#2 PROLOGUE Companytraditional Victorian Christmas Carols. The last selection is the opening of the prologue and they exit or remain on stage and are joined by others as the prologue

I-1-1

ACT I

Scene 1

A STREET IN LONDON 1843.

#2 PROLOGUE – Company

A group of carolers gather center stage and sing

traditional Victorian Christmas Carols. The last

selection is the opening of the prologue and they

exit or remain on stage and are joined by others

as the prologue continues.

TOWNSPEOPLE

ON CHRISTMAS EVE

ON CHRISTMAS EVE

THE JOLLIEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR

THE AIR IS CHILLED

AND STREETS ARE FILLED

WITH HAPPY VOICES SO CLEAR

SING NOEL

SING NOEL

FACES GLOW

AND CHILDREN KNOW

THAT CHRISTMAS MORNING IS NEAR

SING NOEL, SING NOEL SING NOEL, NOEL

SING NOEL, SING NOEL, SING NOEL, NOEL

BOY

LOVE AND JOY

DICKENS

MERRY CHRISTMAS BOY

TOWNSPEOPLE

BELLS ARE A-RINGING

AND SONGS WE'RE A-SINGING

FOR CHRISTMAS EVE IS HERE!

#3 AFTER PROLOGUE Underscore - Orchestra

As the prologue ends the townspeople freeze and

CHARLES DICKENS steps out of the crowd. He is

strong, yet gentle and deliberate in nature. He

takes a copy of "A Christmas Carol" from a

bookseller and turns to his wife.

I-1-2

DICKENS

Look at this my dear. Of all my works, none has become more familiar than my

holiday tale of Ebenezer Scrooge.

MRS. DICKENS

I know dear.

DICKENS

Time and people have a way of altering the appearance and emphasis of all things.

Such is the case with my Carol.

MRS. DICKENS

(Taking the book) Yes, dear. It seems the proverbial holiday icing of the Christmas

season has grown thicker and in so doing, little has remained of the true meaning

of your appeal.

DICKENS

My appeal! It was indeed that purpose for which I penned the Carol. It was

an appeal to the masses, more exactly to the masses of England, It was my hope

it would be an appeal to all men.

BOOKSELLER

(Recognizing DICKENS)Oh, Mr. Dickens! Read it for us, won't you, sir?

TOWNSPEOPLE

(Ad libs) Yes, Mr. Dickens... read the carol....You do it so well....We would

all like to hear it again...please Mr. Dickens....etc...

DICKENS

I'm not sure....

MRS. DICKENS

Go ahead Charles. Read it to us. You know how much you enjoy it.

DICKENS

I do enjoy telling the tale.

A SMALL CHILD

(stepping forward) Please, Mr. Dickens!

DICKENS

All right.

DICKENS

Thus I begin the Carol. Marley was dead: there is no doubt whatever about that.

The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker,

and the sole mourner, Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge was a tight-fisted hand at the

grindstone -- a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous,

old sinner. He represented those men who no warmth could warm, nor wintry

weather chill. No wind that blew was bitterer than Scrooge. But what did Scrooge

care? What did any of these men, like Scrooge, care? This was the public appearance

of a good man of business; hard, cold, decisive, resolute in nature. Nobody ever

stopped him in the street to say hello, no man or woman ever inquired the way

to such and such a place of Ebenezer Scrooge. And this was the very thing he

liked. To edge his way along the crowded paths of life, warning all human sympathy

to keep its distance. Indeed this distance from his fellow-beings made business

transactions easier; he could remain unsympathetic to anyone and everyone. It

I-1-3

was cold, bleak, biting weather, foggy, and it was of all good days in the year

Christmas Eve. But I remind you this was not a tale of Christmas - but a tale

of man's foolishness and disregard for his fellow man and in that respect his

disregard for himself.

The air grows grey and cold as the Townspeople

and Carolers bundle themselves against the

growing chill.

#4 PROLOGUE II - Company

TOWNSPEOPLE

ON CHRISTMAS EVE

ON CHRISTMAS EVE


EVERY HEART, IT OVERFLOWS

WITH JOY AND LAUGHTER AND CHEER

EXCEPT FOR ONE

EXCEPT FOR ONE

HIS HEART IS COLD

AND SO WE'RE TOLD

HE EVEN SLEEPS WITH A SNEER

MEAN OLD CUR

BOY CAROLER

MERRY CHRISTMAS, SIR....

SCROOGE

Bah – Humbug! (he exits)

TOWNSPEOPLE

BELLS ARE A-RINGING

AND SONGS WE'RE A-SINGING

FOR CHRISTMAS EVE IS HERE

ON CHRISTMAS EVE

WHEN OLD MAN WINTER CAME CALLING

WINDS DID BLOW

AND CHRISTMAS SNOW

LIKE ANGEL'S BREATH WAS A-FALLING

POOR OLD SCROOGE

IS IT TOO LATE

WHO KNOWS HIS FATE

DICKENS

THE STORY NOW, I'M RECALLING

CHORUS

ONE CHRISTMAS EVE

DICKENS

ROUND TWILIGHT, I BELIEVE

THE STORY BEGINS

SO PERMIT ME MY FRIENDS

AND A TALE OF GHOSTS I SHALL WEAVE

I-1-4

ALL

IN COLD DECEMBER

THERE BURNS THE EMBERS

OF EBENEZER SCROOGE

The TOWNSPEOPLE exit as the scene transitions to

Scrooge’s Counting House.

