Town Crier:Sing a Song of Gladness and Cheer

The Christmas Carol

Page 1

A Christmas Carol

Prologue

Town Crier:Sing a song of gladness and cheer,

For the time of Christmas is here

Look around about you and see

What a world of wonder this world can be

Sing a Christmas Carol

Small Groups:

The first Noel the angel did say

God rest you merry gentlemen let nothing you dismay

Good Christian men rejoice

O come all ye faithful

Silent night, holy night

The first Noel

O come all ye faithful

Come ye faithful nations rise

Sing a song of gladness and cheer

Sing of gladness and cheer

For the time of Christmas is here

Is here is here

Look around, look around about you and see

Look around, look around and see

What a world of wonder this world can be

Sing a Christmas Carol

Sing a Christmas Carol like the children do

For the joy of beauty

What a Merry Christmas can bring to you.

Sing a song of Gladness and cheer

For the time of Christmas is here

Look around about you and see

What a world of wonder this world can be.

Sing of Christmas joy and beauty

That a merry Christmas can bring you, to you.

Seque before Scrooges Lines with Tom

Scrooge and Tom

Tom:Merry Christmas Mr. Scrooge.

Scrooge:Merry Christmas! My dear sir, every idiot who goes about with Merry Christmas on his lips, should be boiled in his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.

Fred:Ah, there you are uncle, a Merry Christmas and God save you.

Scrooge::Christmas, bah humbug! And tell me nephew, what right have you to be so merry, you’re poor enough.

Fred:Come now, what right have you to be dismal, you’re rich enough.

Scrooge::Very well then Fred, what good has Christmas ever done for you?

Fred:Well, It’s never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket I admit, but I’ve always thought of Christmas as a charitable time. A time of peace on earth and good will to all mankind, and so I say God bless us.

Scrooge::Bah!!

Fred:(laughing) Don’t be so angry Uncle. Come have Christmas dinner with Sally and me tomorrow.

Scrooge::Every year you extend the same invitation… and every year I decline. You keep Christmas in your own way and let me keep it in mine. Good day to you.

Fred:Very well, Merry Christmas to you uncle and to you Bob Cratchet. And a Happy New Year!!

Cratchet:Merry Christmas sir!!

Scrooge::Merry Christmas bah humbug, and what do you want (to carolers).

Carolers:We’re collecting sir, this Christmas time

from gentle folk in town

For the needy, poor in London sir,

now what shall we put down

Scrooge::(thinking) hummm, Nothing!

Carolers:You would like to be anonymous, your kindness left unknown

You would like to be anonymous.

Scrooge::I would like to be left alone.

Carolers:You would like to be left alone

We’ll call again very……

Scrooge::Go away!!!

Carolers:(Crying and sniffling as they leave) Well, I never, Ah!

Scrooge::Cratchet,

Cratchet:Yes sir.

Scrooge::You’ll be wanting tomorrow off I suppose?

Cratchet:If it’s convenient, sir.

Scrooge::It is not convenient!

Cratchet:But Mr. Scrooge sir, it’s only once a year.

Scrooge::That’s a poor excuse for picking a man’s pockets every 25th of December. (pause) O very well, but be sure you come in all the earlier the next day.

Cratchet:Yes, sir, thank you sir, good day sir. That Mr. Scrooge, he’s a rare one.

Caroler 1:He’s a cold one.

Begin Music:

Caroler 2:He’s a stingy one.

Song:You’re a Mean One Mr. Scrooge

You’re a mean one Mr. Scrooge

You really are a heel

You’re a crusty old curmudgeon

Who’s forgotten how to feel Mr. Scrooge

You’re a lonely loser with a license to steal

You’re a monster Mr. Scrooge

Your heart’s an empty hole

You only care for money

With cash at your control-Mr. Scrooge

It would appear you’ve spent your spirit

And lost your soul

You’re a tyrant (a really bad one) Mr. Scrooge (Mr. Scrooge)

And you haven’t got a clue (no one likes you)

Much adieu fiduciary

Only interest interests you. Mr. Scrooge.

