take. And, we got a souvenir chocolate coin!!!

The One With Christmas Carol

 

 

Today, we saw a different version of the Christmas Carol - the one from the North Shore Music Theater. Emmie had told me that this was quite different from versions she has seen before. In fact, because it was theater in the round, it was a very different type of play, with little sets...so we never checked this one out together.

 

We originally had plans to go to our favorite version - which is now at the Hanover Theater. However, a flu bug hit us, to we had to forego that plan last weekend. However, we scrambled to get tickets for the second to last show on Thursday December 22. And it did not disappoint.

Although we had a few snafus - lots of rain and some overzealous ushers at times - it turned out to be a GREAT show. As Emmie said, they had really reworked this show a ton. It has lots of sets coming from above and below stage, as well as wheeled on by actors. And the special effects were awesome.

It was definitely a highlight of our Christmas season!!!

The One With the Christmas Carol

Last night, Emmie, Bri, Kiff, and I had the opportunity to attend the Christmas Carol at the Hanover Theater.

We haven't been in a few years, but always look forward to it. And it did not disappoint. The show is an absolute treasure. We've actually watched the show when it was run at the Stoneham Theater many years ago. Although the show moved to the Hanover in 2008, the original charm, character, and beauty of the show continues to this day.

The mixture of Victorian carols with narration and acting is the perfect blend. The show is truly heartwarming and the perfect way to ring in Christmas week. The sets are lush and lavish, opening up like small books, which is fun. Along with that, it literally snows from the ceiling.

Even neater is that they have a Mighty Wurlitzer organ which plays much of the music during the show. In honor of the end of the Skywalker Saga, they played the Star Wars theme as we left the  building. What a great touch!!!

This is a show everyone should see.

The One With The Christmas Carol

This week, we had the opportunity to do something we have never done. We went to the Salem Christmas Carol on a trolley.

Simply put, it was an incredible experience. Essentially, it is the interactive tale of Scrooge where the audience participates in the journey by trolley. You make stops, take part in scenes, and see the story of the Christmas Carol unfold right before you.

The idea is incredible and it truly was a remarkable experience....and one everyone should take part in. The acting was great - Scrooge was impeccable and he even updated the story when he could in spots to connect to the audience. The interaction allowed us to be part of the story, which was great. Bri and Kiff even had a chance to be two of the Crachit children.

The only downfall is it was raining, so it was hard to see outside the trolley. And, I think the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come Scene might have been done in an actual graveyard otherwise.

But, all and all, this is a perfect Christmas experience...and a new annual tradition for our family!

Thanks so much for the great experience.