#5 THE OFFICE Underscore – Orchestra

I-2-5

ACT I

Scene 2

Scrooge's office. As DICKENS describes

the counting house, the office is comes

into view.

DICKENS

Scrooge sat busy in his counting-house. (Dickens escorts Scrooge to his desk)

The firm was known as Scrooge and Marley. Scrooge and he were partners for I

don't know how many years. Sometimes people new to the business called Scrooge

Scrooge, (he enters) and sometimes Marley, but he answered to both names; it

was all the same to him. Scrooge kept a close eye upon his clerk who in the dismal

little corner of the counting-house sat copying letters. Bob Cratchit, Cratchit

Enters) like so many, was a poor working man scratching out a meager existence.

For Bob, to work for a miserly employer, such as Scrooge, was just one more

misgiving which, since it could not be cured, must be endured. After all, it

was his only means of support for himself and his family, and employment was

scarce.

FRED

(from offstage) A MERRY CHRISTMAS, SIR!!!!!! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.....

DICKENS

If ever there is a character whom I fashion myself, or as many said, is fashioned

of me, it is Scrooge's nephew Fred. (He brings Fred into the scene) Here is

a man who carries with him the spirit of love and charity.

FRED

A Merry Christmas, uncle! God Save You!!

SCROOGE

Bah! Humbug!

FRED

Christmas a humbug, uncle! You don't mean that I'm sure.

SCROOGE

I do. Merry Christmas! What reason have you to be merry? You’re poor enough.

FRED

Come, then, what right have you to be dismal? What reason have you to be morose?

You're rich enough!

SCROOGE

Bah! Humbug!

FRED

Don't be cross uncle!!

I-2-6

SCROOGE

What else can I be when I live in such a world of fools as this? Out upon Merry

Christmas. What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without

money; a time for finding yourself a year older, and not an hour richer. If I

could work my will, every idiot that goes about with Merry Christmas, on his

lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly

through his heart.

FRED

Uncle!!

SCROOGE

Nephew!! Keep Christmas in your own way, and let me keep it in mine.

FRED

But you don't keep it.

SCROOGE

Let me leave it alone, then. Much good may it do you!! Much good it has ever

done you!!

#6 FRED'S Underscore – Orchestra

FRED

There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not

profited, I dare say, Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always

thought of Christmas time, when it has come round -- as a good time; a kind,

forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time in the long calendar of the

year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely,

and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-travellers to

the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. Though

it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has

done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!!

UNDERSCORE OUT

CRATCHIT

Jolly well for you, sir!!

SCROOGE

Let me hear another sound from you, Cratchit, and you'll keep your Christmas

by losing your situation. (Turning to his nephew) You're a long winded speaker,

nephew. I wonder you don't go into politics.

FRED

Don't be angry, uncle. Come and see us. Dine with us tomorrow.

SCROOGE

I'll see you, indeed, I'll see you in Hades first.

I-2-7

FRED

I want nothing from you; I ask nothing of you; why cannot we be friends?

SCROOGE

Good afternoon.

FRED

I am sorry, with all my heart, to find you so resolute. We have never had any

quarrel, to which I have been a party. But I have made the trial in homage to

Christmas and I'll keep my Christmas humor to the last. So a Merry Christmas,

uncle!!

SCROOGE

Good afternoon!!

FRED

And a Happy New Year!!!!

SCROOGE

GOOD AFTERNOON!!!!!!!

FRED

A Merry Christmas, Bob, and to your family.

BOB

Merry Christmas to you, sir!

DICKENS

(To SCROOGE) There is another fellow, your clerk, with fifteen shillings a week

and a wife and family, finding the time to speak of a Merry Christmas.

SCROOGE

Bah!!! He should retire to the madhouse!!!

1st GENTLEMAN

(Addressing CRACHIT) Scrooge and Marley's, I believe. Have I the pleasure of

addressing Mr. Scrooge or Mr. Marley?

SCROOGE

Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years. He died seven years ago, this very

night. A Merry Christmas, indeed.

1st GENTLEMAN

We have no doubt that his liberality is well represented by his surviving partner.

SCROOGE

HUMPH!!!

2nd GENTLEMAN

At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge, it is more than usually desirable

that we should make some slight provisions for the poor and destitute, who suffer

greatly at the present time.

SCROOGE

Are they not given an education in return for their labor?

I-2-8

1st GENTLEMAN

They are promised skilled training and higher education but receive little.

2nd GENTLEMAN

And their meager wages go directly to their parent's pockets. Little from which

the children benefit.

SCROOGE

But surely they are well provided for with food and clothing.

1st GENTLEMAN

Hardly, these children are brutalized, ill-fed, and ill-clothed. They are forced

to work a fifteen to eighteen hour workday. They are abused and treated no better

than a work animal.

SCROOGE

You exaggerate.

2nd GENTLEMAN

I wish that he did, sir. These children have no love, no understanding that

comforts them. They merely exist from hour to hour, day to evening, evening to

morning.

