Narrows Community Theater presents the world premiere of new holiday musical

‘The Most Miserable Christmas Tree’ Will Debut at Fort Hamilton Army Base Theater

November 28, 2016 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle

The cast of “The Most Miserable Christmas Tree” pose for a photo. Photo by Annapurna Sinha

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Narrows Community Theater (NCT) will launch the world premiere of “The Most Miserable Christmas Tree,” a whimsical and enchanting new holiday musical. It will debut in December at the Fort Hamilton Army Base Theater.

This original family musical, the brainchild of authors Tim Sulka and Debra Barsha, was inspired by the countless Christmas trees discarded on the streets after the holiday.

The main character Douglas Fir enthusiastically tells the audience about the joys of being decorated and his happiest days leading up to Christmas. Unfortunately, on Dec. 26 Douglas is stripped of adornment, thrown to the curb and left in a pile of trash.

Sulka and Barsha wanted to create a world where trees had some say in their fate. Sulka explains, “Our show is about second chances. About finding a purpose when the world tells you you’re done.” Barsha adds, “Douglas Fir is a Christmas tree who only wants to be decorated again. Through his journey, Douglas finds that sometimes it’s not about what you get that fulfills you, but what you give back.”

Sulka co-wrote the Miramax/Dimension feature film, “Children of the Corn 666.” He also co-wrote and co-produced the graphic novel, “Prime Cuts,” which is based on the legend of Sweeney Todd.

Barsha won the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Award for the score to “Radiant Baby.” She currently plays keyboards, sings and is the associate conductor of Broadway’s “Jersey Boys.”

NCT is a nonprofit organization that began producing shows in 1971. They are celebrating 45 years of bringing theatrical entertainment to the community.

NCT Publicity Chair Allison Greaker told the Brooklyn Eagle, “What is great about Bay Ridge and NCT is we meet and work with so many different people. NCT has inspired so many of its members to branch out and produce their own theater. We continue to work with the same core people in different venues.”

“The Most Miserable Christmas Tree” features the talent of adults and children of the Bay Ridge Community and beyond. This new musical is being directed and choreographed by Michael Chase Gosselin, who also directed NCT’s production of “South Pacific” in 2015. The show’s Musical Director is Paolo C. Perez, and Marialana Ardolino is the company stage manager.

Performance dates and times for “The Most Miserable Christmas Tree” are:

Friday, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $25 for adults; $20 for seniors and students and $15 for children under the age 12. For reservations or further information please call (718) 482-3173. Email or order tickets online at [email protected] or visit narrowscommunitytheater.com.

Military service members and their families (with military ID) receive complimentary tickets to all NCT productions.