"A Christmas Carol" - Adaptation by Troy Siebels - Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts (Worcester, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: John Little returns as “Scrooge” in the Troy Siebels adaptation of "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" by Charles Dickens, now playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. until December 28, 2025. Photo Courtesy Hanover Theatre)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
"No space of regret can make amends for one life's opportunity misused!"
- ("Ebenezer Scrooge") / Charles Dickens
The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts
Presents its Annual Production of
Charles Dickens'
"A CHRISTMAS CAROL"
Written by Charles Dickens
Adapted and Directed by Troy Siebels
Music by Steve Gagliastro*
Associate Director/Music Director Steve Gagliastro*
Choreographer Taavon Gamble^
Organist - Sean Redrow
Cast Includes: John Little* as “Scrooge,” Brad Reinking* as “Jacob Marley,” Lillian Rogers as “Ghost of Christmas Past,” Kai B. White* as “Ghost of Christmas Present,” Takaaki Matsumoto* as “Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come,” Bill Mootos* as “Timothy,” Sarah Milnamow as “Mrs. Cratchit,” Terance Reddick* as “Bob Cratchit,” Steve Gagliastro* as “Mr. Fezziwig/Charitable Gentleman,” Annie Kerins* as “Mrs. Fezziwig,” Aidan Levinson as “Young Ebenezer,” Maggie Clark as “Belle,” Amy Barker* as “Charwoman,” Dan Prior* as “Fred,” Laura D. DeGiacomo* as “Millie (Fred’s Wife),” Tyler Simahk* as “Topper,” Shelly Fawson as “Suzannah,” Channing Rion as “Lucy,” Marta Rymer* as “Laundress/Fiddler,” Andy McLeavey* as “Dick Wilkins,” Charlotte Siebels as “Martha Cratchit,” Samarth Shenoy as “Peter Cratchit,” Isabel Gonzalez-Webster as “Belinda Cratchit,” Angelina Bolentini as “Tiny Tim,” Jonah Moura as “Newsboy/Ignorance,” Ellie Stoddard as “Fan/Want,” Chris Bardizbanian as “Young Scrooge/Ignorance,” Sofia Voloshinov as “Youth Ensemble.”
Additional Creative Team:
Associate Director/Associate Choreographer - Annie Kerins*; Set Design - Kelly James Tighe+; Costume Design - Gail Astrid Buckley+; Lighting Design - Charlie Morrison+; Sound Design - Matt Kraus+; Projections Design - Camilla Tassi; Props Design - S. Michael Getz; Wurlitzer Arrangements - Jim Rice; Flying Effects - ZFX Inc.; Production Stage Manager - Jane Siebels*; Assistant Stage Manager - Sarah MacIntyre*; Assistant Stage Manager - Abby Ray*; VP, Operations and Production - Lisa Hackman; Company Manager - Andrew Plummer; Production Manager - Chadyn Case; Technical Director - Gerald Frentz; Production Assistant - Katerina Pacheco Wolf.
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association
+Member of United Scenic Artists
^Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
Performances:
December 17, 2025 through December 28, 2025
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
Presented at the HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, 2 Southbridge Street, Worcester, MA. 01608
TICKETS:
For Tickets or more information call # 877-571-SHOW (7469) or visit info@thehanovertheatre.org
BUY TICKETS
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.
(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
It is that time of year again as the Hanover Theatre presents Troy Siebels’ live "CHRISTMAS CAROL" staging - and those who have been enjoying the annual event these past 18 years will once again enjoy the wonderous holiday fare.
However, and brand-new for this holiday season, theatregoers will also experience some innovative approaches taken to the material in the always and uniquely inventive staging that is the Hanover Theatre's yearly production of Charles Dickens’ "A CHRISTMAS CAROL."
Lots of communities have their own annual "CHRISTMAS CAROL" production and can be proud that it is their own.
With Worcester’s "CHRISTMAS CAROL" - not only is it an original production, not only does it serve our community well, we can have pride because it is ours…and because it is good. …and it is very, very good.
