In this production, the choir narrates the show through classic English carols. They take on various ensemble roles throughout the show, popping in and out of scenes as named characters. I felt it important to include English carols that would have been sung during Dickens’ time, to keep the setting as authentic as possible.

This script offers doubling, allowing for a flexible cast of 26 at minimum, or 32-46 at the ideal number.

The following roles can double as CHOIR MEMBERS:

EBENEZER, BESS, EMILY, MARTHA, PETER, BELINDA, MRS. DILBER, FEZZIWIG, MRS. FEZZIWIG, BELLE, LILY, JOE, CAROLINE, CHARITIES, MERCHANTS, MAN 1, MAN 2, WOMAN, BOY, GIRL, CHOIR MEMBER

The cast is comprised of the following:

9(16) Male Adults

9(10) Female Adults

3(6) Male Children

3(6) Female Children

8 Any Gender Adults

The parts of MAN 1, MAN 2, WOMAN, BOY, and GIRL can be divided if casting allows.

Possible role doublings include:

FRED/EBENEZER

FEZZIWIG/JOE

MRS. DILBER/MRS. FEZZIWIG

BELLE/BESS

LILY/CAROLINE

CHOIR MEMBER/CHARITY

CHARACTER SYNOPSES

SCROOGE & FAMILY

SCROOGE (50s-60s, male presenting) – a miserly old money-lender with a hatred for Christmas and charity. Later redeems himself and has a newfound appreciation for Christmas and charity towards his fellow man.

EBENEZER (20s-30s, male presenting) – A young Scrooge who is apprenticed to Fezziwig and in love with Belle, but later takes up a love of money.

FRED (20s-30s, male presenting) – Scrooge’s nephew and only surviving family member, full of youthful optimism.

BESS (20s-30s, female presenting) – FRED’s wife, and SCROOGE’s niece-by-marriage. She has a sense of humor and is very witty, though she is not very fond of her husband’s Uncle.

CRATCHIT FAMILY

BOB CRATCHIT (30s-50s, male presenting) – Scrooge’s assistant who is struggling to provide for his family but respects Scrooge’s place over him.

EMILY CRATCHIT (30s-50s, female presenting) – BOB’s wife, a hardworking mother and homemaker.

MARTHA CRATCHIT (teenager, female presenting) – The eldest daughter of Bob and Emily. She works as an apprentice at a milliner’s shop.

PETER CRATCHIT (teenager, male presenting) – The eldest son of Bob and Emily. He helps out as the man of the house when Bob is away.

BELINDA CRATCHIT (pre-teen or teenager, female presenting) – The third child of Bob and Emily. She helps her mother around the house.

TINY TIM CRATCHIT (pre-teen, male presenting) – The fourth child of Bob and Emily who has a lame leg and uses a crutch. He is always cheerful & brings his family great joy.

SPIRITS

JACOB MARLEY (50s-60s, male presenting) – Scrooge’s former business partner, now a spirit cursed to haunt Scrooge and carry chains of his own making. He was just as miserly as Scrooge, if not more so.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST (adult, female presenting) – The Spirit who shows Scrooge past Christmases and events that have happened leading up to the present. She is stern, but tender.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT (adult, any gender) – The Spirit who shows Scrooge the current Christmas; they are jolly and full of cheer, somewhat resembling Saint Nicholas or Father Christmas.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS YET TO COME (adult, any gender) – The Spirit who shows Scrooge the Christmases to be, if nothing changes. A dark, shadowy figure who does not speak but uses motions and gestures to guide Scrooge.

COMPANY

MRS. DILBER (30s-50s, female presenting) – Scrooge’s housekeeper, and also a widow; she is underpaid and later sells Scrooge’s belongings for extra money.

FEZZIWIG (40s-60s, male presenting) – Ebenezer’s past employer, who is always jovial and caring for his employees. He throws the grandest of feasts every year, despite spending little money on such festivities.

MRS. FEZZIWIG (40s-60s, female presenting) – Fezziwig’s wife, always dressed extravagantly.

BELLE (20s-30s, female presenting) – Ebenezer’s beloved, later married to another man with a family of her own.

LILY (20s-30s, female presenting) – A friend of BESS, has a laugh that resembles a pig’s snort and is very humorous. Affectionate towards TOPPER.

JOE (30s-60s, male-presenting) – A shady pawnbroker.

CAROLINE (20s-40s, female-presenting) – A young newlywed wife who is indebted to Scrooge.

TWO CHARITIES (adult, any gender) – Citizens who are seeking donations for the betterment of the poor people of London.

THREE MERCHANTS (adult, any gender) – Gossiping citizens of London who sell merchandise on the streets.

MAN 1 (20s-40s, male presenting) – Portrays several characters, including Belle’s Husband, the Poor Man, a Business Man, Theodore, and the Poulterer

MAN 2 (20s-40s, male presenting) – Portrays several characters, including Dick, a Business Man, the Baker, and Topper.

WOMAN (20s-40s, female presenting) – Portrays several characters, including Fan and the Charwoman.

BOY (8-12, male presenting) – A young boy who portrays several roles throughout the show, including a poor beggar, a young Ebenezer Scrooge, Arthur Cratchit, and the boy Ignorance.

GIRL (6-12, female presenting) – A young girl who portrays several roles throughout the show, including Scrooge’s sister Fan, Belle’s daughter, Florence Cratchit, and the girl Want.

CHOIR MEMBER (adult, any gender) – Serves as a kind of narrator. These lines can be distributed to multiple members of the CHOIR or kept as a single role. May be dressed to resemble a certain English author.