Wurtele Thrust Stage / Nov 14 Dec 30, 2017

A Christmas
Carol
by CHARLES DICKENS
adapted by CRISPIN WHITTELL
directed by LAUREN KEATING

PLAY GUIDE
Inside
THE PLAY
Synopsis 3
Characters 4

THE STORY
This Ghostly Little Book 5

PLAY FEATURE
Charles Dickens Plea for the Poor 6,7

THE PLAYWRIGHT
Dickens and the Christmas Tradition 8,9

BUILDING THE PRODUCTION

From the Director: Lauren Keating 10,11
From the Composer: Keith Thomas 12
From the Costume Designer: Matthew J. LeFebvre 12,13
From the Playwright/Adaptor: Crispin Whittell 14
From the Props Master: Patricia Olive 15,16

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Discussion Questions and Classroom Activities 17 - 19
For Further Information 20 - 21

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Guthrie Theater Play Guide

Copyright 2017

DRAMATURG Jo Holcomb
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Akemi Graves
RESEARCH Jo Holcomb and Carla Steen

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2 \ GUTHRIE THEATER
 THE PLAY

Synopsis
toast nonetheless, grateful for
what he has.

The scene shifts to his nephew

Freds, and we see simultaneously
how the other (richer) half live and
that Fred, too, knows how to keep
Christmas with friends and family.
Generously, Fred proposes a toast
to his uncle as well, hoping that
Scrooge will find some happiness
in life. Games abound, food is
PHOTO: DAN NORMAN
The cast of A Christmas Carol in rehearsal plentiful and a good time is had by
all. Scrooge begins to wonder if he
Scrooge, a miserly and miserable and the Ghost of Christmas Past is truly missing something special.
old man, torments everyone appears. Together they journey Before the spirit leaves him, he
he sees on most days, but is back to Scrooges sad school days, reveals two small, sick children
especially cranky on Christmas. He his delight at seeing his sister Ignorance and Want and
shouts at carolers, refuses to give Fanny, and to a grand Christmas Scrooge, moved, inquires if they
money to charity and threatens party thrown by his early have no place to stay. The spirit
a small beggar boy. His ebullient employer, Old Fezziwig. Scrooge throws Scrooges words back in
nephew Fred comes to visit him begins to realize that Fezziwigs his face: Are there no prisons? Are
at his frigid office to invite him joy was infectious, that it spread there no workhouses? Christmas
to Christmas dinner. Scrooge, to all his employees, and that this Present, too, fades away.
predictably, declines. Fred leaves, joy is worth more than whatever
and Scrooge grudgingly agrees the party cost him. We also see The next visit, from Christmas
to give his clerk, Bob Cratchit, Scrooge woo, and then lose, the Future, shows Scrooge his fate
Christmas off with pay, though beautiful Belle. The ghost tells if he does not mend his ways.
Scrooge feels ill used by this. Scrooge, I show you only what is Poor Tiny Tim has died; as has
Cratchit leaves. When approached good, and fine, and beautiful. So Scrooge. At Tims funeral are
by his faithful housekeeper, Mrs. that should you glimpse it again many grief-stricken people;
Dilber, for the same benefit, he as you glimpsed it once you will Scrooge has not a single mourner.
refuses and demands that she grasp it as if your life depends on Mrs. Dilber begins to sell off his
be at work the next day. Scrooge it. As quickly as she arrived, the possessions, and Scrooge realizes
closes shop and changes into his ghost is gone, leaving Scrooge that he must mend his ways or
dressinggown. alone again in his bed. he will simply die forgotten and
unloved. The transformation of
Settling in for the night, Scrooge Scrooge is soon visited again by Scrooge is profound: he awakens
is disturbed and alarmed by the Ghost of Christmas Present. to Christmas bells, gives money
the ghost of his old partner, Jacob The ghost takes Scrooge to to charity, sends a huge turkey
Marley. Marley warns him to mend see how the Cratchits celebrate to the Cratchits, sings along with
his ways or he too will be forced Christmas. Though they are poor the carolers, and gives Bob a big
to roam the earth in the chains he and have little to eat, they are raise. He even reconciles with
forged for himself with his cruel happy with what they have and his nephew. Scrooges story of
ways. Scrooge will be visited by to be in each others company. redemption, beloved by audiences
three spirits, Marley tells him. Scrooge also learns that Tiny Tim, for years, remains as powerful
He would do best to listen to Bobs wise young son, is very ill and uplifting as it ever was. From
what they have to say. No sooner and will likely die without proper that point forward, were told, no
has Marley left than the clocks care. Despite how poorly Scrooge one kept Christmas as faithfully or
in Scrooges house go berserk treats him, Cratchit offers him a fruitfully as old Ebenezer Scrooge.