I’d rather be poor, for sure, for sure,

Than regret your immoral revenue

You are the lowest Mr. Scrooge, (Mr. Scrooge)

You’re the worse of all your kind, kind, never

All your small financial figures

Every ledger every line

Mr. Scrooge (“If you keep lookin’ at ‘em long enough)

Someday they’ll make you go blind.

You’re a tight wad Mr. Scrooge (Mr. Scrooge)

Who thinks pennies are for pinchin’.

But your judgment days a comin’

Ever closer in it’s inchin’

Mr. Scrooge, Personally I find his motto “It’s better to take than to

receive”

A liable cause for lynchin’

You are a tight one, a stingy one, a miser, offensive

And, and, and parsimonious,

parsimonious, that’s a good one!

Man 1:But what does it mean

Caroler:Well, I’m not really sure, but I think its rather the same as Penurious

Oh yes, of course it is

Last Verse

You’re penurious Mr. Scrooge

You’re a louse that leaves us curious

How can one be so malicious?

Making life be so laborious

Mr. Scrooge, Mr. Scrooge, Mr. Scrooge, Mr. Scrooge

Mr. Scrooge

Scrooge::Bah humbug

I might as well head home

Nothing more to be done here what with everyone wasting time on Christmas

Bah! Humbug!

Oooo! Stomach’s queasy, must be something we ate.

Ah here we are. Now where are my keys

Curious the way that knocker shines. Yes very strange indeed

Why its Marley’s face. Impossible

Oh but it is, it’s Marley’s face.

No it isn’t, it’s just the knocker

I’d better get inside, there.

(music)

Oooh, the discomfort in my stomach must have brought on this terrible hallucination. Marley died seven years ago, seven years ago tonight in fact, and in these very chambers.

I Hear Chains

What’s that, someone’s in the house, chains, he’s dragging chains.

Marley:Oooooh, Ebenezer, Ebenezer Scrooge.

Scrooge::Who are you?

Marley:In life I was your partner Jacob Marley

Scrooge::Marley

Marley:You don’t believe in me

Scrooge::Well frankly No, no I don’t believe in you

Marley:What makes you doubt your senses?

Scrooge::Oh you’re probably just an undigested bit of beef or an underdone potato.

Marley:Potato

Scrooge::You say potato I say potato

Marley:Oooooh!

Scrooge::Ooooh! Dreadful apparition, tell me, what is that great chain you wear?

Marley:I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link and yard by yard out of my indifference to mankind.

Scrooge::Why I’ve never seen such a chain, it must be heavy.

Marley:Heavy don’t you feel the weight of your own chains

Scrooge::My chains, oh no, no, no, Jacob Marley, speak a word of comfort to me.

Marley:I have none to give. I have no rest, no peace, just incessant torture of remorse for missed opportunities in life. I am here to warn you that you might yet escape my fate.

Scrooge::Well you were always a good friend to me Jacob.

Marley:You will be visited by 3 spirits.

Scrooge:I, I, think I’d rather not, thank you.

Marley:Silence! Expect the first when the bell tolls one. Expect the second on the stroke of two, and the third when the bell tolls three.

Scrooge:Well couldn’t I take them all at once and get it over with

Marley:Without these visits you cannot hope to avoid the path I now tread. I must depart, don’t forget what I have told you. Good bye Ebenezer Scrooge.

Scrooge:Ghost, bah, its humbug why I don’t believe in ghosts beside I never liked Marley when He was alive. Ohh, I should prepare for bed. Just like Marley to drop by unannounced. I haven’t thought of him in years. Why I remember our first foreclosure together. That feeling of power, the look of shock on the families’ face, the little girl crying, ha, ha, ha, priceless. Oh, it’so cold in here, the fire’s gone out…I’d better get into bed. Oooo, ohhh, that’s the last time I’m having the liver and onions.

I’d Better Get Inside

(Tick tock, tick tock)

Scrooge:What’s that? No,

Fire in Fireplace

Spirit 1:Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha. Oh, ho, ho, ho.

Scrooge:Are you the spirit whose coming was foretold to me

Spirit 1:I am

Scrooge:Who and what are you

Spirit 1:I am the ghost of Christmas past

Scrooge:Long past

Spirit 1:No your past

Scrooge:Oh, what business brings you here?

