A CHRISTMAS CAROL~THE MUSICAL © 2005 – (Revised 2012)
A Christmas Carol Musical
Act One ~ Scene One
SONG ~ Overture
[Carolers]
HARK HOW THE BELLS
SWEET SILVER BELLS
ALL SEEM TO SAY
THROW CARES AWAY
CHRISTMAS IS HERE
BRINGING GOOD CHEER
TO YOUNG AND OLD
MEEK AND THE BOLD
[Martha]
I SEE YOU’RE ON YOUR WAY SIR
CAN YOU HELP ME PLEASE
FOR MY LITTLE BROTHER
BUY MY FLOWERS PLEASE
[Scrooge]
HOW I HATE THIS JOYFUL SEASON
DO THEY HAVE TO BE SO LOUD?
IT’S NOT AS IF THEY’RE SPECIAL
THEY SING AS IF THEY’RE PROUD
AREN’T THEY AFRAID OF LOSING
ALL THE THINGS THEY HOLD SO DEAR
WHILE THEY’RE OUT THERE GALLAVANTING
BECAUSE CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE
[Bob Cratchit]
CAN YOU SMELL IT IN THE AIR
IT’S MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR
ALL THE FANCY DECORATIONS
THAT MEANS THAT CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE
CAN YOU SEE IT IN THEIR FACES
FULL OF LIGHT AND LOVE AND CHEER
AND THE KIND CONSIDERATION
BECAUSE CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE
[Carolers]
HARK HOW THE BELLS
SWEET SILVER BELLS
ALL SEEM TO SAY
THROW CARES AWAY
MERRY MERRY MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS
MERRY MERRY MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL~THE MUSICAL © 2005 – (Revised 2012)
ON ON THEY SEND ON WITHOUT END
THEIR JOYFUL TONE TO EVERY HOME
HARK HOW THE BELLS
SWEET SILVER BELLS
ALL SEEM TO SAY
THROW CARES AWAY
DING DONG DING DONG, BOM
Scrooge: [slams door] Bah, Humbug!
Act One ~ Scene Two
Narrator: Marley was dead to begin with; there is no doubt whatsoever about
that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk and the
undertaker. Scrooge had even signed it. And, his signature was as good as his
word. So there is no doubt that Marley was dead. This must be distinctly
understood or nothing wondrous can be believed about the story I’m about to
tell you. Scrooge had never painted out old Marley’s name, so there it stood
years afterward, above the warehouse door. Oh but Scrooge was a tight-fisted
hand at the grindstone. He was coldhearted and he carried his own low
temperature with him and didn’t ever thaw one degree, not even at Christmas.
Bob Cratchit: Sir…um, sir, it’s really cold in the counting house, do you think
maybe, I could have another piece of coal?
Scrooge: Trying to break me Cratchit? Did you already use the one I gave you
last week?
Bob Cratchit: But sir, a lump of coal doesn’t last forever.
Scrooge: (mockingly) A lump of coal doesn’t last forever. Obviously it doesn’t
last forever, it doesn’t even last a week! (stops and considers what he just said)
Perhaps I should invest in coal…..
(He looks back at Cratchit, who is still waiting for an answer. He looks hard
enough at him that Cratchit goes back to work without one. Scrooge turns back
to his desk when the door opens. His expression expecting a customer or
payment. Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, enters cheerfully, he turns away annoyed at
the hint of cheer)
Fred: A Merry Christmas uncle! God save you! (rubbing arms-feeling how cold it
is in the office)
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Scrooge: Bah, Humbug!
Fred: Christmas a humbug? You don’t mean that uncle, I’m sure.
Scrooge: I do. Merry Christmas. What reason have you to be merry, you’re poor
enough.
Fred: (baiting Scrooge) Come then, what reason have you to be morose? You’re
rich enough! (takes a piece of coal without Scrooge noticing)
Scrooge: Bah, humbug!
Fred: Don’t be cross uncle.
Scrooge: What else can I be, when I live in such a world of fools as this? Every
idiot who goes about with “Merry Christmas” on his lips should be boiled in his
own pudding.
Fred: Uncle!
Scrooge: Nephew! Keep Christmas in your own way and let me keep it in mine.
Fred: Keep it? But you don’t keep it!
Scrooge: Let me leave it alone then.
Fred: There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I
have not profited I daresay. Christmas among the rest. But I have always thought
of Christmas as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time. The only
time I know of in the long calendar of the year where men and women seem by
one consent to open their shut up hearts freely, and to think of people below
them as if they were really fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race
of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore uncle, 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! (Cratchit stands up clapping)
Scrooge: (to Cratchit) Let me hear another sound from you and you’ll keep your
Christmas by losing your situation! (to Fred) You are quite a powerful speaker,
you should run for Parliament.
Fred: Don’t be angry uncle. Come, Dine with us tomorrow!
Scrooge: No
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Fred: But why?
Scrooge: Why did you get married?
Fred: (chuckles to Cratchit) I’ll bite. Why did I get married?
Scrooge: It wasn’t a riddle! It was a question. Why did you get married?
Fred: Because I fell in love.
Scrooge: Because you fell in love. Good afternoon.
Fred: You didn’t come to see me before that happened, why give it as a reason
now?
Scrooge: Good afternoon.
Fred: You have no reason then?
Scrooge: (more angry) I give you good afternoon!
Fred: I want nothing from you; I ask nothing of you, why can’t we be friends?
Scrooge: Good afternoon!
Fred: I’m sorry with all my heart to find you so resolute. We have never had a
fight that I can remember. I wanted to see you in honor of Christmas, and I will
keep my Christmas humor to the last. (gives scarf) So, a Merry Christmas uncle!
Scrooge: Good afternoon
Fred: (pops head in after it’s closed) And a happy New Year!
Scrooge: Good afternoon!
Fred: (pops head in) Merry Christmas to you too Bob! (hands him the small piece
of coal he took from Scrooge’s office)
Bob Cratchit: (whispers)Thank you! (loudly) A very Merry Christmas to you too
sir! (Scrooge glares at him and throws scarf to ground)
Narrator: As his nephew leaves, two people come through the door.
Mr. Carlton: Scrooge and Marley’s I believe? Have I the pleasure of addressing
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL~THE MUSICAL © 2005 – (Revised 2012)
Mr. Scrooge or Mr. Marley?
Scrooge: Mr. Marley has been dead for seven years, seven years tonight in fact.
Ms. Anderson/Narrator: We have no doubt that his partner will be as generous
as he would have been.
Scrooge: (Scrooge laughs a little) Of that I can assure you.
Narrator: They were of one mind, you see. Of Scrooge and Marley, neither gave
much thought to anyone but themselves.
Mr. Carlton: At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge, it is more than
desirable that we should make some provision for the poor and destitute who
suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common
necessities.
Scrooge: Are there no prisons?
Ms. Anderson: Plenty of prisons.
Scrooge: And the workhouses?
Mr. Carlton: They are still in operation, though I wish I could say they were not.
Scrooge: Oh, for a moment I was afraid that something had occurred to stop
them from their useful course. I’m very glad to hear it.
