Overview
Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey toward redemption, aided by the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet To Come, is freshly told in this masterful dramatization which has become a standard throughout the country. Drawing deeply from Dickens’ own words, with evocative music and lyrics newly adapted from traditional sources, A CHRISTMAS CAROL is both a joyous piece of theatre and a moving reminder of the necessity of good will and humanity in the world—not just in Dickens’ time, but in our own.
Casting & Production
Casting
Ebenezer Scrooge
Ebenezer the Child
Ebenezer the Young Man
Bob Cratchit
Mrs. Cratchit
Martha
Peter
Belinda
Edward
Tiny Tim
Ghost of Jacob Marley
Ghost of Christmas Past
Ghost of Christmas Present
Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come
Want
Ignorance
Fred (Scrooge’s Nephew)
Fred’s Wife (The Niece)
Topper
Wife’s Sister
Female Guest
Male Guest
A Street Singer
A Beggar Child
First Subscription Gentleman
Second Subscription Gentleman
A Boy Passing By
Fan (Scrooge’s Sister)
Fezziwig
Mrs. Fezziwig
The Misses Fezziwig
Their Suitors
Dick Wilkins
A Fiddler
Belle
Belle’s Husband
A Woman and Man, Debtors
Old Joe
Charwoman
Laundress
Undertaker’s Man
Labourers, Maids, Schoolmaster and Schoolboys, Parents, Party Guests, Londoners, Phantoms.
Note on Casting
There are any number of doubling possibilities for the cast, to arrive at a company that’s workable for a particular production—any and all of which are encouraged, including one that is smaller in size than indicated here. As a starting point, this is one possibility which has proved effective, requiring 17 adults and 6 children.
Setting
PLACE
London
TIME
Time Past, Present, and Yet To Come
Carols & Songs
ACT ONE
Advent Carol: First Refrain
Montage: Labourer’s Carol/God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Song of the Spirits/Advent Carol: Second Refrain
Schoolboys’ Merry Christmas
Home at Christmastide
The Hearty, The True and The Bold*
Gifts of the Heart
Song of the Spirits (reprise)/Advent Carol: Third Refrain
ACT TWO
Wassail Song
Londoner’s Carol
Home at Christmastide (reprise)
Advent Carol: Fourth Refrain
Advent Carol: Fifth Refrain
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen/Advent Carol: Sixth Refrain
*Words by Charles Dickens, adapt. by R. Hellesen
Reviews
“This version of Charles Dickens’ tale, adapted by Richard Hellesen with music by David de Berry, is a gift…an edifying, possibly perfect holiday tale of hubris and redemption. The region’s best production!”
—Denver Post
“A gem, reinvigorating the familiar story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his agonizing redemption…an overwhelmingly good production.”
—Rochester NY Democrat and Chronicle
“When you turn to Dickens’ original novella, or to a fine dramatization, you realize the emotional power that has caused the tale to endure. So it is with this adaptation, which remains the finest we know.”
—Sacramento Bee