1st GENTLEMAN

Indeed, thousands are in want of common necessities; hundreds of thousands are

in want of common comforts.

SCROOGE

(Business like) Are there no prisons?

2nd GENTLEMAN

Plenty of prisons.

SCROOGE

And the Union workhouses? Are they still in operation?

1st GENTLEMAN

They are. Although I wish I could say they were not. Many can't go there; and

many would rather die.

SCROOGE

If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus

population.

1st Gentleman

(shocked, but pressing ahead) Under the impression that they scarcely furnish

peace of mind or body to the multitude, a few of us are endeavouring to raise

a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth.

2nd GENTLEMAN

We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly

felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall we put you down for?

SCROOGE

Nothing!

I-2-9

1st GENTLEMAN

You wish to be anonymous?

SCROOGE

I wish to be left alone. Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen,that is my

answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas, and I can't afford to make idle

people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned they cost

enough; and those we are badly off must go there. Good afternoon, gentlemen.

Good afternoon!!! (Both gentlemen depart)

SCROOGE

(muttering as he returns to his work) I know nothing of these people and their

problems! It's not my business. It's enough for a man to understand his own

business. Mine occupies me constantly. I have no want or need to meddle in the

affairs of others. It is that simple. My life remains simple, clear, concise.

I have no time for others.

DICKENS

(observing him) And in that, you show that you have even less time for yourself.

SCROOGE

Bah. Humbug!

DICKENS

All sentiment is humbug -- and any emotion that might hinder business is nonsense!!

SCROOGE returns to his work as Dickens

gestures for a small BOY to begin to sing

at the window.

BOY CAROLER

ON CHRISTMAS EVE

ON CHRISTMAS EVE


THE AIR IS CHILLED......

SCROOGE

Be gone with you, and your Merry Christmas. Bah. Humbug! Merry Christmas,

indeed, what is a merry Christmas. What do any of you know of a Merry Christmas.

(emphatically muttering to himself) We have public programs that have been

designed to assist the poor. I offer a yearly donation through my taxes.

DICKENS

If you do not offer of yourself, the only mark you will leave is a cold, gray

stone in a forgotten graveyard.

SCROOGE

Bah, Humbug!!!!

DICKENS

There was no man, woman, or child who could soften the icy heart of Ebenezer

Scrooge. Too many years had gone by, living out of the reach of human kindness.

Only the cold calculated figures of his business gave him comfort and solace.

#7 JINGLE OF MONEY - Scrooge

I-2-10

SCROOGE

WHEN A SHILLING HITS A SHILLING

IT GOES -- -- CLINK

WHEN A FARTHING HITS A FARTHING

IT GOES -- -- PLINK

WHEN A CROWN HITS A CROWN

AND YOU SHAKE THEM BOTH AROUND

THE SOUND IS MUSIC TO MY EARS

WHEN COPPER TOUCHES COPPER

IT GOES -- -- JINGLE

WHEN SILVER TOUCHES SILVER

IT GOES -- -- DINGLE

WHEN GOLD TOUCHES GOLD

WHEN IT’S MORE THAN YOU CAN HOLD

THEN YOU DROP IT IN A BAG

AND TIE IT WITH A STRING

AND HIDE IT IN A BOX

OR IN A DRAWER OR ANYTHING

THEN YOU TAKE IT OUT AND SHAKE IT

HEAR THE TING-A-LING-A-LING

OF.. MONEY - I LOVE THE JINGLE OF MONEY

IT'S SWEETER THAN THE JINGLE OF A CHRISTMAS BELL

MONEY - I LOVE THE JINGLE OF MONEY

IT'S SWEETER THAN THE MUSIC OF A CARROUSEL

LISTEN, CAN YOU HEAR

THE JING JING JINGLE OF GOLD

LISTEN, CAN YOU HEAR

THE TING TING TINGLE OF WEALTH UNTOLD


IT'S SWEETER THAN THE JINGLE OF A CHRISTMAS BELL


IT'S SWEETER THAN THE MUSIC OF A CARROUSEL

PENNIES WERE MEANT TO BE PINCHED

FISTS WERE MEANT TO BE CLINCHED

AND MONEY, MY MONEY

BE IT BOB OR CROWN

IS BETTER OFF HIDDEN NEATH THE COLD DARK GROUND

BUT EVEN THERE I CAN HEAR THE MERRY MERRY SOUND --

OF THE JINGLE OF MONEY

THE JANGLE AS WELL

THE JINGLE OF MONEY

IS SWEETER THAT THE JINGLE

OF A CHRISTMAS BELL

(Spoken) MONEY!!!!!

#8 CHIMES I - Orchestra (Westminster and seven strikes)

SCROOGE

(to CRATCHIT) You'll want all day tomorrow I suppose?

BOB

If quite convenient, sir?

I-2-11

SCROOGE

It's not convenient and it's not fair. If I were to stop half-a-crown for it,

you'd think yourself ill used, I'll be bound! And yet, you don't think me ill-used

when I pay a day's wages for no work.

BOB

After all it is only once a year, sir.

SCROOGE

A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth of December! But

I suppose you must have the whole day. Be here all the earlier the next morning!!