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 THE PLAY

Characters

PHOTO: DAN NORMAN

The cast of A Christmas Carol in rehearsal

SETTING
London, December 2425, 1843

CHARACTERS
Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly Ghost of Christmas Future Dick Wilkins, a fellow clerk at
businessman Ignorance and Want Fezziwigs
Bob Cratchit, his clerk Youngest Scrooge, Ebenezer Belle, Scrooges former fiance
Mrs. Cratchit, his wife Scrooge as a schoolboy Belles Husband
Martha, Peter, Belinda and Tiny Fanny, Scrooges older sister Mr. Wimple, Scrooges tenant
Tim, their children Mr. Fezziwig, Scrooges former Mrs. Dilber, Scrooges
Fred, Scrooges nephew employer housekeeper
Kitty, Freds wife Mrs. Fezziwig, his wife Old Joe, a junk salesman
Mrs. Polkinghorne, Kittys mother Daisy, Dora and Deirdre Scrooges Priest
Jane, Sally and Mabel, Fezziwig, their daughters Bunty and Bumble, taking a
Kittys sisters Daniel, David and Donald, collection for the poor
Topper, a suitor to Sally suitors to the Fezziwig daughters Various carolers, revelers,
Jacob Marley, the ghost of Young Scrooge, Ebenezer children, Fezziwig guests,
Scrooges old Scrooge as a young man citizens of London
business partner Young Marley, Jacob Marley as a
Ghost of Christmas Past young man

Ghost of Christmas Present

4 \ GUTHRIE THEATER
 THE STORY

This Ghostly Little Book

comments on A Christmas Carol

be kindness, benevolence, charity,

mercy, and forbearance, or its
plum pudding would turn to stone
and its roast beef be indigestible.

John Forster
The Life of Charles Dickens, 1874

The narrow space within which it

was necessary to confine these
Christmas Stories, when they were
originally published, rendered their
construction a matter of some
difficulty, and almost necessitated
what is peculiar in their machinery.
I never attempted great elaboration
of detail in the working out of
character within such limits,
believing that it could not succeed.
My purpose was, in a whimsical
kind of masque which the good-
humour of the season justified, to
awaken some loving and forbearing
thoughts, never out of season in a
I have endeavored in [A Christmas Carol] is a national
Christianland.
benefit, and to every man and
this Ghostly little book,
woman who reads it a personal Charles Dickens
to raise the Ghost of an kindness. Preface to a collection of his Christmas
Idea, which shall not Stories published in 1852
William Makepeace Thackery
put my readers out of
Frasers Magazine, February 1844
humour with themselves,
with each other, with There was indeed nobody that had
the season, or with me. not some interest in the message
of the Christmas Carol. It told
May it haunt their houses the selfish man to rid himself of
pleasantly, and no one selfishness; the just man to make
wish to lay it! himself generous; and the good-
natured man to enlarge the sphere
of his good nature. Its cheery voice
Their faithful friend and servant, C.D. of faith and hope, ringing from
one end of the island to the other,
Charles Dickens carried pleasant warning alike to
A Christmas Carol, December1843 all, that if the duties of Christmas
were wanting, no good could (Top) Image of A Christmas Carol,
come of its outward observances; first edition, 1843
that it must shine upon the hearth (Above) A boy dressed as a ghost upsets a
and warm it, and into the sorrowful gathering of friends. Print by John Massey
Wright, 1814, part of the British Cartoon
heart and comfort it; that it must Prints Collection

GUTHRIE THEATER \ 5
 PLAY FEATURE

Charles Dickens
Plea for the Poor
by Jo Holcomb
Production Dramaturg

Over the years, Charles Dickens has often been credited

as the man who invented Christmas (F.G. Kitton, 1903).
But while Dickens Christmas stories, certainly the most
beloved of which remains A Christmas Carol, helped to
change the celebration of Christmas, it was not the authors
original intent. Charles Dickens was first and foremost a
political writer and a reformer. The experiences of his own
life led him to recognize the serious need for reforms that
would provide more comprehensive care for the poor and
particularly the children of poverty.