Spirit 1:Why, your welfare Ebenezer

Scrooge:Being awakened by a ghost at 1:00 o’clock in the morning is hardly conducive to my welfare.

Spirit:Ha, ha, your redemption then.

Scrooge:Ha!

Spirit 1:Come, come with me.

Scrooge:But I was asleep! Oh, very well. I don’t think I’m going to like this.

Spirit 1:I will show you the shadows of thing which have been. They will be unaware of our presence.

Scrooge:This is my old school, it’s Christmas

Spirit 1:So you remember it?

School Bell

Scrooge:Remember it, why I could walk it blindfolded!

Spirit 1:Why didn’t you go home for Christmas?

Scrooge:I wasn’t wanted. My father turned against me after my mother passed. He sent me away…..didn’t want to see me ever again.

Spirit 1:That’s hard Ebenezer!

Scrooge:Life is hard!

Spirit 1:(waves horn) Here is another image of the past Ebenezer. Do you remember it?

Belle:Oh Ebenezer, I’ve been looking forward to the party tonight!

Scrooge:It gives me a chance to show off my beautiful fiancé.

Belle:When shall we start the wedding plans?

Scrooge:Now Belle, you know I plan to make more than just a nest egg before we begin out life together as husband and wife. We will not want for anything. You’ll see. Be patient.

Belle:I’m so happy Ebenezer. Are you?

Scrooge:This is the best Christmas I’ve ever had. I recall too many sad ones.

Belle:Only happy thoughts tonight Ebenezer!

Spirit 1:But you and Belle never married.

Scrooge:No…..I kept her waiting. She married another.

Spirit 1:Your greed saw to that.

You remember this place don’t you?

Scrooge:Yes this is old Fezziwig’s shop. I was an apprentice here. Why look there is old Fezziwig now, alive and well.

Scrooge:It’s Christmas!

Spirit 1:Do you know this place.

Scrooge:Know it, I was an apprentice here. It’s old Fezziewig, bless his heart. It’s Fezziewig alive again.

Fezziewig:Mrs. Fezziewig. My dear friend, this hall shall be filled with such happiness and contentment, the likes of which none of us have seen before.

Mrs. F.Oh, but there is only one rule. There is to be absoletyly no discussion of work this night. Anyone not exhibiting jo-o-o-oy and merriment shall be penalized by immediate dismissal from the festi-i-i-i-vities.

Fezziewig:Splendid, splendid, let the party begin.

December the 25th

Fezziewig:Of all the days in all the years

That I’m familiar with

There’s only one that’s really fun

December the 25th

Mrs. F.:Ask anyone called Robinson or Brown or James or Smith

Their favorite day and they will say

December the 25th

December the 25thmy dear December the 25th

The dearest day in all the year, December the 25th

(Dance)

December the 25th

Fezziewig:At times were glad to see the backs of all our kin and kith.

Mrs. F.And every date we celebrate.

December the 25th

At times our friends may seem to be devoid of wit and pith

Fezziewig:But all of us are humorous December the 25th

December the 25thmy dear December the 25th

The dearest day in all the year, December the 25th

(Dance) with underscore dialogue.

Mrs. F.If there’s one date in history is more than any myth.

Fezziewig:Beyond the doubt one date stands out! December the 25th

Both:I don’t know any arguments so may I say forthwith.

I wish that every day could be December the 25th

(Dance)

December the 25thmy dear December the 25th

The dearest day in all the year.

December the 25th my dear

December the 25th my dear

December the 25th.

December the 25th

Spirit 1:Oh, ho, ho, ho, ho. Why Ebenezer, you seem troubled, what’s the matter man

Scrooge:Oh nothing, nothing at all. I was just remember other images from other Christmases from long, long ago

Somewhere In My Memory

Some where in my memory

Hides the joy of Christmas

Living in my memory

All of the music, all of the magic, All of the family

Home here with me

Candles in the window

Shadows painting the ceiling

Gazing at the fire glow

Feeling that gingerbread feeling

Precious moments, special people

Happy faces, I can see…..