BOB

Oh, yes, sir! A Merry Christ....... (HE catches himself) Good night, sir!!

SCROOGE

Bah! Humbug!!

SCROOGE closes the door and CRACHIT sighs with

relief that HE'S gone.

#8A NOT TOMORROW

BOB

DID YOU HEAR THAT?

I’M PICKING HIS POCKET

IMAGINE THAT!

I’M ROBBING HIM BLIND!

DID YOU HEAR THAT I’M ALSO A DIM-WIT

I’M A FOOL, AN IMBECILE TOO

HE CALLED ME A DUNCE

AND NOT JUST ONCE

A LAGGARD, A BLACKGUARD

WHO KNEW?

“YOU’RE A POOR EXCUSE FOR A CLERK, MR. CRACHIT”

“OH YES, SIR,” I SAY

FOR A MAN MUST PROVIDE FOR HIS FAMILY

SO CALL ME WHAT YOU WILL ….TODAY…

BUT NOT TOMORROW!

FOR TOMORROW IS CHRISTMAS DAY AND IT’S MINE!

TO SHARE WITH MY WIFE AND CHILDREN

TO SIT BY A LOVELY FIRE

TO SAVOR EVERY MOMENT

HOW DIVINE!

MY WIFE WILL CALL ME “SUGAR PLUM”

TO MY CHILDREN, I’M “FATHER DEAR”

AND FOR 24 BLISSFUL HOURS I WON’T HEAR

“YOU’RE LATE, BOB CRACHIT I SHALL DOCK YOUR WAGE

YOU’RE INEPT, BOB CRACHIT THERE’S A SMUDGE ON THIS PAGE!”

NOT TOMORROW

FOR TOMORROW IS CHRISTMAS DAY, AND IT’S MINE

TO SING ABOUT STARS AND SHEPHERDS

AND HEAR THE MORNING BELLS CHIME

TO FEEL HOW MY CHILDREN LOVE ME

HOW DIVINE!

I-2-11A

IF THE QUEEN SAID, “COME TOMORROW FOR TEA”

I, BOB CRACHIT, WOULD DECLINE

NOT TOMORROW

FOR TOMORROW IS CHRISTMAS DAY

(I’VE WAITED ALL YEAR IT’S ALMOST HERE)

YES TOMORROW IS CHRISTMAS DAY

AND IT’S MINE!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Bob Cratchit Exits

DICKENS

The office was closed in a twinkling, and the clerk, having put on his scarf

and hat ran home to Camden town…

I-3-12

ACT I

Scene 3

THE STREET in front of SCROOGE'S

home and SCROOGE'S BEDROOM.

#9 CLOSING THE OFFICE Underscore - Orchestra

DICKENS

It was not by chance or fated circum-stance that Scrooge lived isolated and alone.

It was his clear, concise, conscious choice. I fashioned Scrooge's lodgings

from a house that stood at 46 Lime Street in the Langborn Ward. It stood far

back and alone up a narrow courtyard. It was the prefect surroundings for a

haunting. Now it is a fact, that there was nothing at all particular about the

knocker on the door, except that it was very large. And, it is a fact, that

Scrooge had not bestowed one thought on Marley, since his last mention of his

dead partner that afternoon. So then let any man explain to me, if he can,

how it happened that Scrooge, having placed his key in the lock of the door,

saw in the knocker, without its undergoing any intermediate process of change

-- not a knocker, but Marley's face.

SCROOGE

(Seeing MARLEY's face in the knocker) Jacob? Jacob?

MARLEY

(from offstage)Scroooooooooooooooooogggggggggeeeeeeeeeeee.........

SCROOGE

Jacob! Jacob Marley????!!!!!!

DICKENS

As Scrooge looked fixedly at this phenomenon, it was a knocker again. He put

his hand upon the key he had relinquished, turned it sturdily, and walked in.

SCROOGE puts his hand upon the key and walks

into the house, returns for a brief moment to say,

"Bah, pooh, pooh!"

DICKENS

He walked into the darkness of this old hollowed home. Scrooge liked the darkness,

for darkness was cheap. He checked about to see that everything was as it should

be. Nobody under the bed...Nobody under the chair...Nobody in the fireplace.

Indeed, he assured himself, everything was as usual. He sat down before the

fire in his bed chambers to take his gruel.

MARLEY

(from offstage)Scccccccccccccooooooooooggggggggeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!

I-3-13

SCROOGE

Humbug!!! It's humbug still. I won't believe it.

A small bell begins to ring after a pause the bell

grows louder until every chime in the house begins

to sound. The image of Marley’s face swirls in

the air and around the set. The bells stop,

leaving silence and then the sound of clanking

noise is heard as MARLEY's GHOST appears, as if

out of a grave. The chain he draws is clasped

about his middle. It is long and wound about him

like a tail, it is made of cash boxes, keys,

padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and heavy purses

wrought in steel.

SCROOGE

How now! What do you want with me.

MARLEY

Much!

SCROOGE

Who are you!!!

MARLEY

Ask me who I was.

SCROOGE

Who were you then?

MARLEY

In life I was your partner, Jacob Marley.

SCROOGE

Bah!

MARLEY

You don't believe in me?? What evidence would you have of my reality, beyond

that of your senses?

SCROOGE

I don't know.