Ms. Anderson: But they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the
multitude. A few of us are endeavoring to raise the funds to buy the poor some
meat and drink and means of warmth. What shall I put you down for?
Scrooge: Nothing.
Mr. Carlton: You wish to be anonymous?
Scrooge: I wish to be left alone. I don’t make myself merry at Christmas, and I
can’t afford to make idle people merry either. I support the prisons and the
workhouses (with my taxes), if the poor are still badly off, have them go there.
Ms. Anderson: Many can’t go there, and some would rather die.
Scrooge: If they would rather die, they had better do it and decrease the surplus
population. Now, good afternoon gentlemen.
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL~THE MUSICAL © 2005 – (Revised 2012)
Mr. Carlton and Ms. Anderson: (hastily backing out of office) Good afternoon
Narrator: The coldness in the office was nothing compared to the coldness of his
heart. A coldness to which Cratchit had become quite accustomed. But he was a
diligent worker in spite of it. The thought of his family kept him warm, and so he
worked throughout the day.
Bob Cratchit: Could I speak to you a moment sir?
Scrooge: What is it?
Bob Cratchit: I have some errands to attend to. I was hoping to leave a bit early
tonight.
Scrooge: What? How early? Ten minutes? Certainly not more than that….
Bob Cratchit: Um…Sir
Scrooge: Spit it out.
Bob Cratchit: I was thinking now sir.
Scrooge: Now? A whole hour? And you’ll want all day tomorrow too, I suppose.
Bob Cratchit: If it’s quite convenient sir.
Scrooge: It’s not convenient and it’s not fair. If I was to only pay you for half a
day you would think you are being badly used. But you don’t think me used
when I pay a day’s wages for no work!
Bob Cratchit: But it’s only once a year sir.
Scrooge: A poor excuse for picking a man’s pocket every 25th of December. Fine,
but be here all the earlier the next morning and I need you to finish up all your
work tonight before you leave, so I’m afraid leaving now is out of the question.
You might be done before closing time.
Bob Cratchit: I’ve finished my work sir, but I’ll tidy up before I go. (grabs scarf)
SONG ~ To Be A Scrooge
[Bob Cratchit]
I’VE ALWAYS WONDERED
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL~THE MUSICAL © 2005 – (Revised 2012)
WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE
TO BE A MISER AND HAVE
EVERYTHING YOU NEED
WOULD I BE GREEDY
OR WOULD I HELP THE POOR
TO MY FEELINGS
WOULD I LOCK THE DOOR
I’VE ALWAYS WONDERED
WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE
TO BE EBENEZER SCROOGE
I’D GIVE TO THE CHARITIES
I’D GIVE TO THE POOR
AND WHEN THEY CAME AROUND
I WOULD THROW OPEN THE DOOR
PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING
MUCH MORE THAN HIM OR ME
WOULD CERTAINLY BE HAPPY
AND WE ALL WOULD BE DEBT FREE
I’VE ALWAYS WONDERED
WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE
TO BE EBENEZER SCROOGE
Act One ~ Scene Three
Narrator: Now it is a fact that there was nothing at all particular about the
knocker on the door, except that it was very large. It is also fact that Scrooge had
seen it, day after day, year after year during his entire residence in that place. So
the peculiar thing is 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.
(Marley’s face appears in/on the door)
Marley: Scrooge….Scrooge
Scrooge: (Scrooge screams) (Knocker returns) (Reconsiders what he saw) It’s
humbug still, I won’t believe it (walks up to room)
Narrator: Up Scrooge went, not caring a button for it’s being very dark. Darkness
is cheap and Scrooge liked it. But before he shut his heavy door, he walked
through his rooms to make sure all was right. Quite satisfied, he closed his door
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL~THE MUSICAL © 2005 – (Revised 2012)
and locked himself in…doubled locked himself in, which was not his custom.
Thus secured against surprise, he took off his cravat. Put on his dressing gown
and slippers. Put on his nightcap and sat down before the very low fire to take
his gruel.
OPTIONAL CAROLING INSTEAD OF NARRATION – “SILENT NIGHT”
(special effects – chains, bells, fog, etc.)
(Marley enters)
Scrooge: I know him! Marley’s ghost! 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….you don’t believe in me?
Scrooge: I don’t
Marley: What evidence would you have of my reality beyond that of your own
senses?
Scrooge: I don’t know.
Marley: Why do you doubt your senses?
Scrooge: Because, any little thing affects them. You may be an undigested bit of
beef, a blot of mustard, a fragment of an underdone potato. There is more of
gravy then of grave about you, whatever you are.
(loud wailing)
Marley: Scrooge!
Scrooge: Mercy, dreadful apparition, why do you torment me?
Marley: Man of the worldly mind, do you believe in me or not?
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL~THE MUSICAL © 2005 – (Revised 2012)
Scrooge: I do, I must. But why do spirits walk the earth, and why do they come
to me.
Marley: It is required of every man that the spirit within him should walk abroad
among his fellow men and travel far and wide. And if that spirit does not go
forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death, and witness what it cannot
share, but might have shared on earth and found happiness.
Scrooge: You are chained, spirit.
Marley: I wear the chains I forged in life. I made them link by link, and yard by
yard. Is its pattern strange to you? Or would you know the weight and length of
the strong coils you bear yourself? It was as heavy and as long as this seven
Christmas Eves ago. You have labored on it since.
Scrooge: Jacob Marley, my old partner, speak comfort to me.
Marley: I have none to give. It comes from other regions, Ebenezer Scrooge. It is
conveyed by other ministers. Nor can I tell you what I would. Very little is
permitted to me. I cannot stay, I cannot rest, I cannot linger anywhere. A weary
journey lies before me. Incessant torture of remorse.
Scrooge: But you were always a good man of business Jacob.
Marley: Business! Mankind was my business! And that business I neglected, as
I neglected all that did not put a coin in my pocket.
Scrooge: I don’t understand.
Marley: The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance and
benevolence were my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of
water in the comprehensive ocean of my business. At this time of year, I suffer
most. Why did I walk through crowds of fellow beings with my eyes turned
down? Hear me! My time is nearly gone.
Scrooge: I will, but don’t be hard upon me.
Marley: How it is that I appear before you in this shape that you see I cannot tell,
but I am here tonight to warn you that you have yet a chance and hope of
escaping my fate.
Scrooge: You were always a good friend to me.
Marley: You will be haunted by three spirits.
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL~THE MUSICAL © 2005 – (Revised 2012)
Scrooge: I don’t believe I desire that kind of friendship spirit. You are quite
enough already.
Marley: Scrooge! You WILL be haunted by three spirits!
Scrooge: Is that the chance and hope you mention Jacob? (shaking)
Marley: It is.
Scrooge: I-I think that I would rather not, if a more suitable arrangement….
Marley: Without their visits, you cannot hope to shun the path I tread. Expect the
first tomorrow, when the bell tolls one.
Scrooge: Good spirit, can I take them all at once, and have it over?
Marley: Expect the second on the next night at the same hour, and the third upon
the next night when the last stroke of twelve has ceased to vibrate. Look for me
no more, and look that, for your sake, you remember what has passed between
us.
