A Christmas Carol (Gaines)

by Frederick Gaines

Based on the novel by Charles Dickens

This classic Christmas tale is re-energized to include a doll toting girl, and recreate the role of Ebenezer Scrooge making him less an evil tyrant and more a gentle old man with psychological hang-ups. This interpretation of a Christmas Carol leans toward being a study of the character of Scrooge while still playing out our favorite Holiday tale of the magic of Christmas.

Regular price $12.00
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Quick Details

  • Type: Play with Holiday Carols | Can be performed with our without these carols
  • Length: 80 Minutes | Can be cut for competition
  • Availability: Available for productions worldwide
  • Cast Size: 10 female, 21 male | Doubling possible

Full Details

Cast includes:
  • First Child
  • Second Child
  • Third Child
  • Little girl with doll
  • Ebenezer Scrooge
  • Fred: Scrooge's Nephew
  • Bob Cratchit: Scrooge's Clerk
  • Gentleman visitor
  • Warder of the Poorhouse
  • Sparsit: Scrooge's servant
  • Cook
  • Charwoman
  • Jacob Marley
  • Leper
  • First Spirit: Spirit of Christmas Past
  • Jack Walton
  • Ben Benjamin
  • Child Scrooge
  • Fan: Scrooge's sister
  • Fezziwig
  • Dick Wilkins
  • Young Ebenezer
  • Sweetheart of Young Ebenezer
  • Second Spirit: Spirit of Christmas Present
  • Mrs. Cratchit
  • Several Cratchit children
  • Tiny Tim
  • Hunger and Ignorance: the beggar children
  • Pawnbroker
  • Third Spirit: Spirit of Christmas yet to come
  • Butcher
  • Coachman

Ensemble roles include:
  • Residents of the poorhouse, carolers, families, dancers, etc.

Looking for a performance license for a K-12 school? This title is available as a PlayKit! Explore more here!

The following resources are included in each performance license:
  • Permission to photocopy the PDF script for your production so there is no additional cost for these assets.

The following resources may be added to you license for an additional fee:
  • Logo/Media package

Frederick Gaines

The plays of Frederick Gaines have been performed in regional theatres across the country, including Theatre of the First Amendment (CELLOPHANE XEROX), Baltimore's Center Stage (A TEMPORARY PLACE), the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock (SAINT JOAN, A WRINKLE IN TIME), the Children?s Theatre Company of Minneapolis (many plays and adaptations including KING ARTHUR, THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW, A CIRCLE IS THE SUN, JERUSALEM and OLIVER TWIST), Florida's Asolo Repertory Theater (DRACULA, THE ALCHEMIST), the Guthrie Theater (THE STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER, performed in a regional touring production and THE GHOST DANCER, performed at the Guthrie Other Place) and New York's Ellen Stewart Theater (THE HOUSE OF LEATHER) and Theatre de Lys (WILDE!). He has been awarded the Fulbright, McKnight, OADR, Eugene O'Neill, National Endowment for the Arts and Guggenheim Fellowships. He has had written several opera librettos (MICHELANGELO, UNBEKANNT, AN IMAGINARY LINE) for the American composer Brooke Joyce. His most recent play, HANDS ACROSS THE SEA, was written for production in French by the Theatre Club of the Notre Dame Lycee in Cahors, France. He is recently retired from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin but continues to teach as a volunteer in the Outagamie County Jail, the Oneida Reservation, Renaissance School for the Arts and Central High School, all in Northeast Wisconsin. Frederick Gaines passed away in April 2010.

Originally produced by Children's Theatre Company in the 68-69 season.