Kurt Cullison (as Ebenezer Scrooge) and Beth Myers (as Barb Crachler)
Ebeneezer Scrooge We have chosen to keep this name as tribute to Charles Dickens’ novel. He is different from the original Scrooge, however, except that he is also all about profit. He is a fast-talking salesman. He acts like he loves people in order to make a sale. He owns a store that sells gizmos and widgets—it does not really matter what they actually are. Most of his sales happen online, but he also owns a local store. He does everything that he can to build a profit, bending the rules and finding loopholes.
Barb Crachler This character is a variation of Bob Crachit. She is Jewish. The point for this change in name and gender identity is to allow for more contemporary values and issues to be raised. We do not live in a Christian-only world, and women make up a large part of the workforce that is still underpaid. Also, she is a grandmother.
Tiny Timmie This character is Barb Crachler’s grandchild and has a true illness that can be terminal if not treated properly. It doesn’t really matter what the illness is, but it should be indicated by uses of any or all of the following props: a bed, a head-scarf that indicates chemo-therapy, a walker, a wheelchair, oxygen tank and tubing or mask, lots of medications administered during the show, ….
Mr. Crachler This character is Barb Crachler’s spouse (see above). He is somewhat decrepit and retired. He looks after Tiny Timmie, barely. (He struggles.)
Crachler Grandchildren These poor kids live with their grandparents. Their parents are dead, in jail, incompetent, or perhaps working far away where children are not permitted. (This is up for discussion.) They will have some lines that they speak and/or sign.
Freddie Scrooge’s Nephew/Niece—this is also Maggie’s child.
Town Council They come by to acquire donations from Scrooge. They also appear in Scrooge’s hypothetical future (alluding to his possible death).
Marley This is Scrooge’s former business partner, who warns him of the coming ghosts. Again, I kept the last name as tribute to Dickens’ novel.
Ghosts of the Past—Male These two characters are passive-aggressive hippies who are versed in practices of emotional healing, whatever that means.
Peace This is a smaller spirit, a mini-hippie, that clings to these ghosts; it should be a child.
Love This is a smaller spirit, a mini-hippie that clings to these ghosts; it should be a child.
Young Adult Scrooge (Age: early/mid 20s) This character’s performance will be video recorded and shown on a screen for the contemporary Scrooge and Ghosts of the Past to watch and discuss.
Much Younger Scrooge (Age: 9-12) This character’s performance will be video recorded and shown on a screen for the contemporary Scrooge and Ghosts of the Past to watch and discuss.
Maggie This is Scrooge’s older sister, in her late teens or early 20s when she first appears. She never dies. She is the closest thing to family that Scrooge has ever experienced, until her child grows up and moves out to live near him. Freddie is her daughter. Most of this character’s performance will be video recorded and shown on a screen for the contemporary Scrooge and Ghosts of the Past to watch and discuss. She appears again at the end of the play, in current times.
A Big Flirt This character parallels Scrooge’s fast-talking methods for getting what he/she wants. Very similar to Scrooge, except that the greed is for sex rather than money. This character’s performance will be video recorded and shown on a screen for the contemporary Scrooge and Ghosts of the Past to watch and discuss.
Ghost of the Present This character is a circus ringmaster. This character shows Scrooge all the wonderful possibilities of his life, how much of a wonderful circus it could be, how much of a lousy person Scrooge currently has been (is).
Ignorance This is a smaller spirit, a mini-circus character of any kind, that clings to this ghost; it should be a child.
Want This is a smaller spirit, a mini-circus character of any kind, that clings to this ghost; it should be a child.
Ghost of the Future Evil Santa of Death: must wear mittens and a smiling mask; it might be wise to use a suit that is non-traditional Santa/Christmas colors; another option is the yeti costume in Santa hat, ect.. This character performs body gestures with sound gestures.
Happy Elves of Death These characters must be wearing a mask, preferably smiling. This character is an assistant to the Ghost of the Future (to Death). This character performs body gestures with sound gestures.