SONG ~ Life In Chains
[Marley]
(poss. spoken)
(sung)
THESE CHAINS THAT CONFINE ME
FOR ALL MY EVIL DEEDS
I NEVER THOUGHT OF ANYONE
ESPECIALLY THEIR NEEDS
I’VE LEARNED ME LESSON NOW
BUT IT’S TOO LATE TO CHANGE
I HAVE TO LIVE MY AFTERLIFE IN CHAINS
YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT
YOU ARE DOING TO YOUR FRIENDS
YOUR FAMILY MEANS NOTHING
AND THAT’S NOT WHERE IT ENDS
YOU’VE TOLD ALL SORTS OF LIES
AND CAUSED ALL SORT OF PAIN
FOR THAT YOU’LL LIVE YOUR
AFTERLIFE IN CHAINS
EBENEZER, PLEASE LEARN YOUR LESSON WELL
YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO CHANGE
AND AVOID MEETING ME IN HELL
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YOU HAVE ONE MORE CHANCE
SOMEONE UP THERE MUST LOVE YOU
OTHERWISE YOU’D BE DEAD
FOR THE PAIN YOU HAVE CAUSED
(spoken)
I am one of four that will meet you tonight.
The hour will come when the bell tolls one.
They’ll teach you the wrongs you have done in life…
To change your path before it ends in chains.
Narrator: Scrooge, terrified, watched him leave, and then eventually dropped off
into a fitful sleep. He awoke sometime later and looked at the clock. Suddenly,
no more than a few seconds later the clock strikes one. Scrooge crawls under his
covers and hides.
Scrooge: Are you the spirit whose coming was foretold to me?
Ghost Past: I am.
Scrooge: Wh-Who, and what are you?
Ghost Past: I am the ghost of Christmas past.
Scrooge: Long past?
Ghost Past: No, your past.
Scrooge: Why are you here?
Ghost Past: Your welfare! Rise and walk with me….
Scrooge: I am a mortal and will fall.
Ghost Past: You will most certainly fall if you do not. Hold onto my sleeve.
(they travel to a schoolroom)
Scrooge: I remember this place. I was a boy here. Will they not see us?
Ghost Past: These are but shadows of things that have been; they have no
consciousness of us. The school is not quite deserted. A solitary child neglected
by his friends is left there still.
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Scrooge: I wish that…..
Ghost Past: What?
Scrooge: Nothing. It’s just that, last night there were townsfolk singing a
Christmas carol, and a girl selling flowers. Now I wish I could have given them
something.
(a young girl walks up to the boy)
Scrooge: It’s my sister, Fan.
Fan: Come on Ebby. It’s time to go home. (they walk off together)
Ghost Past: She was always a delicate creature, but she had a large heart. She
died a young woman, and had, I think, children.
Scrooge: One child.
Ghost Past: True, your nephew!
Scrooge: Yes.
Ghost Past: Let us see another Christmas.
(they travel to a warehouse)
Ghost Past: Do you know this place?
Scrooge: Know it? I was apprenticed here.
Fezziwig: Huzzah!
Scrooge: Why, it’s old Fezziwig!
Fezziwig: Yo, ho my boys. Put your work away. It’s Christmas Eve!! (various
positive comments such as) “Oh, my goodness. “ “Let’s have some fun.” “The
year is nearly over.” (handing envelopes to two young men) Jacob, you’ve done
so well. I’m thankful for you. Ebenezer, here’s a little something for you. Thank
you for a wonderful year.
(to the audience) Oh my goodness. Merry Christmas everybody! How
wonderful that you could make it to our Christmas party tonight. I have gifts.
Who wants a gift? (ad libs as he hands out envelopes containing gifts) I’m all
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out. I’m so sorry. You must forgive me. Next time I will bring more. But where
are my workers? I think it’s time for us to have some fun. Let’s dance! Does
everybody know how to dance? I sure hope so. 1-2-3-4.
(Dance, with Fezziwig weaving in and out of couples; ad libbing comments)
Fezziwig: (to a girl) Oh, but you are so graceful.
Man: Thank you.
Fezziwig: I wasn’t talking to you. (after dance is done) Children, let’s go eat.
(all exit except Fezziwig & Young Scrooge/Belle, who are frozen in dance pose)
Fezziwig: Belle, come along. It’s time for us to eat. (she leaves)
Young Scrooge: Who was that?
Fezziwig: My boy…I’ll introduce you! (ushers him off stage)
Ghost Past: A small matter to make the silly folk so full of gratitude.
Scrooge: Small?
Ghost Past: Is it not? He has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money. Is
that so much he deserves praise?
Scrooge: It isn’t that, spirit. He has the power to render us happy or unhappy, to
make our service light or burdensome, a pleasure or toll. His power lies in words
and looks. The happiness he gives is quite as great as if it costs a fortune.
Ghost Past: What’s the matter?
Scrooge: Nothing in particular.
Ghost Past: Something, I think.
Scrooge: No, no. I should just like to be able to say a work or two to my clerk just
now. That’s all.
Ghost Past: My time grows short, quickly now!
(Scrooge sees Belle)
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Belle: It matters little. To you, very little. Another idol has displaced me, and if it
can cheer and comfort you in time to come, as I would try to do, I have no just
cause to grieve.
Young Scrooge: What idol has displaced you?
Belle: A golden one.
Young Scrooge: But this is the evenhanded dealing of the world! There is
nothing on which the world is so hard as poverty, and there’s nothing it
professes to condemn with such severity as the pursuit of wealth.
Belle: You fear the world too much. All your hopes have merged into the hope of
being beyond the chance of that sort of reproach. I have seen your nobler
aspirations fall off one by one until the master passion, gain, engrosses you.
Have I not? What of us? What of your promise to me?
Young Scrooge: What then, even if I have grown so much wiser, what then? I am
not changed toward you…am I? Am I at fault for waiting until I am secure
enough in home and financial stature to never burden you with risk of poverty? I
promised to marry, and we will marry…as soon as I have enough…
Belle: Our contract is an old one. It was made when we were both poor, and
content to be so, until in good season we could improve out worldly fortune by
our patient industry together. You are changed. When this promise was made,
you were another man.
Young Scrooge: I was a boy.
Belle: Your own feelings tell you that you are not what you once were. I am. That
which promised happiness when we were one in heart, is fraught with misery
now that we are two. How often and how keenly I have thought of this I will not
say. It is enough that I have thought of it, and can release you.
Young Scrooge: Have I ever sought release?
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. If this had never been between us, tell me,
would you seek me out and try to win me now? (pause) Ah…no.
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Young Scrooge: You think not?
Belle: I would gladly think otherwise if I could. But if you were free today,
tomorrow, yesterday, can I even believe that you would choose a dowerless girl,
who in your every confidence with her, you weigh everything by gain? Do I not
know that your repentance and regret would surely follow? I do…and I release
you. For the love of him you once were. You may, and a part of me hopes you
will, have some pain in this. But in a very brief time, you will dismiss this gladly
as an unprofitable dream from which it happened well that you awoke. May you
be happy in this life you have chosen.