"A CHRISTMAS CAROL" is undoubtedly the most adapted story by Charles Dickens in the world, which is saying something given the late author's other credits (“The Pickwick Papers,” “Oliver Twist,” “Nicholas Nickleby,” “David Copperfield,” “Bleak House,” “Little Dorrit,” “A Tale of Two Cities,” “Great Expectations”).
In this 18th Anniversary Hanover Theatre production, Siebels’ diverse and inclusive rendering of the Dickensian story using the ensemble serving as narrators continues.
The musical performances are all top notch, once again accompanied by Sean Redrow playing the Mighty Wurlitzer.
Actor John Little makes his fourth appearance as miserly "Ebenezer Scrooge," only this time there is a musical element that the actor has been assigned – still Little continues being entirely on target as the bitter old cheapskate Scrooge.
(Photo: John Little returns as “Scrooge” in the Troy Siebels adaptation of "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" by Charles Dickens, now playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. until December 28, 2025. Photo Courtesy Hanover Theatre)
More traditions continue as the Hanover Theatre ensemble seamlessly blends marvelous returning cast members with new and varied voices.
Also returning are dazzling opulent sets, impeccable period-specific costumes and a tale partially supported by traditional holiday carols that carry the story forward.
The use of these traditional holiday musical selections is consistent with prior years of the Hanover Theatre production.
New to the production, though, is the inclusion of several new songs composed by the show’s music director and longtime "CHRISTMAS CAROL" veteran, Associate Director and Music Director Steve Gagliastro.
Among Gagliastro’s standout musical numbers are “The Bells of London” sung at the top of the show; “Sorry” sung by Scrooge’s nephew, Fred (Dan Prior) and Little as Scrooge; the festive dance number “Molly McGee” sung by Gagliastro as Mr. Fezziwig, supported by the ensemble, and; “Flight of Joy” probably the best new composition in the show, powerfully rendered by the Ghost of Christmas Present (Kai B. White).
If any find themselves surprised by observing Scrooge singing so early in the show, especially in a duet with nephew Fred, you aren’t alone, although the actors do a fine job with the song themselves.
Honestly, I can't think of another version of "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" where Fred actually sings, but it is probably out there.
"Sorry" is a pleasant tune, though.
One of the new songs, “Happy Life,” sung by Scrooge’s lost love Belle (Maggie Clark) seems to need additional work as it stops at a point in time where it feels more of a solid finish is required.
As Belle moves toward a fantastic newly constructed bridge for the show, we expect her to conclude the number strong, poised while looking back at Scrooge before her exit.
However, as the song and scene are currently constructed, Belle abruptly stops singing and runs off, splitting the scene and leaving us all a little bewildered by the ending of what began as a beautiful song.
Playing "Bob Cratchit" is Terance Reddick who brings a jovial quality to the ever-optimistic Cratchit who, in spite of a cruel employer, horrendous working conditions, oppressive poverty and an ailing child, never loses sight of the true blessings he does have in his life - his family.
The Cratchit Family celebrates Christmas Eve by singing together on another new musical number, "Table Song."
Also in this updated "CHRISTMAS CAROL" production is some fine choreography provided by Taavon Gamble with Associate Choreographer Annie Kerins.
The entire cast is as strong as ever, balancing between the new and traditional music along with Gamble’s choreography that propels and augments Siebels’ adaptation.
Audiences who have attended this annual event will either love or hate some of the changes but change is inevitable in life and this production is designed to be ever evolving to keep it from becoming stale.
However, I must admit that, personally, I am sad to see the exclusion of one traditional moment.
It does not lessen how visually spectacular the overall show is but it bears mentioning.
In a scene where Scrooge is first encountered by the anguished apparition of his dead partner, Jacob Marley (well performed by returning actor Brad Reinking), the scene has been re-staged to (spoiler alert) exclude several dropping “chains” from the ceiling, removing one of the defining moments of this annual production.
This may have been for practical reasons as 17 years of multiple heavy chains annually plummeting to the Hanover Theatre stage floor repeatedly for weeks might have taken a collective toll over time - but this new staging of how Marley makes his entrance does not retain the prior significant impact it once held.
