Celebrate the season with McCarter’s annual production of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, “A Christmas Carol.” Join Ebenezer Scrooge on a magical journey and experience the goodwill and generosity of spirit. The show is directed by Michael Unger with scenery by Ming Cho Lee and costumes by Jess Goldstein.
This is the third year in the production for Noah Hinsdale of West Windsor. He played the role of Tiny Tim for two years. Now he is Turkey Boy, a poor caroler, and a school boy. “I was very excited to meet the new cast and to see my old friends,” says Noah about walking into the first rehearsal this year. “I’m excited to help out the younger actors.”
It is a turnaround to go from playing Tiny Tim to Turkey Boy. “It’s fun to play both sides of this scene,” says Noah. “I like seeing the surprise and happiness on the faces of the Cratchit family when I deliver the turkey to them.”
His favorite moments of his character as Turkey Boy include trying to catch the coin and carrying the big turkey. “It’s very hard to catch the coin because it’s so small,” he says. “Sometimes I catch it.”
Annual audience members always question how heavy that turkey actually is — depending on the actor carrying it. “The director, Michael Unger, helped me to make it look like it is very heavy — but it’s only about 15 pounds.” Noah’s favorite scene to watch in “A Christmas Carol” is the Fezziwig Dance.
All children who want to be in the show must audition every year. “I always have fun at the audition,” says Noah. “I was happy because I got to read different lines this year at the audition since I was auditioning for a different part.”
Last season Noah played the Child Minotaur in Emily Mann’s production of “Phaedra Backwards” at McCarter. The rehearsal process is very different from “A Christmas Carol.” “‘Phaedra Backwards’ was a lot of fun because the cast and crew and director were all so great, but I didn’t get to see most of the play because of things in it that I wasn’t allowed to watch,” says Noah. “During ‘A Christmas Carol’ rehearsals I can watch the whole thing and understand the whole story.”
Noah recently played the role of Young Guido in the musical “Nine” at Rider University. “I got to sing a whole song,” he says. “I love being on stage in all types of shows.”
Noah, 8, is a third grade student at Princeton Friends School. He studies acting with Jody Wood at JW Actor’s Studio in Plainsboro. He practices tap and jazz at Princeton Dance and Theater. Noah also plays soccer at Princeton Friends School and with West Windsor-Plainsboro Soccer Association. He attends Hebrew school at Congregation Beth Chaim.
His mother, Margie, is a physical therapist working at RWJ Center for Health and Wellness in Hamilton. His father, John, is a software engineer working on an educational data platform. His brother, Jonas, is in kindergarten at Maurice Hawk School.
The family attends theater events as often as possible. “My uncle is a musician on Broadway and he is occasionally able to get us tickets,” says Noah who has seen “Wicked,” “Mary Poppins,” and “Newsies” on Broadway.
“I feel more mature and I have more experience now,” he says. “I also like being in a different role because I get to be a caroler in my new role and I love to sing.”
A Christmas Carol, McCarter Theater, 91 University Place, Princeton. Holiday classic by Charles Dickens. $20 to $60. On stage through Friday, December 28. 609-258-2787 or www.mccarter.org.
A Christmas Carol, Playhouse 22, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick. Weekends, Friday, December 7, to Sunday, December 16. Classic story adapted and directed by Tony Adase. Through December 16. $20. 732-254-3939 or www.playhouse22.org.
Marissa Marciana, a sixth grade student at Grover Middle School, plays the role of Mary Cratchit in “A Christmas Carol” at Playhouse 22. Last season she appeared as Baby Louise in the theater’s production of “Gypsy” and then repeated the role at Actors’ Net.