MARLEY

Why do you doubt your senses?

SCROOGE

Because a little thing affects them. A slight disorder of the stomach makes

them cheat. You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb

of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato. There's more of gravy than of

grave about, you, whatever you are! (Marley wails) Mercy! Dreadful apparition,

why do you trouble me?

I-3-14

MARLEY

It is required of every man, that the spirit within him should walk among his

fellow-men and travel far and wide; and if that spirit goes not forth in life,

it is condemned to do so after death.

SCROOGE

You are chained and shackled. Tell me why?

MARLEY

I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link, yard by yard.

DICKENS

Is its pattern strange to you? Or would you know the weight and length of the

strong coil you bear yourself?

MARLEY

It was as heavy and as long as this, seven years ago.

DICKENS

You have labored on it, since.

MARLEY

It is a ponderous chain!!

SCROOGE

Jacob, old Jacob Marley, tell me more. Speak of comfort to me, Jacob.

MARLEY

I have none to give. Nor can I continue, a very little time is all that is permitted

to me. I cannot rest, I cannot stay, I cannot linger anywhere. My spirit never

walked beyond our counting house. Mark me! In life my spirit never roved beyond

the narrow limits of our money-changing hole; and weary journeys lie before me!!

SCROOGE

But you were always a good man of business, Jacob!

MARLEY

Business!! Mankind was my business. Hear me, my time is nearly gone. I am

here tonight to warn you, that you have a chance and hope of escaping my fate,

Ebenezer.

SCROOGE

You were always a good friend to me. Thank'ee.

MARLEY

You will be haunted by Three Spirits.

SCROOGE

I think I'd rather not.

MARLEY

Without their visits you cannot hope to shun the path I tread. Expect the first

tomorrow night, when the bell tolls one.

SCROOGE

Couldn't I have them all at once and be done with it.

I-3-15

MARLEY

Expect the second on the next night at the same hour. The third upon the next

night when the last stroke of twelve has ceased to vibrate. Look to see me no

more; and look that, for your own sake, you remember what has passed between

us!!

DICKENS has been watching the scene and as

he continues, SCROOGE prepares for bed

checking the house and the doors etc.

DICKENS

Scrooge went straight to bed, without undressing, and fell asleep upon the instant.

The first Ghost, of which Marley spoke, would come from a world Scrooge had long

forgotten. In reflecting upon the past, injustices once done can scar the spirit!

But generosities remembered, if allowed, can heal the soul.

#10 CHIMES II - Orchestra (One strike)

SCROOGE

(awakening) One - now what was it that Marley said, Nothing - yes, just a dream!

#11 PAST'S APPEARANCE Underscore - Bell Tree

The Spirit of Christmas Past appears and there

is a glow of light around the head of the spirit,

illuminating the room.

SCROOGE

(Not sure of what he sees) Are you the Spirit whose coming was foretold to me?

PAST

I am.

SCROOGE

You don't look like a Ghost. Who and what are you?

PAST

I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.

SCROOGE

Long past?

PAST

No. Your past. That which I will show you are shadows of the things that once

were. I recall them as if they might have happened --- only yesterday. So shall

you, Ebenezer Scrooge!!!

I-3-16

#12 REMEMBER - Ghost of Christmas Past

PAST

I KNEW A CHILD

WITH A SHINING FACE

WITH A WARM EMBRACE

IT WAS LONG AGO

LONG AGO, REMEMBER

I KNEW A BOY

WHO HAD A MANNER MILD

WHO HAD EYES THAT SMILED

IT WAS LONG AGO, LONG AGO, REMEMBER?

BUT THESE MEMORIES OF THE PAST

HAVE FALLEN AWAY

AND NOW THE DARKNESS THAT CONSUMES YOU

LEADS YOU ASTRAY

WON'T YOU TAKE THE KEY

AND FOLLOW ME

SOON YOU WILL SEE

SEE YOURSELF

AS YOU USED TO BE

WHEN YOU WERE KINDER

WHEN YOU WERE WARMER

WHEN YOU WERE WISER

IT WAS LONG AGO, LONG AGO, REMEMBER?

DO YOU REMEMBER, DO YOU REMEMBER, LONG AGO?

SCROOGE

Spirit, what purpose brings you to me.

PAST

Your welfare!!

SCROOGE

I am very much obliged, but Spirit would not a night of rest be more conducive

to that end.

PAST

(Placing HER hand upon his heart) Bear but a touch of this hand upon your heart,

and your soul will be uplifted. Now, rise and walk with me.

SCROOGE

Where are we going?

PAST & DICKENS

We are going to look at your childhood.

The lights fade as the scene transitions

#13 CHRISTMAS PAST Underscore - Orchestra

I-4-17

ACT I

Scene 4

The scene opens with SCROOGE, PAST and

DICKENS standing on stage in low light

surrounded by mist and fog. It is to a

cold, wintry day, with snow upon the ground.

SCROOGE is amazed to see a place that is

filled with memories of a good time. People

pass by the TRIO, singing the PROLOGUE.

