student study guide

contents

The Play

Meet the Playwright

Characters at a Glance

Christmas: 1941

Spotlight: The Three Ghosts

Charles Dickens

The Bonus March

World Leaders in War

the play

This version of the Charles Dickens

classic takes place in Washington,

D.C. after the attack on Pearl Harbor

in 1941. Elijah Strube is a greedy

business owner, taking advantage of

his employees and using the war to

increase his profits. One night, he is

visited by his deceased business

partner, Jack Marley, who warns him

against greed and dishonesty. To save

his partner from the pain and torment

he suffers in the afterlife, Marley

sends the statues Victory, Freedom

and Grief to show Elijah scenes from

Christmases in his past, present and

future. Can they show him the error of

his ways?

Attack on Pearl Harbor— On December 7, 1941, theJapanese army launched asurprise attack on the U.S. Navalbase at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.More than 2,300 people werekilled, and the United Statesentered World War II soon after.

Now Playing in the FichandlerNovember 16 – December 30, 2007Adapted from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carolby James Magruderoriginal songs: music by Henry Krieger, lyrics bySusan Birkenheaddirected by Molly Smith

“The new year 1942 will call forthe courage and the resolutionof old and young to help to wina world struggle in order thatwe may preserve all we holddear.” –President FranklinDelano Roosevelt

CHRISTMASCAROL 1941

In eighth grade, JamesMagruder went to a

nearby high school to seethe spring musical, ByeBye, Birdie. Magruder said,“As I watched the kidssinging ‘The TelephoneSong,’ my hair went up onend and I said to myself, Iwant to be a part of that.”

Magruder has successfullycreated a career intheater. He has his PhDfrom the Yale School ofDrama. He has been adramaturg – like an editorand researcher forplaywrights and directors– at Center Stage inBaltimore. He has alsotranslated and adaptedseveral plays for the stage.

In this adaptation,Magruder weavesimagination and thepersonal history of hisfamily with the classic AChristmas Carol story andthe history of Washington,D.C. in 1941. He said, “AChristmas Carol is a storyof sacrifice andredemption – 1941 inWashington, D.C. was atime of sacrifice andredemption in this nation.”

MEET THEPLAYWRIGHT

JamesMagruder

The Schroen family isbased on playwright

James Magruder’s maternalgrandparents – Henry andMargarette Schroen – andtheir two children –Magruder’s mother anduncle. The Schroen familylived in Anacostia, aneighborhood in Washington,D.C., during World War II.

The real-life Henry Schroensupported his family throughthe Great Depressionbecause he could type 120words a minute, faster thanthe electric typewriters.Margarette Schroen wasknown for making a deliciouspineapple upside-down cake.

Magruder said, “It was ajoyful experience to writesomething so close to myheart – it’s my family. Theplay is honoring theirmemory, capturing part oftheir personal history onstage. They were some ofthe millions of anonymousAmericans who pitched induring World War II.”

THE PLAYWRIGHT’S

INSPIRATION

Elijah Strube, the Scrooge-like character, is a selfish D.C.businessman, who cares more for profits than

his fellow man or country.

Henry Schroen, the Bob Cratchitt character, is Elijah’s poor clerk, whosupports his family with his extraordinarily fast typing.

Margarette Schroen is Henry’s wife, who represents the can-do attitude ofwomen during World War II.

Butch Schroenis Henry’s son who wants to join the army, but is tooyoung.

Carolyn Schroenis Henry’s elementary school ageddaughter, who adores her older brotherand does her part for the war effort bycollecting money for Polish orphans.

Albert Schroenis Henry’s brother who fought in World War I andmarched for his bonus (see Bonus March). He hasn’tspoken since returning from the war.

Activity: Traditionally in A Christmas Carol, BobCratchitt has a son named Tiny Tim, who is illbut still symbolizes the true spirit of Christmas.

Which character is Tiny Tim in this adaptation?Why? What does he or she symbolize?

CHARACTERS AT A GLANCE

December 1941 was atime of great uncertainty

and patriotism in the UnitedStates. For two years, theAllies (including France andGreat Britain) had beenfighting the Axis powers(including Germany, Italy andJapan). The world was at war.Although the United Stateshad supplied money andweapons to Britain, it had notfully committed to the war.

On December 7, 1941, theJapanese army attacked theU.S. naval base at PearlHarbor in Hawaii, killing over2,300 people. The next day,over 60,000 people listened

to their radios as PresidentFranklin Delano Rooseveltdeclared war on Japan. Threedays later Germany declaredwar on the United States.

Immediately, the United Statesmobilized for war. Peopleflooded Washington, D.C. tocontribute to the war effort.Young men enlisted in thearmed forces. People rushed togrocery stores and stocked upon supplies they thought wouldbecome scarce during wartime.

When Christmas came in1941, families like theSchroens had much to worryabout. Men like Henry, Butch,

Albert and Donald could besent to war without warning.Women like Margarette andHazel had to find ways tosupport themselves and theirfamilies while the men wereaway. Just three weeks afterthe United States entered thewar, their lives had changed.

Activity: Yourgrandparents orolder neighbors

probably havememories of living on thehome front during World WarII. Interview someone whowas alive at this time abouttheir experiences, and shareyour findings with your class.

CHRISTMAS: 1941

SPOTLIGHT: THE THREE GHOSTS

Since it was written in 1843, Charles Dickens’novella, A Christmas Carol, has been

rewritten countless times for television, film,opera, theater and radio. With minor variations,the characters and their story remain the same.What changes, more often than not, are thecreative forms writers choose for the Christmasspirits that visit Scrooge.

In Christmas Carol 1941, James Magruder chosevarious monuments from around D.C. for his spirits.

Charles Dickens

Generally considered thegreatest Victorian

novelist, Charles Dickenslived from 1812-1870. Hewrote many novels includingGreat Expectations, OliverTwist, A Tale of Two Citiesand David Copperfield. Mostof his novels were written asserials – stories thatappeared one or twochapters at a time in literarymagazines, much liketelevision shows todayappear in episodes.

A Christmas Carol was thefirst and most celebrated ofDickens’ Christmas writings.He loved the holiday, andwrote many stories andnovels about it including TheChimes and The Cricket onthe Hearth.

Victorian—from or typicalof the time period whenQueen Victoria I wasQueen of England (1837-1901).

Activity: Imagine you are writing your ownversion of A Christmas Carol. What kind ofghosts would you have?

Activity: Imagineyou are a writer inVictorian England.

What would youwrite your serial about?

Who would the charactersbe? How would you buildsuspense to keep readers?

WINGED VICTORYThe Ghost of Christmas Past isportrayed by Winged Victory, thestatue atop the First DivisionMonument, located near the White

House. The monument was constructedto honor those members of the Army’s First

Division who died during World War I.

FREEDOMFreedom, the statue atop the Capitolbuilding, is the Ghost of Christmas Present.She holds a sword and laurel wreath,

symbolizing the power of freedom in theUnited States in times of war andpeace. Symbols of the United States(like the stars and stripes and itsmotto “E. Pluribus Unum”) decorate

her clothing. She also wears an eagle’shead, feathers and talons to represent

Native Americans.E. Pluribus Unum—Latin for “from many,one.” This refers to the union of manystates in one country and the diversity ofU.S. citizens.

GRIEFThe statue at a memorial for a man’swife in Rock Creek Cemetery is TheGhost of Christmas Yet to Come.Commonly called “Grief,” the statue is

a seated figure, neither male norfemale, meant to show acceptance that

death comes for every person.

1101 Sixth Street, SWWashington, DC 20024Phone: (202) 554-9066Fax: (202) 488-4056

Community EngagementPhone: (202) 234-5782Fax: (202) 797-1043

Written by Emily DenisonEdited by Rebecca Campana Illustration by Raul Colón

Visit www.arenastage.org formore information on ArenaStage productions andeducational opportunities.

Arrive at least 30 minutes early.

Visit the restroom before the showstarts.

Before the show begins, turn offyour cell phone, watch alarms,pagers, and other electronicdevices. If anything rings byaccident, shut it off immediately.

Save food and drinks for the lobby.There is no eating or drinkinginside the theater.

Walk to and from your seat - norunning in the theater!

Do not talk, whisper, sing, or hum.

Keep your feet on the floor, not onthe seat in front of you.

Avoid getting up during a showbecause it distracts your neighborsand the performers. If you mustleave, wait for a scene change,then exit quietly and quickly.

Performers appreciate enthusiasticapplause rather than whistling orshouting.

Cameras and videotape areprohibited because they aredistracting to the performers.

Enjoy the show!

Helpful Hints for Theater Audiences

As an audience member at the theater, YOUare part of the show! Just as you see and hearthe actors onstage, they can see and hear youin the audience. To help the performers dotheir best, please remember the following:

Additional Resources Books/Plays:A Christmas Carol by Charles DickensThe Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens

On the Web:Northwestern University Library: WWII Posters Collection: www.library.northwestern.edu/govinfo/collections/wwii-posters/On the Homefront: America During World War I and World War II:http://memory.loc.gov/learn/features/homefront/index.htmlThe War: www.pbs.org/thewar

THE BONUS MARCH After World War I, Congress voted to give all who had served in the armed forces a bonusof $1 - $1.25 for each day of service. Veterans would receive their bonuses by 1945.

In 1932, about 20,000 veterans of World War I gathered in Washington, D.C. to demandthat Congress pay them, as promised, for their service. Though their bonuses were notdue, the Great Depression left them too poor to support themselves. The “BonusArmy” set up tents and makeshift houses around the Capitol.

Most went home when Congress denied them the money,but 5,000 stayed and protested for weeks. The characterUncle Albert was one of them. President Hoover sent thearmy to drive the protestors out. They used bayonets andtear gas and burned the camp (pictured). One marcherwas killed and many were wounded.

The Great Depression—a period of extreme economic hardship between 1929and 1939 when many were unemployed and those who had jobs made very littlemoney. Many people went without basic necessities.

After the United States entered World War II, the leaders of theUnited States and Great Britain met in Washington, D.C. to plan

their war strategy. This meeting took place in December 1941.

WINSTON CHURCHILL In Christmas Carol 1941, Elijahand Henry listen to WinstonChurchill’s Christmas Eveaddress to the Americanpeople. As the Prime Ministerof England between 1940 and

1945, Churchill led his country to victory in WorldWar II. He was famous for his talent as a speakerand was also a Nobel Prize winning author.

FRANKLIN DELANOROOSEVELT FranklinDelano Roosevelt’sChristmas Eve Message tothe Nation begins the play.He was the only AmericanPresident to be elected

four times and saw the United Statesthrough both the Great Depression andWorld War II.

Video:The War(documentary by Ken Burns)Scrooged!A Muppet Christmas Carol

WORLD LEADERS IN WAR

SCARCITY & RATIONS Margarette Schroen can’t make pineapple upside-downcake for Christmas because there is no pineapple at any of the grocery stores. During World War II, some items werein such low supply that the government rationed them tomake sure that everyone (especially American soldiers) got what they needed. Each week, a family got a certainnumber of coupons for rationed items like gasoline, sugar,coffee and canned fruits and vegetables. Fruits andvegetables were so scarce that many families begangrowing their own in “Victory Gardens.” Posters like these encouraged women to can and preserve fruits

and vegetables to feed their families.ration—to restrict the amount people can have of an item that is in short supply.