As a child, Dickens had experienced reflect that memory, whether kind. Of those who did receive
the fear and uncertainty of his through the hard road of Oliver education, some attended schools
familys diminishing resources. Twist or the autobiographical run by private owners for the
When his father was sent to the David Copperfield. By the year of purpose of making a profit; these
workhouse for not being able to the writing of Carol, 1843, child were called ragged schools.
meet his debts, the rest of the labor in Great Britain had reached Ragged schools were charity
family joined him there, with the a critical point. Children who institutions created to provide
exception of 12-year-old Charles, did not attend school worked. a rudimentary education for
who was left on his own to make They worked in factories, mines, destitute children.
his keep in a blacking factory. It shipyards, construction or any
was grueling work and his losses number of menial jobs. Many Leading up to the writing of
were great. To Dickens, the most children worked from the age of A Christmas Carol, Dickens was
severe loss was his inability to 3 years and in some of the most particularly struck by two factors
continue serious education. dangerous places. Life expectancy directly related to the treatment
for these young laborers was no of poor children. Earlier in 1843, he
As an adult, having pulled himself older than mid-20s. had read a government report on
out of the mire of poverty, he child labor whose statistics were
never forgot the experience and In the mid-19th century, well over supported by interviews with child
in many ways continued to be 100,000 children in London had workers themselves. The report
damaged by it. His writing would never attended a school of any revealed that girls were sewing

6 \ GUTHRIE THEATER
 DICKENS DREAM, ROBERT WILLIAM BUSS, 1875

for a new market of the middle made the visit on behalf of

class, working on average 16 a potential donor and was SCROOGE
Spirit, is there a particular flavor you
hours a day and, like the character sickened by what he called the
sprinkle upon them?
Martha Cratchit, they were housed atmosphere of taint and dirt
above the factory floor. There and pestilence. At this point, CHRISTMAS PRESENT
was news of 8-year-old children Dickens decided to turn his There is.
who dragged coal carts through political pamphlet into a story.
underground tunnels for 11 hours In October 1843, he began SCROOGE
Would it apply to any kind of dinner
a day. These stories represented a work on A Christmas Carol
on this day?
norm, not an exception. and finished it in six weeks.
He wrote about the living and CHRISTMAS PRESENT
In the spring of 1843, in response, educational situations of poor To any kindly given. But to a poor
Dickens began work on a pamphlet children as well as the general one most.
called An Appeal to the People conditions of the destitute,
SCROOGE
of England on behalf of the Poor all of which he contrasted
Why to a poor one most?
Mans Child. with the grasping Scrooge
and the need not only for CHRISTMAS PRESENT
A visit to the Field Lane ragged Scrooges reclamation, but also Because it needs it most.
school further incited Dickens for a change of heart for the Crispin Whittell, A Christmas Carol

to take action with his pen. He whole population.

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 THE PLAYWRIGHT

Dickens and the

Christmas Tradition

Dickens Christmas
Carol has become
such an essential part
of Christmas that we
can hardly imagine
the holiday season
without it.

