{"id":30759,"date":"2013-11-21T16:05:50","date_gmt":"2013-11-21T21:05:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom2\/2013\/11\/21\/a-christmas-carol-is-a-northern-essex-tradition\/"},"modified":"2026-05-18T17:14:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T21:14:14","slug":"a-christmas-carol-is-a-northern-essex-tradition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/necc.edu\/newsroom\/2013\/11\/21\/a-christmas-carol-is-a-northern-essex-tradition\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cA Christmas Carol,\u201d is a Northern Essex Tradition"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Theatre<\/a>

Theatre professor Jim Murphy will once again take on the role of Scrooge during NECC's annual production of "A Christmas Carol".<\/p><\/div>While some may think of Charles Dickens\u2019s \u201cA Christmas Carol\u201d as a classic, at Northern Essex Community College it is a tradition.<\/p>\n

What started as a department fundraiser for the college\u2019s performing arts nearly 15 years ago has evolved into an annual, holiday affair that is shared with the entire community. The cast is comprised of an eclectic mix of NECC students, faculty, staff, as well as their family members.<\/p>\n

Each year, it is 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 is no different. Performances will be held Friday, December 13, at 7 p.m., Saturday, December 14, at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 15, at 2 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. <\/p>\n

The adaptation of the story written in 1844, is one that longtime NECC theater professors Jim Murphy and his wife Susan Sanders are very familiar with. For nearly all the 15 productions Murphy has acted and\/or directed in the production while Sanders has overseen the set direction and costuming, as well as playing smart parts.
\nMurphy and Sanders, with precision time-management, can execute the production in just three weeks. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happens at the end of those three weeks, in the span of two hours, is a gift to the community,\u201d Murphy says. \u201cIt is pure magic. The story is simply told and advanced with the assistance of four Madrigal singers in a very intimate space.\u201d <\/p>\n

Murphy, who has played the dialogue heavy role of Ebenezer Scrooge many times, acknowledges that the theatrical event has taken on a life of its own, attracting aspiring thespians from the classroom and the boardroom.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a very intense three weeks followed by an intense weekend. The camaraderie that develops among the cast members is wonderful,\u201d says Murphy. \u201cThe audience sees and feels that energy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cast List:
\nAmesbury
\nAssistant Stage Manager – Rowan Andriotakis
\nBelinda Cratchitt – Zo\u00eb Glenn
\nParty Guest – Thomasina Glenn
\nUndertaker – Dustin P. Kelly<\/p>\n

Bradford
\nBelle\u2019s Husband – Erik Mueller <\/p>\n

Byfield
\nMadrigal-Coty Lennon Markee<\/p>\n

Chester, NH
\nParty guest- Alex Spinelli <\/p>\n

Danvers
\nMrs. Fezziwig – Thera Driscoll <\/p>\n

Derry, NH
\nYoung Scrooge – Paul Kelly
\nStage Manager – Amanda Kehoe <\/p>\n

Exeter
\nChristmas Present – A.J. Mayo <\/p>\n

Hampstead, NH
\nEbenezer Scrooge – Jim Murphy
\nDesigner – Susan Sanders<\/p>\n

Georgetown
\nParty guest – Tori Lessard <\/p>\n

Haverhill
\nChristmas Past – Christine Murphy
\nFred\u2019s Wife – Anastasia Michitson <\/p>\n

Merrimac
\nMartha – Skye Augustonovich
\nMaid – Faith Gregory
\nBoy in the Street – Hunter Augustonovich
\nMadrigals – Alisa Bucchiere <\/p>\n

Methuen
\nBob Cratchitt – Dave Charest
\nMrs. Cratchitt – Maurisa Charest
\nTiny Tim – Emily Charest\/Jonnie Charest
\nWant – Emily Charest\/Jonnie Charest <\/p>\n

Lawrence
\n3rd Man – Michael Ross
\nFan – Kiaralis Vasquez <\/p>\n

Lowell
\nBelle – Samantha Wheatley <\/p>\n

Newburyport
\nChristmas Future – Colin Sarff
\nLaundress – Marilyn Johnston
\nCharity Man – Karl Chambers <\/p>\n

Newmarket, NH
\nUncle Fezziwig – Robert Peter Mantegani <\/p>\n

Rowley
\nMadrigal \u2013Chip Bliss<\/p>\n

Salem, NH
\nMadrigal-Hannah Heckman-McKenna <\/p>\n

Salisbury
\nFred\u2019s Housekeeper – Alex Canning<\/p>\n

Tewksbury
\nJacob Marley – Matthew James Lewis
\nDick Wilkins, Man in Street, and Party Guest – Renan Fontes<\/p>\n

York, ME
\nFred – Mark Mahoney<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While some may think of Charles Dickens\u2019s \u201cA Christmas Carol\u201d as a classic, at Northern Essex Community College it is a tradition. 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