Marley warns Scrooge about impending events which will, at the very least, prove graver than Scrooge could ever imagine, and advising Ebenezer of three spirits he can expect to approach soon.
Those spirits include the ethereal "Ghost of Christmas Past" (Lillian Rogers, who returns as the both the ghost and “Match Girl”); the jovial "Ghost of Christmas Present" ( the aforementioned Kai B. White, who also doubles as one of the “Charitable Persons”); and the always soul-stirring “Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come” (this year performed by Takaaki Matsumoto).
All actors are solid in each of their respective portrayals as the immortal tale of Scrooge's reformation is conveyed.
There is a brand-new set design by Kelly James Tighe that meticulously implements multiple projections, incredible specialized lighting and varied special effects.
Even with new names, new faces, new approaches, new sets and new material, "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" maintains its high quality, inventiveness and traditional charm with exuberant performances that Worcester residents and other Hanover Theatre-going veterans have come to expect.
18 years ago, this show began using solely traditional Christmas songs and now it is a hybrid mix of those traditional tunes with Gagliastro's impressive originals.
As this show continues to evolve, one year it will be nice to proudly proclaim how this Worcester original also comes with its own completely original and utterly charming musical score.
The cheerful annual holiday production of the Hanover Theatre's "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" continues through December 28th, 2026.
Looking ahead at 2026 and the Hanover Theatre Broadway Series - Several shows in the highly anticipated line-up include:
- The Bob Fosse musical "CHICAGO" struts with jazz hands open onto the Hanover Theatre stage between January 9th through January 11th, 2026.
- Continuing a simply electrifying 2025-2026 Broadway Series season will be the percussion phenomenon "STOMP," co-created by Steve McNicholas and Luke Cresswell, starting February 20th and stomping through February 22nd, 2026.
- Meredith Willson's immortal musical "THE MUSIC MAN" marches into the city of Worcester on May 15th with the band playing on until May 17th, 2026.
- The Broadway musical "MRS. DOUBTFIRE" marches into the city of Worcester on June 26th until June 28th, 2026.
The Hanover Theatre 2026 season also includes performances from their new Dance Series:
- Cirque Kalabanté on February 18th, 2026;
- Parsons Dance on April 2nd, 2026, and;
- Dance Theatre of Harlem on May 9th, 2026.
Additionally, Hanover Theatre's THT REP Series at the BrickBox Theater will offer the following shows:
- William Shakespeare's "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM" from January 28th, 2026 through February 14th, 2026, and;
- "WHO IS EARTHA MAE" created and performed by Jade Wheeler beginning April 8th, 2026 and running until April 19th, 2026.
For tickets and more information, contact Hanover Theatre at # 877-571-SHOW (7469) or via email at info@thehanovertheatre.org
Approximately two hours, 15 minutes with one intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
Adapted by Main Stage Artistic Director, Troy Siebels, The Hanover Theatre proudly presents its 18th annual production of "A CHRISTMAS CAROL."
Experience the classic family favorite in a whole new way this holiday season with a completely reimagined set, new music, choreography, lighting, and projections!
Award-winning set designer, Kelly James Tighe, brings the show to new heights with fresh scenery creating the perfect playground for state-of-the art projections and innovative lighting design.
New York-based actor John Little reprises the epic role of "Ebenezer Scrooge" noted to be “simply marvelous as the bitter old cheapskate” (METRMag).
Featuring original music composed by Worcester’s own Steve Gagliastro, this festive holiday favorite is accompanied by the Mighty Wurlitzer for "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" that is timeless, nostalgic, and one-of-a-kind.
Be sure to get seated early to enjoy a special pre-show concert featuring the largest and most versatile theatre pipe organ in New England, led by accomplished organist Sean Redrow.
Recommended for ages 6 and up.
Please note: Theatrical fog and haze, dynamic lighting, and loud sound effects are used during the performance. These elements help bring the story to life..
Approximately two hours, 15 minutes with one intermission
BUY TICKETS
Please contact the box office at 877-571-SHOW (7469) for more information.
ABOUT HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Worcester Center for Performing Arts is a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which owns and operates The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
2 Southbridge Street
Worcester, MA. 01608
# 877-571-SHOW (7469)