SCROOGE

(Seeing the familiar surroundings) Good Heaven! I was bred in this place. I

was a boy here! Oh, there's Nasty Dick and that Strange Girl. Oh,and there's

Mr. Cheevers, I've never seen him sober. Oh, and Molly the pastry cook, the

loveliest buns in town. Merry Christmas, hallo...Merry Christmas..... Spirit,

why do they not answer me?

PAST

They are but shadows of the things that have been. They have no consciousness

of us.

DICKENS

But what is Merry Christmas to you. Out upon Merry Christmas! What good has

it ever done you?

SCROOGE

(remembering his own words) Yes....I suppose....Lead me where you will Spirit.

PAST

You recall the way?

SCROOGE

Remember it? I could walk it blindfold.

DICKENS

Strange to have forgotten it for so many years.

PAST

Let us go on! There is a boarding school near by. The school is not quite deserted.

A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still.

SCROOGE

He has no mother and his father bares him a grudge.

PAST

Why does his father bare him a grudge?

DICKENS

Because...she died at childbirth... his birth.

I-4-18

PAST

Come.....

They exit as DICKENS speaks to the audience

DICKENS

He knew of this boy, as well as I. As a schoolboy at the Wellington House Academy

I myself came to realize how dear the thoughts of going home for the holidays

were and how heart breaking it was to be the child left behind.

Dickens brings the GHOST and SCROOGE into

the scene which is a bare room except for

a small school desk where SCROOGE AS A YOUNG

CHILD sits reading.

DICKENS

Your lip is trembling.

PAST

And what is that upon your cheek?

SCROOGE

(Embarrassed about the emotion) It is nothing...just a pimple...Poor boy! (pauses

and wipes his eyes on his robe) I wish, but it's too late now.

DICKENS

What is the matter?

SCROOGE

Nothing....nothing!!

PAST

Nothing??!!

SCROOGE

There was a boy singing a carol at my door last night. I should like to have

given him something; that's all.

PAST

Let us see another Christmas.


DICKENS

On one occasion I held a fond memory of Wellington House. My sister, Fanny,

arrived one day, and bursting through the door of the school room announced....

UNDERSCORE OUT

A slightly older boy appears and a little

GIRL, younger than the BOY, comes darting

in, and puts HER arms about him

I-4-19

FAN

Dear, dear brother, I have come to bring you home, dear brother! To bring you

home, home, home, Ebenezer!!!

YOUNG SCROOGE

Home, Fan??

FAN

Yes! Home, for good and all. Home, forever and ever. Father is so much kinder

than he used to be, that home's like Heaven. He spoke so gently to me one dear

night that I was not afraid to ask him once more if you might come home; and

he said "Yes" you should; and sent me in a coach to bring you. And you're to

be a man...and to never come back here; but first, we're to be together all

Christmas long, and have the merriest time in all the world.

#14 FAN'S SONG - Fan & Young Scrooge

FAN

THERE'S BEEN NO CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU

THERE'S BEEN NO LAUGHTER ONLY TEARS

THERE'S BEEN NO JOY ONLY SORROW

IN A HOME ONCE FILLED WITH CHEER

BUT NOW YOU'LL BE THERE

AND YOU'LL SEE THERE

OPEN ARMS THAT WAIT FOR YOU

FOR I'D HAVE NO CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU

I'D HAVE NO MORE JOY

WITHOUT YOU

DANCE SECTION

PAST

Always a delicate creature, whom a breath might have withered. But she had a

large heart!

SCROOGE

So she had, you're right! I'll not gainsay it. God forbid!

PAST

She died a woman and had, as I think, children.

SCROOGE

One child.

DICKENS

True, your nephew.

SCROOGE

(With uneasiness) Yes.

DICKENS

Who wants nothing from you...

I-4-20

PAST

... asks nothing of you...

DICKENS

...yet you cannot be friends.

SCROOGE

No, I.......how could you understand? What reason, what need, would he have

for the companionship of a bitter old man.

PAST

(Indicating YOUNG SCROOGE and FAN) Perhaps the same need that a young man once

had for his sister.

YOUNG SCROOGE AND FAN

BUT NOW YOU'LL (I'LL) BE THERE

AND YOU'LL (I'LL) SEE THERE

OPEN ARMS THAT WAIT FOR YOU

FOR I'D HAVE NO CHRISTMAS

WITHOUT YOU

I'D HAVE NO MORE JOY (NO MORE JOY)

WITHOUT YOU

PAST

(Placing HER hand upon SCROOGE)Come our time here has ended!


#15 FEZZIWIG'S WAREHOUSE Underscore - Orchestra

I-5-21

ACT I

Scene 5

FEZZIWIG's WAREHOUSE

DICKENS

During earlier holiday seasons the sound of the holiday spirit would fill the

warehouses of England. Here is where a man's generosity and good-fellowship

are his fortune, not his gold and silver. The Ghost stopped at such a warehouse

door and asked Scrooge:

Dickens brings Scrooge and Past into the

scene

PAST

Do you know this place?

SCROOGE

Know it? I was apprenticed here?

DICKENS

Yes, here is a Christmas you truly enjoyed!

HE sees FEZZIWIG who is sitting on top of

a large desk. FEZZIWIG is a jolly, heavy

set man in his fifties. HE is wearing a

powdered wig. SCROOGE recognizes FEZZIWIG

and is joyous....

