Overview
Synopsis
A Christmas Carol is the Broadway adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 1843 festive novella. It tells the tale of the curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge. A prosperous businessman, he believes that personal wealth and heartless financial tactics are much more valuable than the friendship, happiness, and comfort of those around him. He treats his employee, Bob Cratchit, and his family with the same disdain and coldness that he shows everyone else. Scrooge’s miserable nature comes to a crescendo during the Christmas period--”Bah! Humbug!” However, this Christmas, he is forced to come face to face with his selfish ways when he is confronted by three ghosts on Christmas Eve: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Future. In the course of one night, Scrooge is forced to recognize his faults and gains the chance to make amends. He greets the dawning Christmas morning with an unusually cheerful, “Happy Christmas” and finally reconnects with those that mean the most to him.
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Context
A Christmas Carol is based on Charles Dickens’ well-known 1843 novella of the same name. It premiered at the Paramount Theatre in Madison Square Garden in December 1994, where it ran annually until 2003. During this time, several well-known actors performed the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge, including Tim Curry, Jim Dale, Frank Langella, and Terence Mann. In 2004, the musical was adapted for television and premiered on NBC with Kelsey Grammar in the lead role, supported by Jason Alexander
to read the context for A Christmas Carol and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
As the musical opens, the “London Town Carol” is heard across the Royal Exchange. Christmas is coming and everyone is waiting for the Exchange to close and the holiday season to officially begin (“A Jolly Good Time”). Mr. Smythe and his daughter, Grace, appear, looking for Ebenezer Scrooge. They have come to ask for a little more time on their mortgage repayment as Smythe needs money for his wife’s funeral, but his please fall on deaf ears. Scrooge is then approached to give money to the poor
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Character Portrayals
See StageAgent members who have performed roles in A Christmas Carol.
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Songs
A Jolly Good Time - Ensemble
Nothing to Do With Me – Scrooge, Cratchit
Street Song (Nothing To Do With Me) – Scrooge, Cratchit, Fred, Jonathan, Sandwich Board Man, Lamplighter, Blind Old Hag, Ensemble
You Mean More To Me - Cratchit, Tiny Tim
Link By Link – Ghost of Jacob Marley, Ensemble
The Lights of Long Ago (Part 1) – Ghost of Christmas Past, Scrooge Family
God Bless Us, Everyone – Scrooge's Mother, Fan (aged 6), Scrooge (aged 8)
A Place Called Home – Scrooge at 12, Fan, Scrooge at 18, Emily, Scrooge
*Mr. Fezziwig's Annual Christmas Ball – Fezziwig, Mrs. Fezziwig, Scrooge, Ghost of Christmas Past,
Ensemble
The Lights of Long Ago (Part 2) – Scrooge (aged 18), Marley as a Young Man, Emily, People from Scrooge's Past
Abundance And Charity – Ghost of Christmas Present, Ensemble
Christmas Together – Tiny Tim, Ghost of Christmas Present, Cratchit Family, Fred, Ensemble
Dancing On Your Grave – Scrooge, Mrs. Mops, Ensemble
Yesterday, Tomorrow And Today – Scrooge
Nothing to Do With Me (reprise) - Scrooge
Christmas Together (reprise) – Company
God Bless Us Everyone – Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Key Terms
A musical with a well-structured narrative that integrates songs, dialogue, and dance to advance plot and character development.
Relating to the period of Queen Victoria’s reign (1837–1901), which influenced theatrical style, costume, and themes.
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher