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Plot and Synopsis
Book by: Michael DeMaio
Music by: Michael DeMaio
Lyrics by: Michael DeMaio
Act One
Scene One: It is Christmas Eve in Charles Dickins’ London. The
street is filled with joyful men, women and children reveling in the Christmas
spirit. They are laden with packages, wreaths with red bows and toys. One
or more men is carrying a Christmas tree, or pulling a sleigh with a child on
it (“It’s Christmas”).
As the town’s people make their exit, three portly businessmen debate the
validity of a rumor concerning the death of a colleague Jacob Marley (“Jacob
Marley’s Dead!”).
The miserly Ebenezer Scrooge enters. When greeted by the businessmen, he
passes them with a grunt.
Scene two: On another Christmas Eve seven years later, Scrooge is in
his office at a large wooden desk. He is counting a large pile of coins
and carefully putting them in a sturdy metal box. Off to one side is his
clerk, the meek Bob Cratchit. Cratchit tries to warm his hands over the
meager flame of the candle that is on his small writing table.
In the distance is heard the approach of several singing children. Upon
hearing the Christmas tune, Cratchit smiles and gets off his small chair to listen
as the music gets closer (“God Rest You, Merry Gentlemen”). Scrooge
erupts from is seat. Wielding a large wooden ruler, he angrily chases
the children away. Two men enter. They exchange cordial greetings
with Cratchit. The men explain to Scrooge that they are collecting for
charity. Scrooge dismisses them with his usual nastiness. Scrooge’s
nephew Fred arrives. He invites his Uncle to Christmas dinner. Scrooge
refuses, and declares Christmas a waste of time and money (“Humbug!”).
The work day comes to a close. Cratchit sheepishly asks Scrooge for the
next day off observing that it is “only once a year.” Scrooge
grudgingly agrees as he snarls that it is a day of pay for Cratchit with no work, and
that Christmas is a “poor excuse for picking a man’s pocket every
25th of December.”
Scrooge leaves. Cratchit’s mood brightens as the streets once again
come to life (“It’s
Christmas Reprise”).
Scene three: Scrooge walks down a dark street and hears the sound of
an ominous, ghostly voice moaning his name. He thinks he is hearing things.
Scene four: Scrooge enters his living room in his night gown and cap. He
is still hearing the wailing of the terrible voice. Suddenly appears the
ghost of his friend and former business partner Jacob Marley. Marley’s
ghost explains to Scrooge that he has been put on earth to help Scrooge redeem
himself from his sinful ways (“Lonely
Am I”) and that he will be visited by three more spirits who will also
attempt to redeem him. Scrooge refuses to believe his eyes and ears as
he falls asleep on the large armchair that he is sitting on.
He is slowly awakened by the sound of a lovely voice (“The
Ghost of Christmas Past”). The ghost explains to Scrooge that
it is there to show Scrooge some events of his past life. Scrooge reluctantly
agrees to accompany the ghost.
Appearing on the other side of the stage is Scrooge as a young boy sitting at
a school desk. With him is his chum Tom. The young Scrooge tells
Tom that he is not going home for Christmas because his father does not want
him to.
Next enters Scrooge’s young sister Fan. She glows with the lovely
innocence of a child. She tells the young Scrooge that their father wants
him to come home. The young Scrooge is overjoyed by the prospect (“He’s
My Brother, He’s My Friend”).
The stage comes to life with a crowd of people at a Christmas party. It
is the establishment of Old Mr. Fezziwig, Scrooge’s very first employer. The
fiddler is playing and the people are joyously dancing and singing (“Mr.
Fezziwig’s Christmas Ball”). The older Scrooge becomes caught
up in the fun and declares to the ghost: “the fun that Mr. Fezziwig provided
cost but a trifle, but the joy it brought us was as if it was worth a fortune.” For
the first time Scrooge begins to see the error of his ways.
From the darkness on the other side of the stage appears a lovely young girl. It
is Elizabeth, Scrooge’s one time betrothed. She sadly explains to
the now 20 year old Scrooge that she no longer loves him, as their lives have
gone in different directions. “A golden idle has possessed you” she
cries (“He’s
Not the Man”). The older Scrooge sobs with his head in his hands. The
Ghost of Christmas Past slowly fades away.
Scene five: The stage become luminous as the thundering music begins. Scrooge
is startled by the imposing figure of the Ghost of Christmas Present (“The
Ghost of Christmas Present”).
Next we find ourselves at another Christmas party. It is the warm and inviting
home of Scrooge’s nephew Fred. At the party are Fred, his wife, his
friend Topper and his girl. Fred is regaling his guests with the story
of how his crabby old Uncle Scrooge did not accept his dinner invitation (“A
Toast to Uncle Scrooge”).
The ghost points to the far side of the stage. We see the Cratchit family
gathered at the hearth. They are Martha, Belinda, Peter, Mrs. Cratchit
and the crippled little Tiny Tim. Bob suggests that they have a toast to
the man who has provided the means for their dinner. The employer, Mr.
Scrooge. The family is appalled: “why should we drink to that
mean old man?” Tiny Tim points out that we should be kind to all
people; especially at Christmas (“God
Bless Us All, Everyone”).
Scrooge becomes overwhelmed with emotion as act one comes to a close.
Act Two
Scene one: The rise of the curtain reveals Scrooge lying at center stage. He
vents his emotions for the first time (“Why?”). Out
of the darkness appears the terrifying Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. The
ghost does not speak. It will only point with its boney, white hand. Three
businessmen appear. They are discussing the death of a colleague. They
agree that they would not go to his funeral, but may go only if a lunch is provided. Scrooge
recognizes the men as colleagues and wonders why he is not with them as he usually
is. A man and wife appear. The man explains to his wife that a person
who has lent them money has died. They are relieved because the debt will
be transferred to someone else, and that the new creditor “could never
be such a merciless creditor as he was.” Scrooge wonders who they
are speaking of.
Amongst a pile of rusted metal, old crates, and dirty rags of clothing we see
Old Joe. He is dressed in rags and has a corn cob pipe in his mouth. Old
Joe is a fencer of stolen goods. Scrooge’s house keeper, Mrs. Dilber
enters. She is carrying a large sack. Old Joe opens up the sack. “’ow
much,” asks Mrs. Dilber. Old Joe is concerned about the origin of
the bed curtains that he takes out of the large sack. He is shocked to
learn that Mrs. Dilber took them off “the poor wretched death bed…with ‘m
lyin’ there.” Old Joe is impressed with Mrs. Dilber’s
nerve (“A Lady Who’s
a Man After Me Own Heart”). Scrooge still does not know who all
these people are speaking of. He questions why they can be so calloused
about a man’s death. He wants to know if all death is like this.
We are back at the Cratchit home. All are present with the exception of
Tiny Tim. The family grieves as Bob describes the lovely place where he
promised Tiny Tim he would visit him on Sundays. The family sobs as the
plaintive voice of Tiny Tim is heard off stage (“God Bless Us All, Everyone
Reprise”).
The ghost points and reveals a grave stone with the name “Ebenezer Scrooge” on
it. Horrified, Scrooge falls to his knees and pleads with the ghost that
he is not the man he was.
Scene two: When the lights come up, Scrooge is once again in the chair
where he fell asleep. He joyously proclaims that he is a changed man and
that it could not have been a dream. He will honor Christmas for the rest
of his life.
Scene three: The street is once again crowded with happy town’s
people (“It’s
Christmas 2nd Reprise”). Scrooge enters. Everyone gets
silent when Scrooge lets out a tentative merry Christmas. Scrooge confesses
that he has been wrong and that he is a changed man. “Come and see
me anytime,” he sincerely asks (“God Bless Us All, Everyone 2nd Reprise”).
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