SCROOGE

Why it's Fezziwig! Bless his heart! It's Fezziwig alive again.

FEZZIWIG

(Having examined HIS watch HE closes his books) Yo, ho, there! Ebenezer! Dick!

EBENEZER as a YOUNG MAN and DICK WILKINS

enter

SCROOGE

Dick Wilkins, my old fellow "Prentice", to be sure! Bless me, yes, there he

is!!

FEZZIWIG

Yo, ho, my boys! No more work tonight. Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve, Ebenezer!!

Let's have the shutters up before a man can say, Jack Robinson!! Let's have

everything cleared away before Mrs. Fezziwig and the guests arrive. Clear away.

Hilli-ho! my lads, and let's have lots of room here!

I-5-22

the FIDDLER enters, tuning like fifty

stomach-aches, followed by MRS. FEZZIWIG, who is

every bit as big as MR. FEZZIWIG. Guests enter,

some shyly, some boldly, some gracefully some

awkwardly, some pushing, some pulling! Then old

FEZZIWIG stands out to dance with MRS. FEZZIWIG.

#16 DANCE WITH YOUR DUMPLING - Mr. & Mrs. Fezziwig & Company

FEZZIWIG

MAKE ROOM FOR MY MISSUS

A DANCE FOR EVERYONE

COME, MY CHRISTMAS PUDDING

WE'LL SHOW 'EM HOW IT'S DONE!

MRS. FEZZIWIG

DANCE WITH YOUR DUMPLING

CAUSE CHRISTMAS EVE IS HERE

FEZZIWIG

JIG! JIG! MRS. FEZZIWIG

YOU'RE A FEATHER-ON-YOUR-FEET, MY DEAR

MRS. FEZZIWIG

WHILE THE YULE LOG IS BURNING

FEZZIWIG

AND LAUGHTER FILLS YOUR HEART

BOTH

COME DANCE WITH YOUR DUMPLING

DANCE WITH YOUR TART

EVERYONE



FEZZIWIG

BOW TO YOUR PARTNER

LET'S BEGIN

DOWN THE MIDDLE AND UP AGAIN

MRS. FEZZIWIG

THREAD THE NEEDLE

CURTSEY, BOW

BOTH

LET THE FEZZIWIGS SHOW YOU HOW!

MRS. FEZZIWIG

CLAP YOUR HANDS

BOW ONCE MORE

I-5-23

FEZZIWIG

WHIRL YOUR SUGAR PLUM ROUND THE FLOOR

BOTH

TRA LA LA

LISTEN TO THE FIDDLE

HERE COME THE FEZZIWIGS UP THE MIDDLE!!

ALL



WHIRL, WHIRL, YOUR FAVORITE GIRL

FEZZIWIG

I'LL SWEEP YOU OFF YOUR FEET, MY DEAR

MRS. FEZZIWIG

LET'S SHOW YOUNG EBENEZER

JUST HOW YOU WON MY HEART

MR. FEZZIWIG takes a piece of mistletoe out and

holds it above MRS. FEZZIWIG’S head. SHE laughs

hysterically and then HE kisses HER on the cheek.

SHE laughs and giggles continuously.

BOTH

COME DANCE WITH YOUR DUMPLING

DANCE WITH YOUR TART! HEY!

ALL



JIG, JIG, MRS. FEZZIWIG

YOU'RE A FEATHER-ON-YOUR-FEET, MY DEAR

WHILE THE YULE LOG IS BURNING

AND LAUGHTER FILLS YOUR HEART

COME, DANCE WITH YOUR DUMPLING


HEY!!!!

After the applause the dancing continues

in slow motion under the following dialogue

until all have exited.

#17 AFTER DUMPLING Underscore - Orchestra

PAST

A small matter to make these silly folks so full of gratitude.

SCROOGE

Small????!!!!

DICKENS

Why! Is it not? He has spent but a few pounds; three or four perhaps.

I-5-24

PAST

Is that so much that he deserves this praise?

SCROOGE

It isn't that, it isn't that! He has the power to render us happy or unhappy;

to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil.

PAST

What then, the happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune!!

SCROOGE

Yes, quite so!!

DICKENS

Employees now in many businesses are not even given the time off to celebrate

Christmas Day.

SCROOGE

Exactly! This is my.....

All the guests have exited as Scrooge, feeling

the stare from both DICKENS and the GHOST, SCROOGE

becomes quiet.

DICKENS

Your point.... So, what is the matter?

SCROOGE

Nothing, nothing… I would like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just

now! That's all.

PAST

My time grows short, let us go on!

The scene fades away as once again Dickens remains

on stage as the Ghost and Scrooge exit.

#18 BELLE Underscore - Orchestra

I-6-25

ACT I

Scene 6

A STREET IN LONDON

DICKENS

My first marriage engagement was broken because her father found me to be at

an unsuitable station in my career. My first love was Maria Beadnell, Scrooge

would know her merely as Belle.

Dickens brings SCROOGE and the GHOST have entered

into the scene as Young Man Scrooge and Belle enter

from the opposite side of the stage.

YOUNG SCROOGE

Have I ever sought release from our engagement.

BELLE

In words, no. Never.

YOUNG SCROOGE

In what, then.

