Antrim Players and Helen Hayes Theatre Actors Produce Delightful “A Christmas Carol-The Musical”

FOUR STARS!

BY GEORGE J. DACRE

The collaboration of the Antrim Players and the Helen Hayes Youth Theatre brought to the stage at the Tom France Theatre in Wesley Hills a remarkable presentation of Charles Dicken’s famous “A Christmas Carol – The Musical.”

The tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, the miserable tightwad who was frugal with his money and his “bah humbug” attitude toward the celebration of the day Jesus Christ was born, is performed to the max. With a great (taped) orchestration, wonderful costumes and scenery, changing of the various scenes and some really wonderful acting, singing and dancing by an enthusiastic cast, the show comes across very professionally and might be rated the best musical production ever at Antrim.

Marty Andreas, Antrim’s president, is fantastic as “Ebenezer Scrooge.” The cast including Karen Bednarz as the “Ghost Of Christmas Past,” Catherine Brunelle as the “Ghost Of Christmas Future,” Rene Daladan as the “Ghost Of Christmas Present,” Paul Diverio as “Jacob Marley,” Hannah Jennings/Caitlin Kops as “Tiny Tim,” Scott Jones as “Bob Cratchit” and all the other members performed around Scrooge perfectly as the story depicts his newfound ability to grasp “the real meaning of Christmas spirit.”

Directed by Michael Chase Gosselin, choreographed by Lexie Fennell Frare, musically directed by Anthony Travalgini and produced by Danielle Rudess and Marty Andreas, along with Stage Manager Alex Cuttone “A Christmas Carol-The Musical,” comes across with great energy and joy and it was something else on opening night, Saturday.

It will only get better and better. I rate it four stars out of four! Get yourself to the theatre!