Somewhere in my memory

Christmas joys all around me

Living in my memory

All of the music, all of the magic, all of the family

Home here with me

Spirit forgive me, but I see something there not belonging to you, is it a foot or, or,

or, is it a claw.

Spirit 1:It might be a claw for all the flesh it has lost. (slowly pulls robe back to expose starving children.)

Scrooge:Spirit are they yours?

Spirit 1:No they are man’s. This boy is ignorance, this girl is wanting, Beware of both but most of all beware of the boy for upon his forehead I see the word which is doom. Unless the writing is erased, if you deny him, slander those who would care, fail to admit that he exists, then doom will engulf you all.

Scrooge:Are there no shelters no charities to help them?

Spirit 1:Are there no prisons, are there no work houses? These are shadow2s of things which have been. They are what they are, they are what they are, they are what they are.

Scrooge:Oh, oh, it was only a dream, a silly old sentimental dream by a silly old fool. Bah, humbug, let the past stay where it properly belongs…buried in the past, (goes back to bed)

Scrooge:Why does sleep elude me. Perhaps if I stay awake the second spirit will not come. A bit of fresh air will help. (opens window)

Spirit 2:(enters pushing cart, crosses to left, begins rooting through items)

Scrooge:You there! What are you doing? (pause) Stop that!

Spirit 2:(extends tin cup toward open window and crosses to below window)

Scrooge:(waves hands dismissively…grunts)

Spirit 2:Aaah…I’m not stealing! Unless you own this here rubbish bin!

Scrooge:Of course not. What would you possibly want with that?

Spirit 2:Well, one man’s garbage is another man’s treasure, I always say.

Scrooge:It looks worthless to me…as do you! Be gone, I tell you!

Spirit 2:As usual…your eyes deceive you…Scrooge!

Scrooge:What? Who are you? Wait there! (leaves apartment to meet the woman in the street)

Spirit 2:(exit stage)

Begin Clock 2

Scrooge:Where are you? Where have you gone? (clock strikes 2) Oh my…the clock struck 2…it is time for the second spirit to appear.

Spirit 2:Hallow! (pushes cart toward Scrooge as he backs up)

Scrooge:Who are you? How do you know my name?

Spirit 2:(crosses around Scrooge shaking cup in his face)

Scrooge:Oh…another beggar after what I have worked for. (dismisses her and crosses to walk away)

Spirit 2:Yes, better I be gone and decrease the SURPLUS population…Ebeneezer! But it is your fate that’s in my hands tonight.

Scrooge:What do you mean? What do you know of my future? (crosses past spirit) She cannot be the second spirit…

Spirit 2:I know quite a lot about you

Scrooge:Are you a medium?

Spirit 2:Well, I’m not an extra large….get it…(laugh).

Scrooge:Aaah…be gone with you foolish woman.

Spirit 2:You should watch what you say to me…

Scrooge:(turns toward her)

Spirit 2:…foolish mortal! (zaps him with wand)

Scrooge:I assure you, I am a man of highest principles and most generous spirit.

Spirit2:Generous spirit! Huh…you don’t know the meaning of that phrase. Your money has insulated you from hardship all these years. Tonight it is you in need of kindness, out in the cold…all alone.

Scrooge:Are you the 2nd spirit who Marley spoke of?

Spirit 2:You’ve never seen the likes of me before, but now you will know me better!

Scrooge:Oh, Spirit, what are your plans for me?

Spirit 2:I aim to change your point of view some, I do.

Scrooge:How do you intend to do that?

Spirit 2:I’ll start with a drink!

Scrooge:A drink?

Spirit 2:Don’t worry, your not buyin’! (cup drops) How’s that for service?

Scrooge:What is it?

Spirit 2:Don’t be difficult, drink it down.

Scrooge:(drinks…yummy sounds)

Spirit 2:What do you think?

Scrooge:It’s wonderful. I’ve never tasted anything like it! What is it?

Spirit 2:It’s the milk of huuuuuman kindness.

Scrooge:It’s the milk of what?

Spirit 2:Human kindness.