SONG ~ Belle’s Song
[Belle]
(bells toll)
IN YOUR EYES
ALL I SEE IS A VACANT STARE
WHERE THERE USED TO BE THE SWEETEST LOVE
NOW I SEE NOTHING THERE
I’VE BEEN REPLACED BY MONEY COLD
COMPANIONSHIP, DESIRE
BETRAYED FOR GOLD
WON’T YOU MISS THE HEART YOU STOLE FROM ME?
I WOULD TURN AROUND AND STAY
IF I THOUGHT THERE WAS A CHANCE
BUT NO SMILE
NO GLANCE.
SO I SIGH AS I SAY…GOODBYE.
SONG ~ Why Do You Haunt Me?
[Scrooge]
WHY DO YOU HAUNT ME,
MY DARKEST MEMORY
WHY CAN’T I JUST LET YOU GO
[Young Scrooge]
WHY DO YOU HAUNT ME
MY FONDEST MEMORY
WHY CAN’T I JUST LET GO
[Scrooge]
WHY CAN’T YOU SEE WHAT I AM?
[Young Scrooge]
I’M NOT THE MAN THAT YOU KNOW
[Scrooge]
WE COULD HAVE GONE AFTER HER THEN
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[Both]
BUT I TOLD HER TO GO
WHY DO YOU HAUNT ME?
MY DARKEST MEMORY
WHY CAN’T YOU (I) JUST LET (ME) GO
JUST LET GO
Scrooge: Why must you show me these things?
Ghost Past: These are visions of things that have been. But they are what they
are. Do not blame me. (takes Scrooge away from there)
SONG ~ New Hopes (Things Forgotten)
[Ghost Past]
EBENEZER SCROOGE
THE TIME HAS COME FOR YOU
TO REALIZE YOU’RE NOT ALONE
AND HOW YOUR GREED HAS GROWN
I’M HERE TO SHOW YOUR MISTAKE
SO COME TAKE MY HAND
(spoken)
Remember how excited you were to see your sister? She was your
family. Do you even remember your family now? Several years later you were at
a party with your boss Fezziwig, your best friend at the time. Now you would
probably have him thrown out if he didn’t pay you on time. It was there you met
the love of your life, I believe. You instantly fell for each other. But a couple of
years later, you decided that money was more important than your companion.
Even after she tried to give you a chance, you went straight for the ring and lost
her forever.
(sung)
AS I’VE SAID BEFORE
YOU’RE GREEDY TO THE CORE
(spoken)
You gave up Your family & friends…And your love.
My time grows short and so does yours.
Scrooge: Take me back, haunt me no longer (keeps saying this until in
bed/thrashing the covers, like a bad dream---then wakes up suddenly)
INTERMISSION
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ACT 2 ~ SCENE 1
Scrooge: How strange that I’m back here. And it’s almost... (runs around set
babbling) Yes, everything is in it’s place, seems normal. (Scrooge is slowly
convinced it’s all a dream. Just as he lets his guard down, the bell tolls again)
Ghost Present: Scrooge… (smoke effect)
Scrooge: No! (three knocks sound at the door, strong and slow) No spirit! I will
not believe this!
Ghost Present: Scrooge, come forth and know me better man! (haunting knocks
again)
Scrooge: I suppose I’d better. (He leaves the bed and walks to the door, looks out
and is relieved to see nothing. Ghost Present falls through the window, coughing
from the smoke, and shocks Scrooge as he turns around.)
Ghost Present: Ah, there you are. I am the spirit of Christmas Present. You have
never seen the likes of me before!
Scrooge: Never
Ghost Present: That wasn’t a question. Have you never walked forth with the
younger members of my family, meaning, for I am very young, my elder
brothers born in these earlier years?
Scrooge: I beg your pardon?
Ghost Present: (Pulls out checklist of things to do) Have you never walked forth
with the younger members… (sees that Scrooge still looks puzzled) …never
mind, I said it so it still counts.
Scrooge: Please spirit…
Ghost Present: (puts up her hand and cuts him off) look, (looks at name on list)
Ebenezer? (chuckles) …your name is Ebenezer?
Scrooge: Scrooge.
Ghost Present: (outrageous laughter) What? Did your dad sneeze on the birth
certificate? Look (looks at name again) Scrooge. I’m new at this and
you’re…um…newer. I have to get through this list of things to show you and tell
you so that you have a chance of saving yourself. I will get through this list. The
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL~THE MUSICAL © 2005 – (Revised 2012)
rest is up to you.
Scrooge: And if you don’t get through the list?
Ghost Present: Me? I suppose I could get a lecture…but you? Your basic eternity
of misery, chains, howling, screaming type of thing. You’re doomed. Now,
where was I?
Scrooge: The list. Spirit, conduct me where you will. I went forth last night on
compulsion, and I learned a lesson which is working now. Tonight, if you have
anything to teach me, let me profit by it.
Ghost Present: Touch my robe. (looks back and sees it on the floor) Touch my
robe.
Scrooge: Spirit, where are we going?
Ghost Present: To visit the home and hearth of someone you might recognize.
Scrooge: None of them look familiar to me.
Ghost Present: (looks at the list) Well, this is the right address…. (shakes head,
crosses off list)
Mrs. Cratchit: What has ever got your precious father, then? And your brother,
Tiny Tim? And Martha wasn’t a half hour late last year…
Martha Cratchit: Here’s Martha mother!
Ann Cratchit: Here’s Martha mother!
Peter Cratchit: Welcome home, you should see the goose!
Mrs. Cratchit: Why bless your heart , my dear, how late you are!
Martha Cratchit: We had a great deal of work to finish up last night. And had to
clear away this morning, mother.
Mrs. Cratchit: Well, never mind, so long as you are here! Sit down before the fire
my dear, and get warm. Lord bless you.
Ann Cratchit: Father’s coming!
Peter Cratchit: Hide Martha, hide! (she does)
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(Bob Cratchit enters with Tiny Tim)
Scrooge: Him I recognize, that’s my clerk…
Ghost Present: That one was easy. (checks off list)
Bob Cratchit: Why, where’s our Martha?
Mrs. Cratchit: Not coming.
Bob Cratchit : Not coming?…Not coming on Christmas Day?
(Martha can’t stand to see him disappointed, so comes out)
Martha Cratchit: Here I am father!
Bob Cratchit: There’s my girl!
Mrs. Cratchit: Martha, take Tim to wash up.
Martha Cratchit: Yes, mother.
(they walk out- Tiny Tim goes to position for song)
Mrs. Cratchit: And how did little Tim behave?
Bob Cratchit: As good as gold and better. Somehow, he gets thoughtful, sitting
by himself so much, and he thinks of the strangest things you ever heard. He told
me, coming home, that he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he
was crippled, and that it might be pleasant for them to remember upon
Christmas day who made the lame beggars walk and the blind man see.