BELLE

In a changed nature; in an altered spirit; in everything that made my love of

any worth or value in your sight. Another idol has displaced me. A golden one.

How often and how keenly I have thought of this, I will not say. It is enough

that I have though of it, and can release you.

YOUNG SCROOGE

This is the even-handed dealing of the world. There is nothing as hard as poverty,

and nothing condemned more than the pursuit of wealth!!

PAST

You feared the world too much.

DICKENS

She did not condemn you, you condemned yourself.

BELLE

Your nobler aspirations have fallen off one by one, until the master-passion,

Gain, engrosses you.

SCROOGE

(addressing the image of Belle) I had not changed towards you. (To Past) Had

I?

BELLE

Our marriage contract is an old one. It was made when we were poor and content

to be so. When it was made, you were another man.

I-6-26

YOUNG SCROOGE

I was a boy.

BELLE

Your own feelings tell you that you were not then, what you are now.

PAST

How well she knew you.

DICKENS

Can even you believe, today, tomorrow, yesterday that you would have chosen a

dowerless girl.

SCROOGE

Your quite, right, she knew how my regret would have surely followed.

PAST

She knew it, and she released you. With a full heart, for the love of him you

once were.

BELLE

It matters little to you, very little. If this had never been between us, tell

me, would you seek me out and try to win me now? (There is no reaction) Ah, no......

YOUNG SCROOGE

(Hurt and defensive, he begins to exit) Then have your release, and be done with

it!

BELLE

(She stops him momentarily) May you be happy in the life you have chosen, Ebenezer.

SCROOGE

(Crossing to YOUNG SCROOGE) Go to her. Go to her. Tell her that you love her.

You fool. You've lost her. You've lost her. (Young Man Scrooge exits as SCROOGE

turns back to BELLE and sings)

#19 ONLY A FOOL - Scrooge and Belle

A FOOL, ONLY A FOOL WOULD LET YOU WALK AWAY

A FOOL CONTENT WITH DREAMS OF YESTERDAY

A FOOL, ONLY A FOOL LIKE ME WOULD BE SO BLIND

TO TURN AWAY AND LEAVE BEHIND

A LOVE, LIKE YOU

SCROOGE & BELLE

WHY, OH WHY

DID I FIND JOY, THEN LET IT DIE

AND SETTLE FOR WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

MEMORIES OF WHEN

BELLE

I LOVED YOU

I-6-27

SCROOGE

I LOVED YOU

A FOOL, ONLY A FOOL WOULD BREAK YOUR HEART IN TWO

AND WATCH WHILE HAPPINESS SLIPPED THRU HIS HANDS

BOTH

WHAT'S DONE IS DONE

I'VE LOST YOU

SCROOGE

THERE'S NOTHING MORE TO SAY

BUT ONLY A FOOL WOULD HAVE LET YOU WALK AWAY

SHE exits into the mist of the past, as

SCROOGE finishes the song and turns to face

the GHOST. MUSIC continues under the

following scene until it becomes dissonant

and harsh.

#20 REMOVE ME Underscore - Orchestra

SCROOGE

Spirit! Remove me from this place.

PAST

I told you these were shadows of the things that have been.

SCROOGE

Remove me! I cannot bear it.

Images and Echoes of familiar voices and

faces from the previous scenes float

through the air.

FAN

Home,

Ebenezer,

home.

BELLE

Another

idol has

displaced

me.

YG SCROOGE

Then have

your

release.

FEZZIWIG

Christmas

Eve, Dick.

Christmas

Eve,

Ebenezer.

PAST

These are

shadows of

the things

that have

been.

DICKENS

They are

what they

are.

SCROOGE

Leave me! Take me back. Haunt me no longer!!

The lights flash and then black out.... we move

to...

I-7-28

ACT I

Scene 7

SCROOGE's BEDROOM. The lights dim and then

restore to have SCROOGE struggling with his bed

coverings. DICKENS is beside him.

#21 REMEMBER: Reprise - Christmas Past and Dickens

SCROOGE

Haunt me no longer! Haunt me no....long...... (Seeing that they are only his

bed coverings) Have I lost my senses?

PAST (OFF-STAGE MIC)

You have not lost them, you have had them brought back to you by shadows of things

you had ceased to remember.

SCROOGE

What good is this punishment? It causes me pain and sorrow.

DICKENS

But that sorrow is of your own construction, what of the joy you could feel.

SCROOGE

(More determined than ever) I am now, what I will always be.


No, you are now what you have determined to be.

DICKENS

You are free to choose another course.

SCROOGE

I can't. I can't. (Pause.) I don't know how.


Ebenezer, see yourself not as you are, but as you once were...

PAST & DICKENS

WHEN YOU WERE KINDER

WHEN YOU WERE WARMER

WHEN YOU WERE WISER

SCROOGE

IT WAS LONG AGO, LONG AGO

I-7-29

PAST AND DICKENS

REMEMBER

LONG AGO, LONG AGO, REMEMBER?

YOU SHOULD REMEMBER

YOU SHOULD REMEMBER

LONG AGO

END OF ACT I

Documents

#2 PROLOGUE Companytraditional Victorian Christmas Carols. The last selection is the opening of the prologue and they exit or remain on stage and are joined by others as the prologue