PRODUCTION DESCRIPTION

The play based on the classic Dickens novel recounts the tale of Ebenzer Scrooge, a crotchety curmudgeon who has lost faith in his fellow man and the spirit of Christmas – rejecting an invitation from his nephew, Fred, and bemoaning having to give the day off to his overworked clerk, Bob Cratchitt. Then, one night, the spirit of his former business partner visits and later sends three ghosts who to show the old miser Christmases past, present, and future. Scrooge must decide whether to continue on his path of gloom or change his ways.

CHARACTER LISTING

*This production of A Christmas Carol will be performed by 16-20 actors, with most playing multiple roles. We are looking for a diverse company of versatile actors of all ages who are comfortable with heightened language, some classical singing, and some movement. Some of the primary roles are listed below. Please note that most of the cast will portray multiple characters from the following list, in addition to other roles*

Ebenezer Scrooge: (50s) Strong actor comfortable with heightened language. Miserly, greedy owner of a London counting-house. Visited by three spirits and the ghost of Jacob Marley throughout the show in an attempt to change his ways. 

Narrator: (50s) She is the audience’s guide through the play. Strong actor comfortable with heightened language. 

Ghost of Christmas Past: (10-12) Female presenting. A spirit that appears young and lively. Represents all of the Christmases from Scrooge’s past. Visits Scrooge to show Scrooge moments from his past. 

Ghost of Christmas Present: (20s-30s) A loud, jovial spirit that shows Scrooge the various celebrations of Christmas in the present day, including that of the Cratchit family. 

Jacob Marley (ghost): (50s) Scrooge’s late accounting partner who died years ago on Christmas Eve. He was equally greedy as Scrooge, and appears to Scrooge as a ghost to warn him. 

Bob Cratchit: (30s-40s) Scrooge’s underpaid clerk. Cares deeply for his large family although they live in poverty.

Mrs. Cratchit: (30s-40s) Bob Cratchit’s hard-working and loving wife. 

Fred Holywell: (20s-30s) Scrooge’s friendly, kind nephew and only family member. The son of Scrooge’s sister Fan, who died soon after Fred’s birth. He and Scrooge are not close. 

Young Scrooge: (17-25) Scrooge’s younger and uncertain self, just entering adulthood.

Belle: (17-25) A beautiful, young woman Scrooge fell in love with as a young man. Their differing views on wealth eventually push the two apart.

Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig: Mr. Fezziwig was Scrooge’s first employer. Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig are good people who treat their workers well. They threw a large Christmas party each year. 

Tiny Tim: (10-12) The youngest Cratchit child. Tiny Tim is sickly, and walks with a crutch. 

Martha, Peter, and Belinda: (12-16) The elder Cratchit children 

Boy Scrooge: (10-12) Ebenezer Scrooge as a child, appearing during Christmas Past’s visit. A lonely child. 

Fan: (10-12) Scrooge’s kind, beloved sister, appearing during Christmas Past’s visit.  

Ignorance and Want (ghosts): Two children who represent the worst of humanity. Introduced to Scrooge by the Ghost of Christmas Present