SONG ~ Content Being Me
[Tiny Tim]
SOMEDAY SOON, I’LL PLAY WITH ALL
THE OTHER KIDS
SOMEDAY SOON, MY MOM WON’T HIDE HER TEARS
I WILL WALK AND TALK AND MAKE MY WAY
THROUGH A HUNDRED HAPPY YEARS
SOMEDAY SOON I’LL BE THE BOY I’VE ALWAYS
WANTED TO BE,
BUT FOR NOW, I’M CONTENT BEING ME
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SOMEDAY SOON, I’LL BE RICH AND FAMOUS,
SOMEDAY SOON, I’LL BRING PRESENTS BY THE
SCORE.
AND MAKE CHRISTMAS HERE SO BIG AND BRIGHT
LIKE IT’S NEVER BEEN BEFORE
SOMEDAY SOON I’LL HAVE THE CHRISTMAS THAT I
WISH TO SEE
BUT THIS CHRISTMAS, I’M CONTENT BEING ME.
Mrs. Cratchit: Dinner’s ready
Bob Cratchit: Ah! Look at that goose!
Peter Cratchit: And the pudding! Everything is perfect mother.
Martha Cratchit: Yes, perfect.
Scrooge: That’s the smallest goose I’ve ever seen, And hardly enough pudding
for two, let alone a family of six.
Ghost Present: Hmmmm….I wonder why. (Looks harshly at Scrooge.) (Checks
off list---without looking up) Jerk. (Scrooge looks away in shame.)
(family sings a song, Bob hands out candy canes, or something similar under…)
Scrooge: Spirit, tell me if Tiny Tim will live.
Ghost Present: I am the ghost of Christmas…..
Scrooge: Present?
Ghost Present: How would I know? Fine. If the shadows remain unaltered by
the future, I see a vacant seat in the poor chimney corner, and a crutch without
an owner, carefully preserved.
Scrooge: No, no. Oh no kind spirit, say he will be spared.
Ghost Present: If these shadows remain unaltered by the future, oops, already
said that (checks off list). None other of my race shall find him here. What then?
If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Will
you decide who will live? Who shall die? It may be that in the sight of heaven,
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you are more worthless and less fit to live than millions like this poor man’s
child.
Bob Cratchit: Mr. Scrooge! I’ll give you Mr. Scrooge, the founder of the feast!
Ghost Present: A good man this Cratchit, even after working for you!
Mrs. Cratchit: The founder of the feast indeed! I wish I had him here. I’d give
him a piece of my mind to feast upon, and I hope he’d have a good appetite for
it.
Bob Cratchit: My dear, the children…Christmas Day?
Mrs. Cratchit: It should be Christmas Day, I am sure, on which one toasts to the
heath of such an odious, stingy, hard, unfeeling man as Mr. Scrooge. You know
he is Robert, nobody knows it better than you, poor fellow…
(Ghost Present hits Scrooge in the arm after each word “odious” “stingy” etc.)
Bob Cratchit: My dear, Christmas day.
SONG ~ A Toast
[Mr. Cratchit]
TO MR. SCROOGE THE FOUNDER OF THE FEAST
[Mrs. Cratchit]
THE FOUNDER OF THE FEAST INDEED
[Mr. Cratchit]
MY DEAR, WE MUST THINK OF THE CHILDREN
PLEASE
[Mrs. Cratchit]
THE CHILDREN ALL AGREE WITH ME
[Mr. Cratchit]
WITHOUT SCROOGE I WOULDN’T HAVE MY WORK
[Mrs. Cratchit]
AND MAYBE A LIFE WITH LITTLE STRESS
[Mr. Cratchit]
COME, MY DEAR, IT IS CHRISTMAS DAY
SO PLEASE, WE SHOULD TOAST TO HIS HEALTH
[Mrs. Cratchit] (overlap)
I WILL TOAST HIS MERRY LITTLE HEALTH
[Mr. Cratchit]
A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO MY HUMBLE BOSS
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[Mrs. Cratchit]
AS HUMBLE AS A DRUNKEN LOUT
[Both]
MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. SCROOGE
[Mrs. Cratchit]
HE’LL BE VERY MERRY I’VE NO DOUBT
Mrs. Cratchit: I’ll drink to his health for your sake, and today’s. But not for him.
To Mr. Scrooge: A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. He’ll be very merry
and very happy I’m sure.
Ghost Present: (chuckles cutely) Time to move on
Scrooge: Yes spirit. (hears laughing) I recognize that laugh.
Ghost Present: You should (checks list)
Scrooge: Why, that’s my nephew.
Fred: (laughing) He said that Christmas was a humbug! He believed it too.
Abby: The more shame for him, Fred.
Fred: He is a comical old fellow, that’s the truth. And not so pleasant as he might
be. However, his offenses carry their own punishment, and I have nothing to say
against him.
(Scrooge feels a little cocky. Ghost Present raises a hand, Scrooge cringes)
Abby: I’m sure he is very rich, Fred. At least you always tell me so.
Fred: What of that, my dear? His wealth is of no use to him. He does no good
with it. He doesn’t make himself comfortable with it. And he doesn’t have the
satisfaction of thinking that he us ever going to benefit us with it.
Abby: I have no patience with him.
Fred: Oh I have! I am sorry for him. I couldn’t be angry with him if I tried. Who
suffers by his ill whims? Himself, always. Here, he takes it into his head
to dislike us, and he won’t come and dine with us. What’s the consequence? He
loses out on a good dinner. The consequence of his taking a dislike to us and not
making merry with us is that he loses some pleasant moments, which could do
him no harm. I mean to give him the same chance every year, whether he likes it
or not. For I pity him. He may rail at Christmas until he dies, but he can’t help
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thinking better of it - I defy him-if he finds me going there, in good temper, year
after year, and saying “Uncle Scrooge, How are you? Come dine with us.”. If it
only puts him in the vein to leave his poor clerk 50 pounds, that’s something.
And I think I shook him yesterday.
Abby: Enough of this talk, shall we play a game?
Guests: Yes, let’s, of course, etc.
Fred: How about charades?
Abby: No, we played that last time. How about 20 questions? You go first Fred;
you are always great at this one.
Guests: (agree in various ways)
Fred: Enough already…OK I have one.
Guest One: Is it an animal?
Fred: Oh, yes
Guest Two: Is it alive?
Fred: Still to this day.
Guest Three: Is it agreeable?
Fred: Heavens no (laughs)
Guest Four: Is it savage?
Fred: Sometimes
Guest One: Does it growl?
Fred: Often
Guest Two: Is it a bear?
Fred: Not likely
Guest Three: Is it a dog?
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Fred: No
Guest Four: Is it a cat?
Fred: Yes…No
Guest One: Can it talk?
Fred: Yes
Guest Two: Can it be found in London?
Fred: Yes
Guest Three: Does it live in a zoo?
Fred: No
Guest Four: It lives in London, can talk, often growls, and is a disagreeable
animal? I have it! It’s your Uncle Scrooge! (Everyone laughs)
Guest One: You could have said “yes “to the “Is it a bear?” question (more
laughter)
Fred: He has given us plenty of merriment! I am sure it would be ungrateful not
to drink to his health. Here is to Uncle Scrooge!
All: Uncle Scrooge!!
Fred: A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the old man, wherever he is.
He wouldn’t take it from me, but he may have nevertheless. Uncle Scrooge!
