AUDITION DATES:
Monday, September 30, 2024 at 7:00pm
Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 7:00pm
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
Read from the script at the director’s discretion
LOCATION:
Stewart Theater (114 N. Wilson Avenue, Dunn, NC 28334)
PERFORMANCE DATES:
Friday, November 15, 2024 at 7:00PM
Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 7:00PM
Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 2:30PM
Friday, November 22, 2024 at 7:00PM
Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 7:00PM
Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 2:30PM
Directors: Amy Langdon and Julie Sultan
All performance roles are volunteer.
Show Synopsis
Ebenezer Scrooge is a miserly man who despises Christmas. Scrooge started a business with Jacob Marley, who was very similar to Scrooge, but since Marley died Scrooge runs the business alone, treating one of his staff members, Bob Cratchit, very poorly.
One night Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley, who warns Scrooge that if he does not become kinder he will have an awful fate after death. Marley tells Scrooge that in the coming nights he will be visited by three more ghosts. Initially Scrooge fails to take the warning seriously but as the ghostly visits become more terrifying, Scrooge begins to realise that he must change his ways.
By the end of the story Scrooge has completely transformed, having learnt the importance of charity, friendship and generosity. Christmas is now his favourite time of the year and he does all he can to help Bob Cratchit and his family.
Character Breakdown
Charles Dickens himself appears as a character who serves as both a narrator and a commentator on the events of the story. Dickens interacts with the audience, providing context and reflections on the tale. His presence adds a layer of meta-narrative, emphasizing the timeless relevance of the story’s themes of redemption and transformation.
Ebenezer Scrooge, the miserly protagonist of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, is a cold-hearted, greedy businessman who despises Christmas and human connection. Over the course of the story, he undergoes a profound transformation after being visited by three spirits, leading him to embrace generosity, compassion, and the joy of the holiday season.
Young Ebenezer is an ambitious, hardworking apprentice who prioritizes success and wealth over relationships and happiness. Though once full of hope and love, he gradually becomes more focused on money, leading him down a path of isolation and emotional coldness.
Schoolboy Scrooge, a young version of Ebenezer Scrooge, appears in flashbacks during the story. He is portrayed as a lonely and neglected child, left alone at school while his peers enjoy the Christmas holiday.
Belle, Scrooge’s former fiancée, is a kind and loving woman who once shared a deep connection with him. However, as Scrooge becomes increasingly consumed by his pursuit of wealth, Belle realizes their values have diverged, leading her to end their relationship for the sake of her own happiness.
The Ghost of Christmas Past, one of the three spirits in A Christmas Carol, appears as a mysterious, glowing figure representing memory and reflection. It guides Scrooge on a journey through his earlier life, revealing moments of joy, loss, and regret, to help him understand how his past choices shaped the man he has become.
The Ghost of Christmas Present, a jolly and generous figure, embodies the spirit of the current holiday season. It takes Scrooge on a tour of the present, showing him the joy and warmth of Christmas in the lives of others, including those less fortunate, to highlight the importance of kindness, empathy, and community.
The Ghost of Christmas Future, also known as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, is a silent, ominous figure that represents the unknown and the consequences of Scrooge’s actions. It shows Scrooge a bleak and lonely future, including his own death and how he will be remembered, urging him to change his ways before it is too late.
Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge’s former business partner, appears as a ghostly figure wrapped in chains. He is condemned to wander the Earth in torment due to his own greed and selfishness in life. Marley visits Scrooge to warn him of his impending fate and to urge him to change his ways, setting the stage for Scrooge’s journey with the three spirits.
Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s underpaid and overworked clerk, is a kind-hearted, hardworking man who remains optimistic despite his struggles. Deeply devoted to his family, especially his ailing son Tiny Tim, Bob’s warmth and generosity stand in stark contrast to Scrooge’s coldness, ultimately playing a role in inspiring Scrooge’s transformation.
Mrs. Cratchit, Bob Cratchit’s devoted wife, is a loving and resilient woman who works hard to support her family despite their financial hardships. She is protective of her family, especially her son Tiny Tim, and, though frustrated with Scrooge’s treatment of her husband, she remains a strong, caring presence in their modest but joyful household.
Martha Cratchit, the eldest daughter of Bob and Mrs. Cratchit, is a hardworking and caring young woman. She contributes to the family’s income by working outside the home and brings warmth and happiness to the Cratchit household.
Peter Cratchit, the Cratchits’ teenage son, is a responsible and supportive older brother. He contributes to the family’s well-being by helping with household chores and caring for his younger siblings.
Belinda Cratchit, the Cratchits’ young daughter, is a sweet and gentle child who contributes to the family’s loving atmosphere. Belinda’s innocence and cheerfulness highlight the Cratchits’ close-knit family bond and their ability to find joy and warmth in each other’s company.
Tiny Tim, the Cratchits’ youngest son, is a frail but remarkably optimistic child who faces significant health challenges. His cheerful spirit and unwavering faith, despite his illness, symbolize the strength and resilience of the Cratchit family, and his fate profoundly impacts Scrooge, helping to catalyze his transformation.
Fred, Ebenezer Scrooge’s cheerful and optimistic nephew, is a stark contrast to his uncle’s miserly nature. Despite Scrooge’s disdain for Christmas, Fred consistently extends invitations to celebrate the holiday and embodies the joy and warmth of the season.
Sara, Fred’s fiancée, is a kind and understanding woman who embodies the warmth and generosity of the holiday season. She supports Fred’s efforts to extend kindness and festive cheer.
Mr. Fezziwig, a former employer of Ebenezer Scrooge, is a jovial and generous businessman known for his festive spirit and benevolent management style.
Mrs. Fezziwig, the wife of Mr. Fezziwig, is a warm and gracious hostess who supports her husband’s festive and generous nature.
Young Fan, Ebenezer Scrooge’s sister, is depicted as a loving and caring sibling. She is seen in a flashback, warmly inviting Scrooge to join her and their father for Christmas, representing the warmth and familial love that Scrooge once cherished but had lost touch with over time.
Other characters include: Theatre Manager, Mother, Dick, Topper, Mr. Fezziwig’s daughters, The Bobby, ShopKeeper, Blind Beggar, Gentle Persons, Husband and Wife, Belle’s Daughter, Belle’s Husband, Fan’s Husband, Street Boy, Laundress, Old Joe, Ignorance, Want, Wardens, Charwoman, Undertaker’s Man, School Master, Street Boy, Ensemble
