Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL THE MUSICAL at The Growing Stage

"To understand the present, remember the past."

By the Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol: The Musical

The Growing Stage, The Children's Theatre of New Jersey is presenting a marvelous, full-scale production of A Christmas Carol: The Musical now through December 18th. Welcome the holiday season with this Charles Dickens classic that features music by Alan Menkin, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and the book by Lynn Ahrens and Mike Ockrent. The Growing Stage's Creative Team has done a fantastic job of bringing the hit musical to life with direction by Stephen L. Fredericks, musical direction by Stephen Fox and choreography by Jillian Petrie. This year's show features an expanded cast and inventive new staging.

In A Christmas Carol, Scrooge is a prosperous curmudgeon who believes that his personal wealth is more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. He must face his selfishness when he is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve that lead him through visions of his past, present, and future. Scrooge experiences a true epiphany and greets Christmas morning with renewed spirit before spending the day connecting with his family and the friends that mean the most to him.

The company of A Christmas Carol: The Musical is a top-notch troupe that includes professional actors rounded out by a talented group of youngsters and adults. Leading the cast with outstanding performances are John Patrick Cleary as Scrooge; Danny Campos as Mr. Fezziwig/Old Joe; Cara Ganski as Ghost of Christmas Past; Lori Lawrence as Mrs. Fezziwig/Mrs. Mops and Nikole Rizzo as Mrs. Cratchit.

You'll love the variety of musical numbers, wonderfully performed that include "Link by Link" by Jacob Marley & The Ghosts; "Lights of Long Ago" with Ghost of Christmas Past and Scrooge's Mother; "Mr. Fizziwig's Annual Christmas Ball" featuring Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig and Ensemble; "A Place Called Home" with Young Ebenezer, Emily and Scrooge; "Abundance and Charity" by Ghost of Christmas Present & Dancing Girls and "Christmas Together" (Reprise) with the full Ensemble.

The Production Staff has done a great job of bringing A Christmas Carol: The Musical to the Netcong stage with costumes by Lori B. Lawrence, Scaramouche Costumes LLC; set props design and construction by Perry Arthur Kroeger and lighting design by S.L Fredericks. Becky Nitka is the Stage Manager.

A Christmas Carol: The Musical is an elaborate theatrical event that will be enjoyed everyone, young and old alike. This is a show that grows richer with time. Get your tickets now and plan an outing to see it.

A Christmas Carol: The Musical will be performed at The Growing Stage, The Children's Theatre of New Jersey through December 18th on Fridays at 7:30 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00 pm. The show runs for 75 minutes with one intermission. There is a special performance on Sunday, December 4th at 3:00 pm followed by the Netcong Holiday Parade. The theatre is located at 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857. Call 973.347.4946 or visit http://www.growingstage.com/.

Photo Credit: Jerry Dalia