(Scrooge raises an imaginary glass to his Nephew)
Ghost Present: We must go from this place, my life upon this globe is very brief,
it ends tonight.
Scrooge: Tonight?
SONG ~ NO IF’S
[Ghost Present]
HAVE YOU EVER HELPED A FRIEND IN NEED?
[Scrooge]
I…
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[Ghost Present]
Shhhh.
HAVE YOU EVER STOPPED TO LEND A HAND?
[Scrooge]
But…
[Ghost Present]
Quiet!
HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT
YOUR OWN GREED?
MAYBE I CAN HELP YOU UNDERSTAND
Chorus
NO IFS, NO ANDS, NO BUTS,
YOU MUST DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN
IF YOU WANT TO HELP YOURSELF
YOU MUST HELP YOUR FELLOW MAN
CAN YOU SEE THE JOY FROM AFAR?
[Scrooge]
Yes!
[Ghost Present]
Shhhh!
CAN YOU SEE THE PEOPLE YOU HAVE LOST
[Scrooge]
I know
[Ghost Present]
YOU COULD ALWAYS STAY JUST AS YOU ARE
[Scrooge]
Really?
[Ghost Present]
(laughing) Please!
IT JUST COMES AT MUCH TOO HIGH A COST
Chorus
[Ghost Present]
(spoken)
(sung)
TAKE THIS MOMENT NOW AND HEED ME WELL
JUST A FEW MORE WORDS AND I WILL GO
I DON’T WANT TO SEE YOU GO TO
You know…that bad place.
SO BE GOOD, AND BE FAIR, AND YOU’LL KNOW
(holds out last note and milks audience for applause)
(a higher power is upset & we hear a thunderclap)
(she stops)
Okay! Rude.
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NO IFS, NO ANDS, NO BUTS
YOU MUST DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN
AND YOU WILL HELP YOURSELF
WHEN YOU HELP YOUR FELLOW MAN
Ghost Present: Hark, the time is drawing near (Ghost Present leaves, bell
tolls….thunder and lightning as Ghost of Christmas Future enters)
Scrooge: (shaking and afraid) I am in the presence of the ghost of Christmas yet
to come?
(Ghost nods)
Scrooge: You are about to show me shadows of things that have not happened,
that will happen in the time that lies before us. Is that so, spirit?
(no movement by ghost, Scrooge falls on his knees, terrified)
Scrooge: Ghost of the future, I fear you more than any specter I have seen. But as
I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to live to be another man
from what I was, I am prepared to bear you company and do it with a thankful
heart. (pause) Will you not speak to me?
(ghost points forward)
Scrooge: Lead on, lead on! The night is waning fast and it is precious time to me,
I know. Lead on spirit.
(ghost stops-three people around a bonfire)
Person One: No, I don’t know much about it either way. I only know he’s dead.
Person Two: When did he die?
Person One: Last night I believe.
Person Three/ Narrator: Why, what was the matter with him? I thought he’d
never die.
Person One: God knows.
Person Two: What has he done with all that money of his?
Person One: I haven’t heard, left it to his company perhaps. He hasn’t left it to
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL~THE MUSICAL © 2005 – (Revised 2012)
me, that’s all I know. It’s likely to be a very cheap funeral, for, upon my life, I
don’t know of anybody to go to it. Suppose we make up a party and volunteer?
Person Two: I don’t mind going if lunch is provided, but I must be fed, if I make
the attempt.
Person Three/Narrator: Well I am the most disinterested among you, after all, for
I never wear black gloves, and I never eat lunch. But I’ll offer to go if anybody
else will. When I come to think of it, I’m not at all sure that I wasn’t his particular
friend, for we used to stop and speak whenever we met (everyone laughs~
Narrator steps away) She said this in jest, because, though she would often greet
Scrooge on the street, her greeting was usually met with a “Bah” or a “Humbug”.
(Ghost points at a man’s figure on a bed, they pause….and then on to the sale)
(Three people gathered around a makeshift desk)
Joe: So, what have you brought me? You there, Sally, the maid, you go first and
then you Mina. Well come on, I don’t have all day. Oh wait. Yes I have (laughs
out loud, all join in, he looks at them, they stop)
Mina: That’s quite a bundle you have there, Sally….
Sally: Everyone’s got the right to take care of themselves. HE always did.
Mina: That’s true enough, no man more so.
(Joe opens the bundle, goes through it, gives Sally money)
Joe: That’s all you have for me? Alright. Next…
Mina: Undo my bundle Joe.
Joe: What do you call these??
Mina: Bed curtains.
Joe: Bed curtains? Was the old guy still dyin when you snatched them?
Mina: No, he was dead alright. How else do you think I was able to get the
blankets too (giggles)
Joe: (gives her money) I hope he didn’t die of anything catching…
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Mina: Not unless being old, cranky and stingy is catching.
Sally: I have this shirt too, and you won’t find a threadbare place or a hole in it,
they would have wasted it if it were not for me. (Joe starts to put it on}
Joe: What do you call wasting it?
Sally: Putting it on him to bury him in it. (Joe takes it off) Somebody was fool
enough to put it on him (at Mina), but I took it off again.
Joe: (gives her money) Our business is done here…good think he ran off all his
family while he was living. No one left to care what happens to his things, better
for us. He was more generous dead than living!
Others: (big laughs from all---light fades out)
Scrooge: I see, I see. The case of this unhappy man might be my own. My life
tends that way now. Is there no one in this town who feels emotion caused by
this man’s death? Show that person to me, spirit, I beseech you!
(young woman, wringing her hands, waiting for her husband)
Carolyn: Is it good? Or bad?
Sam: Bad
Carolyn: We are quite ruined?
Sam: No. There is hope yet, Carolyn.
Carolyn: If he relents there is! Nothing is past hope if such a miracle has
happened.
Sam: He is past relenting. He is dead.
(Carolyn momentarily smiles with relief and then realizes what she has done and
is suddenly somber)
Sam: What the half-drunken woman whom I told you of last night said to me,
when I tried to see him and obtain a week’s delay, and what I thought was a
mere excuse to avoid me, turns out to have been quite true. He was not only very
ill, but dying then.
Carolyn: To whom will our debt be transferred?
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Sam: I don’t know. But before that time we shall be ready with the money and
even though we were not, it would be bad fortune indeed to find so merciless a
creditor in his successor. We may sleep tonight with light hearts Carolyn! (They
both smile and hold each other)
Scrooge: Let me see some tenderness connected with death or this will indeed
haunt me forever.
(ghost leads him to the Cratchit’s house, Mrs. Cratchit is sewing and crying, the
children look up at her)
Mrs. Cratchit: I’m alright. It’s just the light. It hurts my eyes, (wipes tears from
eyes, facing away from children) They’re better now again. It makes them weak
to sew by candlelight. I wouldn’t show weak eyes to your father when he comes
home for the world. It must be near time for him to be here.
Peter: Past it rather, but I think he has walked a little slower than he used to
these last few evenings, mother.
Mrs. Cratchit: (all very quiet- she tries to cheer them) I have known him to walk
with-(faltering) I have known him to walk with Tiny Tim upon his shoulder very
fast indeed.
