THE STORY:
The opening numbers are “The Years Are Passing By” and “Jolly, Rich, and Fat”. In later productions the two numbers are combined as “Jolly Good Time.” Scrooge first encounters the three ghosts of Christmas in their real-world guises as a lamplighter (Past), a charity show barker (Present), and a blind beggar woman (Future) (“Nothing to Do With Me”). Scrooge’s long-suffering employee Bob Cratchit, and Bob’s son Tiny Tim, purchase a Christmas chicken (“You Mean More to Me”).
The visit of the ghost of Jacob Marley (“Link By Link”), features a half-dozen singing, dancing spirits presented with various levels of makeup and special effects. One of these ghosts in this version is known to be an old colleague of Scrooge and Marley’s, Mr. Haynes, who was said to be “mean to the bone”, resulting in his charred skeleton. Other puns include a spirit with a safe embedded in his chest, who “never had a heart”.
The Ghost of Christmas Past reinforces the character’s signature theme of illuminating Scrooge’s worldview (“The Lights of Long Ago”). One notable departure from Dickens’ novella in this portion of the film is its depiction of Ebenezer Scrooge’s father, identified as John William Scrooge, being sentenced to debtors’ prison while his horrified family looks on; this scene was inspired by an actual occurrence from Dickens’ own childhood.
The Ghost of Christmas Present (“Abundance and Charity” and “Christmas Together”), makes his point that Christmas is a time for celebration, generosity, and fellowship. The former takes place at a fantastical version of the charity show he was seen promoting on Christmas Eve, and the latter whisks Scrooge on a tour of London that includes the homes of his nephew Fred, his clerk Bob Cratchit, and Mr. Smythe, a recently widowed client of Scrooge’s lending house.
The entire Christmas Future (“Dancing On Your Grave”, “You Mean More to Me (Reprise)”, and “Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Today”), culminates in Scrooge’s awakening in his bedroom on Christmas morning.
“What a Day, What a Sky” bookends “Nothing to Do With Me”, dramatizing Scrooge’s new outlook as he races through the streets of London making amends. The show concludes with a reprise of “Christmas Together” featuring the entire cast.
Character Descriptions
Scrooge – Ric McFadden
Cratchit – John Tischer
Blind 0ld Hag/Ghost of Christmas Future – Emily Gray
Lamplighter/Ghost of Christmas Past – Grace Buehler
Sandwich Board Man/Ghost of Christmas Present – Joshua Bain
Marley/Mr. Smythe/ Ensemble – Dorian Dowd
Tiny Tim – Lucas Gardner
Mrs. Cratchit – Ashton Kirton
Fred/Young Ebeneezer – Miles Jernagan
Scrooge’s Father/Young Marley/Harry/Ensemble – Noah Pettit
Emily/Sally Anderson – Ella Tischer
Grace Smythe/Fan – Josie Tischer
Mr. Fezziwig – Brad Sandy
Mrs. Fezziwig – Shelly McFadden
Mrs. Hawkins/Fishmonger – Suzanne Funk
Fred’s Son/10/12 year old Scrooge/Nikolas/Ensemble – Elijah Neeley
Charity Man/Banker/Ensemble – Dave Neeley
Old Joe/Judge/Ensemble – TBA
Martha Cratchit/Ensemble – Cheyanne Newlin
Scrooge’s Mother/Ensemble – Hannah Newlin
Mrs. Mops/Woman 1/Ensemble – Amanda Henry
Jonathon/Ensemble – Michael Henry
Charity Nun/Ensemble – Sadie Henry
Rich Lady/Ensemble – Kendra Miller
Charity Nun/Ensemble – Kaylie Rohrbaugh
Char Woman/Ensemble – Ruth Rothgerber
Cratchit Child/Ensemble – Ellen Blackledge
Cratchit Child/Ensemble – Nicolette Blackledge
Rich Woman/Ensemble – Olivia Elkins
Ensemble – Samantha Funk
Ensemble – Catherine Ryan-Shager
Ensemble – Trenton Bright
Ensemble – Klaire Scheibe
Boy Worker/Ensemble – Quinn Dory
Ensemble – Sarah Ryan
Stage Manager Brandon Wunderlich
Stage Crew: Jennifer Wunderlich, Randy Funk, Steve Hunters, Maggie Dory
A Christmas Carol (Broadway Version)
is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
www.MTIShows.com
YOU CAN LISTEN TO THE SCORE HERE.