NSMT ditches 20th annual Christmas Carol, replaces with best musical evar!

[Mythus]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 11:52am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=26852

Any other Massachusetts-ians astounded by this?

For those who don't know, A Christmas Carol has played at North Shore Music Theatre every Christmas season for the past nineteen years. It has become a tradition for many, many families, as well as a staple in the NSMT yearly lineup, and I always look forward to seeing it.

This year, however...well, here's a note about it from today's Boston Globe (courtesy of a friend):

North Shore Music Theatre will replace its annual production of "A Christmas Carol" with "Disney's High School Musical 2" for the upcoming holiday season. Barry Ivan, the company's artistic director and executive producer, will direct and choreograph the show, which is adapted from the hit movie. "High School Musical 2" runs Dec. 18-Jan. 11. "A Christmas Carol" will return in 2009.

To say that I'm blindsided by this would be a gross understatement. Seriously, Barry Ivan?

ETA: Hey, hey now, leave my witty subject alone. I spent at least twenty-five minutes on it. Updated On: 4/11/08 at 11:52 AM

[jaystarr]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 12:01pm

GROSS!

But I dont really LIKE to go to NMST.. no offense.. Beverly is too far to drive from Boston! Everytime I drive there.. I am almost late due to traffic ( accidents in Rt.128 or I93) and knowing me.. I hate that! I am ALWAYS 30 mins early to a show...

I dont like the circular stage, and i cannot remember any shows that's worth my time going there...

I'd rather take a 4 hour bus ride to NYC and another 4 hour ride back home...At least I am seeing the REAL sh***!

I am not big fan of North Shore Music Theater. I am happy its on the North Shore for residents in Peabody, Beverly, Salem and even Gloucester..

J*


Updated On: 4/11/08 at 12:01 PM

Posted: 4/11/08 at 12:03pm

Everyone's seen Christmas carol! BO-Ring! Bring on HSM! Deck the halls with boughs of Sharpei!

[jaystarr]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 12:04pm

and are they doing Christmas Carol since the time of Bush, Sr.!?

J*

Posted: 4/11/08 at 12:20pm

The Goodman in Chicago has presented the Christmas Carol for 30 years. It is still a sell out. They will not be switching to HSM any time soon.

[HRman]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 1:45pm

Well, with any hope they will bring back the leads of the last production, namely Kate Rockwell and Andrew Keenan-Bolger, who were rays of light in an otherwise lukewarm production. I'm certainly no high school musical fan, but I would definitely truck it back down to Beverly to see these two again.

[jrb]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 1:54pm

I went to the Northshore a lot as a kid. It being in the round didn't bother me. It forced inovation, I think.

But why HS Musical 2!? Why not another classic piece? I know theaters like to switch it up but usually they at least try to stick with the idea of history or tradition.

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 2:43pm

Why? Why? Why? WHY?

[jaystarr]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 2:52pm

Yup. I just got their e-mail....


Another Crap!

[Yero]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 3:41pm

Are you ****ting me????

[Princeton78]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 3:43pm

Actually Jaystarr,
The NSMT is a wonderful, Equity theatre bringing affordable productions to people who might not otherwise get to them. Some of their shows are misses, but many are fantastic. The shows have equity players and equity musicians. I've seen many a chorus member there go on to do wonderful things on Broadway. I'd say Donna McKecknie in "A Little Night Music" or Ellen Greene in "Oliver," or Jonathan Groff in "Fame" might be worth the 20 minute trip from Boston. Wouldn't you?

[jaystarr]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 4:01pm

Oh..dont get me wrong? I love any theater!

Its just I never had luck with NSMT... I am sure one of these days.. I will fall in love with their productions...time will come!

I think part of my problem~being a very visual person...is the circular theater- in which most of their productions does not have a lot of scenery. Its very scale down.

Though I think a Regional productions of Spelling Bee or Xanadu would work perfectly there...I think I would see CONTACT there this Spring.

J*

[Flaunt It]

Posted: 4/11/08 at 10:49pm

I have seen some shows at NSMT that surpassed the Boradway or touring productions (Pacific Overtures, Aida, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Jesus Christ Superstar) and I have seen some real turds (Nine, Dracula, Chicago, I Sent a Letter to My Love).

I know the place needs money.. but why mess with people's Christmas... at least offer another Christmas show to spice things up. Last year's HSM was a circus and the show was crap with the exception of Kate and Andrew... the other leads were dull and the choreography was laughable ... some old gheezers idea of how the hipsters move these days!
Updated On: 4/11/08 at 10:49 PM

[Neverandy]

Posted: 4/12/08 at 8:23am

There's no such thing as an "equity musician". There's Union Musicians (Members of AFM). And some might also be actors too, so they join Equity. But Actors Equity Association has no jurisdiction over musicians.