Peter: And so have I, often.
Martha: And I
Ann: And I
Mrs. Cratchit: But he was very light to carry, and his father loved him so, that it
was no trouble-no trouble. (Hears Bob Cratchit at the door) And there is your
father now. (wipes eyes, tries to look strong) Sunday! You went today then
Robert?
Cratchit: Yes my dear. I wish you could have gone. It would have done you good
to see how green a place it is. But it’s OK. You’ll see it often. I promised him that
I would walk there every Sunday. My little, little child (he cries) my little child…
SONG ~ LITTLE CHILD
[Mrs. Cratchit]
LITTLE CHILD, YOU WERE THE LIGHT
OF MY DAYS
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MY LITTLE CHILD MAGIC IN EVERY WAY
THE WORLD IS BRIGHTER THROUGH YOUR
EYES,
IT’S SO HARD TELLING YOU GOODBYE
(she repeats as Tiny Tim sings)
[Tiny Tim]
SOMEDAY SOON, I’LL PLAY WITH ALL THE
OTHER KIDS
SOMEDAY SOON, MY MOM WON’T HIDE
HER TEARS
I WILL WALK AND TALK AND MAKE MY WAY
THROUGH A HUNDRED HAPPY YEARS
SOMEDAY SOON I WILL BE THE BOY I’VE
ALWAYS WANTED TO BE,
BUT FOR NOW I’M CONTENT BEING ME
Bob Cratchit: I saw someone today. I never believed he would remember me. We
only met once or twice. It was Mr. Scrooge’s nephew. He saw that I looked a little
down, you know, and asked what had happened. When I told him, he said “I am
heartily sorry for it Mr. Cratchit” and also he said “I am heartily sorry for your
good wife” however he knew that, I don’t know.
Mrs. Cratchit: Knew what, my dear?
Bob Cratchit: Why, that you were a good wife (smiles)
Peter: Everyone knows that
Bob Cratchit: (whispered to Peter) Good save, my boy. I hope they do. He also
said “If I can be of service to you in any way”, he said giving his card. “That’s
where I live, please come and see me”. Now it wasn’t for the sake of anything he
might be able to do for us that made this moment so special, but that it really
seemed as if he had known our Tiny Tim, and felt with us.
Mrs. Cratchit: I’m sure he’s a good soul.
Bob Cratchit: You would be sure of it my dear, if you had seen and spoken to
him. I shouldn’t be at all surprised, mark what I say, if he got Peter a better
situation.
Mrs. Cratchit: Oh Peter, did you hear your father?!
Ann Cratchit: And then Peter will be keeping company with someone, and
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maybe getting married…
Peter Cratchit: Shut up you (smiling)
Bob Cratchit: It’s as likely as not, one of these days, but there’s plenty of time for
that. But, however or whenever we part from one another, I’m sure none of us
will forget out Tiny Tim, or this first parting that there was among us.
Rest of Cratchit Family: No never, that’s right, etc.
SONG ~ AM I A MONSTER
[Scrooge]
AM I A MONSTER?
HAVE I TRULY FALLEN SO FAR?
AM I THE REASON
ALL THESE THINGS ARE AS THEY ARE?
WHAT HAVE I DONE HERE?
HOW MANY LIVES HAVE I UNDONE?
BY CLOSING MY HEART
AND HAVING TIME FOR NO ONE
[Old & Young
Scrooges]
WHO (YOU) IS (ARE) THIS GREEDY COLD UNFEELING
THING THAT I (YOU) SEE?
HOW DID I GET HERE?
AND HOW CAN I GET FREE?
[Old Scrooge]
OH GOD I’M THE MONSTER
EVERYONE’S SAYING THAT I AM
THERE MUST BE A SOME WAY
SOME WAY THAT I CAN SAVE THE MAN
FROM THE MONSTER
Scrooge: Specter, something informs me that our parting moment is at hand. I
know it, but I know not how. Tell me what man that was whom we saw lying
dead.
(they walk)
Scrooge: This court through which we hurry now is where my place of
occupation is and has been for some time. I see the house. Let me behold what I
shall be in days to come.
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(the spirit stops, hand pointed elsewhere)
Scrooge: The house is there, why do you point away?
(the spirit moves toward the graveyard, Scrooge follows)
Scrooge: Before I draw near to that stone to which you point please answer me
one question. Are these the shadows of things that WILL be, or they the shadows
of the things that MAY be only?
(spirit points to gravestone)
Scrooge: Men’s courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in,
they must lead. But if the course be departed from, the ends will change. Say it
thus with what you show me.
(he sees gravestone)
Scrooge: Am I the man who was upon that bed? No spirit, oh no, no!
SONG ~ REDEMPTION
[Marley]
WELL, I TRIED TO WARN YOU
I HAD TOLD YOU THEY WOULD COME
ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS LISTEN
AND YOUR TORTURE WOULD BE DONE
[Scrooge] (overlap) I HAVE CHANGED. I WILL SHOW YOU.
GIVE ME ONE MORE CHANCE
TO SHOW WHAT GOOD I’LL DO.
PAST AND PRESENT AND THE FUTURE
ALL HAD MERCY ON YOUR SOUL
BUT IF YOU DON’T HEED THEIR WARNING
THEN DAMNATION IS YOUR GOAL
NOW YOUR CHAINS HAVE BEEN CREATED
THEY’RE JUST WAITING FOR YOUR TIME
YOU’LL BE STUCK IN CHAINS FOREVER
AND YOU’LL PAY FOR ALL YOUR CRIME
Scrooge: Spirit, hear me! I am not the man I was. I will not be the man I must
have been save for this intercourse. Oh tell me that I may sponge away the
writing on that stone.
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[Martha]
SEE YOU ON YOUR WAY SIR. THANKS TO YOU HE’S…
[Choir]
EBENEZER, EBENEZER, EBENEZER
[Scrooge]
EVEN THOUGH I DON’T DESERVE IT
ALL THE THINGS THAT I HAVE DONE
BUT I ASK FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS
AND A WAY TO SAVE THEIR SON.
Scrooge: Good spirit, your nature intercedes for me, and pities me. I will honor
Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the past,
present, and future. The spirits of all three shall strive within me. I will not shut
out the lessons that they teach.
(spirit of Christmas future disappears; Scrooge is at his own bed)
Scrooge: I will live in the past, the present, and the future! The spirits of all three
shall strive within me. Oh Jacob Marley! Heaven and Christmas time be praised
for this. I say it on my knees, Old Jacob, on my knees.
(happily running around, looks at bed)
Scrooge: They’re not torn; they are not torn down, rings and all. They are here-I
am here-the shadows of the things that would have been may yet be dispelled!
They will be. I know they will!
(getting partway dressed)
Scrooge: I don’t know what to do!! I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an
angel. I am as merry as a schoolboy. I am as giddy as a drunken man. A Merry
Christmas to everybody. A happy new year to all the world! Whoopee!!
(runs through house)
Scrooge: There’s the saucepan that the gruel was in. There is the door by which
Jacob Marley entered. There’s the place where the ghost of Christmas Present
fell! It’s all right! It’s all true! It all happened! hahaha!
(looks around)
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Scrooge: I don’t know what day of the month it is. I don’t know how long I’ve
been among the spirits. I don’t know anything. I’m quite a baby! Never mind, I
don’t care! I’d rather be a baby, Haloo! Whoopee!
(hears bells- runs to the window and looks out - takes a deep breath)
Scrooge: Oh glorious!! What’s today?
Child: Hunh?
Scrooge: What’s today, good child?
Child: Today? (to audience or herself) He’s a daft one, (to Scrooge) Why, it’s
Christmas Day!
Scrooge: It’s Christmas Day! I haven’t missed it! The spirits have done it all in
one night. Of course they can. They can do anything they like. Hello my fine
child!
Child: Hello
Scrooge: Do you know that Market on the next street at the corner?
Child: I should hope I do.
Scrooge: An intelligent child! A remarkable child! Do you know whether they’ve
sold the prize turkey that was hanging up there? (beat) Not the little prize
turkey, the enormous one?
Child: What, the one as big as me?
Scrooge: What a delightful child! It’s a pleasure to talk to her. Yes my girl!
Child: It’s hanging there now
Scrooge: It is? Go and buy it!
Child: Uh..right
Scrooge: No, no…I am in earnest. Go and buy it, and tell them to bring it back
here, so that I may give them directions where to take it. Come back with the
man and I’ll give you a shilling. Come back with him in less than 5 minutes and
I’ll give you half a crown!
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL~THE MUSICAL © 2005 – (Revised 2012)
(child runs off)
Scrooge: I’ll send it to Bob Cratchit; he won’t know who sent it! It’s twice the size
of Tiny Tim. I must get ready. I’m going to have dinner with my family.
(disappears behind dressing area and sings) HARK THE HAROLD ANGEL’S
SONG…OH I GOT THOSE WORDS ALL WRONG.
Narrator: He dressed himself all in his best, and at last got out into the streets.
The people were by this time pouring forth, as he had seen them with the Ghost
of Christmas Present; and walking with his hands behind him, Scrooge regarded
every one with a delighted smile. He looked so irresistibly pleasant, in a word,
that three or four good-humored fellows said, 'Good morning, sir! A merry
Christmas to you!' And Scrooge said often afterwards, that of all the cheerful
sounds he had ever heard, those were the most cheerful in his ears. He had not
gone far, when coming on towards him he beheld the two charity workers, who
had walked into his counting-house the day before
OPTIONAL CAROLING INSTEAD OF NARRATION – “JINGLE BELLS & WE
WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS”
Scrooge: My dear people, how do you do? I hope you succeeded yesterday. It
was very kind of you. Merry Christmas to you!
Mr. Carlton: Mr. Scrooge?
Scrooge: Yes, that is my name, and I fear it may not be pleasant to you. Allow me
to ask your pardon. And will you have the goodness to accept … (whispers to
them)
Ms. Anderson: Lord bless me! My dear Mr. Scrooge, are you serious.
Scrooge: If you please. And not a farthing less. A great many back payments
are included in it, I assure you. Will you do me that favor?
Mr. Carlton: My dear sir, I don’t know what to say to such a gift.
Scrooge: Don’t say anything please. Come and see me. Will you come and see
me?
Ms. Anderson: We both will
Scrooge: Thank you, I am much obliged to you. I thank you 50 times. Bless you!
(Scrooge walks up to Fred’s house, knocks on door)
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL~THE MUSICAL © 2005 – (Revised 2012)
Maid: Yes sir?
Scrooge: Is your master at home my dear?
Maid: Yes sir.
Scrooge: Where is he my dear?
Maid: He is in the sitting room…..I will show you in, if you like
Scrooge: No thank you, dear one, he knows me.
(He walks into room)
Scrooge: Fred!
Fred: Why, bless my soul, who’s that?
Scrooge: It is I, your uncle Scrooge. I have come to dinner. Will you let me in?
Abby: Of course, oh my, of course!
Scrooge: Thank you! It is so nice to meet you. (hugs them both)
Fred: Come. Into the dining room.
Narrator: Let him in? It is a mercy he didn’t shake his arm off. He felt at home in
five minutes. Nothing could be more wonderful. And his nephew’s wife was a
sweet beautiful girl as reported. The very next day, he was early in the office- he
was hoping to catch Bob Cratchit coming in late. It was the thing he had set his
heart upon, and oh yes, did he ever do it right!
Scrooge: Hello there! (growling) What do you mean by coming here at this hour
of the morning?
Cratchit: I am very sorry sir, I am late.
Scrooge: You are? Yes, I believe you are. Step this way sir, if you please.
Cratchit: It’s only once a year sir, it will not be repeated. We were making rather
merry yesterday sir and…this giant turkey showed up.
Scrooge: Now, I will tell you what my friend, I am not going to tolerate this sort
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL~THE MUSICAL © 2005 – (Revised 2012)
of thing any longer. And therefore…therefore…I am going to raise your salary.
Bob Cratchit: Sir?
Scrooge: A Merry Christmas Bob! A Merrier Christmas than I have given you in
many a year. I’ll raise your salary, and do everything in my power to assist your
struggling family. We will discuss your affairs this very afternoon.
Bob Cratchit: Thank you sir.
Scrooge: You’re welcome. Merry Christmas. Now Bob, make up the fire and buy
another coal scuttle before you dot another I.
Bob Cratchit: I will sir. But first, I saved this for you. (takes out the scarf Fred
tried to give Scrooge) I thought you might like to have it someday.
Scrooge: Thank you.
Bob Cratchit: Thank YOU sir. Merry Christmas. (they shake hands & hug)
Narrator: Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all and infinitely more.
And to Tiny Tim…who did not die, he was as a second father. He became as
good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man as the good old city ever
knew. Some people laughed to see the change in him, but he let them laugh, for
his own heart laughed, and that was enough for him. After that night, it was
always said of Ebenezer Scrooge that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if
any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that truly be said of us all.
SONG ~ THANKFUL
[Scrooge]
I AM THANKFUL TO YOUR FAMILY
FOR THERE IS MUCH YOU’VE TAUGHT ME
AND FOR ALL YOUR GENEROSITY
IT’S MORE THEN I CAN SHARE
NOW IT’S MY TURN TO HELP YOU
AND DO ALL THAT I CAN
CHRISTMAS IS MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR
AND I AM A NEW MAN
[Ghosts]
SEE, YOU’RE HAPPY NOW. WE TAUGHT YOU WELL
ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS LISTEN CLOSE
NOW YOU'VE GOT A FAMILY ALL YOUR OWN.
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A CHRISTMAS CAROL~THE MUSICAL © 2005 – (Revised 2012)
SO BE GOOD, AND BE FAIR, AND WHO KNOWS
[Cratchits & Cast]
CAN YOU SEE IT IN THEIR FACES
FULL OF LIGHT AND LOVE AND CHEER
AND THE KIND CONSIDERATION
[All]
THIS COULD ONLY MEAN ONE THING…
CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE.
Scrooge: God Bless us
Tiny Tim: God Bless us, everyone!
THE END
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