Theodore and Caroline Hewitson,

A Chronicle of Dickens Christmas
Carol, 1951

Theater, like the Holiday season, This section is designed to explore mixture of North American
is laden with traditions. Everyone Holiday traditions and invite you to commercialism. But it was not
knows never to utter the word come and take part, once again, in always this way, and Dickens is
Macbeth in a theater; never to the living tradition of the Guthries largely responsible for the festive,
wish an actor good luck but presentation of A Christmas Carol. family oriented celebration we
rather to break a leg; and to know today.
always keep the ghost light on.
Similarly, the Holiday season brings It is often said that Dickens There is no date given in the
with it many well-established invented modern Christmas. Christian Bible for the birth of
traditions: trips to visit Santa at While this may be a slight Jesus, but beginning in late
an insanely crowded mall; the exaggeration, it is no exaggeration antiquity and continuing through
decoration of Christmas trees and to suggest that he radically shaped the Middle Ages, the Feast of the
the hanging of mistletoe; huge and continues to shape the way Nativity was usually celebrated on
dinners of turkey or ham; Midnight we celebrate Christmas today. December 25. In the early Middle
Mass; or Chinese dinner and a Ages Advent was a time of general
movie. Our historical Christmas origin merriment: harvest festivals,
tale is generally well-known: feasting and revelry began on the
Since 1975, the Guthries annual Christian belief mixed in with the Feast of St. Martin de Tours on
production of A Christmas Carol Roman traditions of Saturnalia, November 11 and lasted for forty
has been a Minnesota tradition the Scandinavian Yule traditions days. When Charlemagne was
both for audiences and artists alike. of feasting and merriment and crowned Holy Roman Emperor on
This tradition, like the theater itself, a mixture of northern European Christmas Day 800 A.D., the actual
is living and organic. cuisines combined with a heady celebration on December 25 gained

8 \ GUTHRIE THEATER
 THE PLAYWRIGHT

greater prominence so that by the later Middle Ages, Christmas

was the dominant feast of winter.

Christmas in the Middle Ages was a very public affair:

communities celebrated together and it was a time to solidify
relationships through gift-giving. Employers and servants
would exchange small gifts, as would landlords and tenants.
On occasion, a manorial lord might give his manor the gift of CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
a feast or some ale. All people of means would give alms to AROUND THE WORLD
the poor. In England, where A Christmas Carol takes place,
Christmas became a widely celebrated party with lots of food, Did you know that
wine, dancing, and card-playing.
in Sweden, Christmas Eve is often called
Following the Protestant Reformation, the Puritans in England Dipping Day from a tradition in which
sought to eliminate the celebration of Christmas; since it had families gather in the kitchen to soak the
no Biblical basis they viewed it as a Catholic invention and juices of their Christmas meat with rye
decried the lax morality of drinking and dancing to celebrate bread?
the Nativity. Following the English Civil War (16421651)
the Puritans effectively banned Christmas in 1647; the ban in Iran, Christians call Christmas the Little
remained in effect throughout the Commonwealth and Feast and celebrate Easter as the largest
Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell. Christmas became legal again religious celebration of the year?
with the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, but celebration
remained sparse, and even church services for Christmas were the ceremonial main course of a
relatively poorly attended until the early nineteenth century. medieval Christmas feast was a boars
head, and that this tradition persists
Thus by the time Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol, Christmas today at Queens College, Oxford?
was a fairly subdued affair. It was neither the community
festival of the Middle Ages nor the important religious in Oaxaca, Mexico, December 23 is
celebration of late antiquity nor the ribald celebration of the celebrated as the Night of the Radishes,
seventeenth century. But the tide was turning. The Royal Family and that as part of the festivities, large
began decorating and displaying Christmas trees borrowed radishes are carved into the characters of
from their German heritage and Christmas dinners became the Nativity story?
more elaborate, and common. So when Dickens proclaims
that Christmas is a good time: a kind, forgiving, charitable, on Christmas Eve, the President of Estonia
pleasant time, he is hearkening back to a well-established declares an annual Christmas Peace?
tradition of merriment, charity and reverence, combining
aspects of Christmases past. Dickens focuses his holiday in Finland, Children receive gifts from
not in the commons but at the family hearth it becomes Joulupukki, the Christmasgoat?
a personal celebration and a time for reflection as well as
celebration. Dickens both reflects his societys views about in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany,
the importance of hearth and home as well as projects his and others, Saint Nicholas visits good
own social conscience into Christmas. Dickens Christmas is little children on December 6 each year to
not solely inward looking, portraying an idealized scene of leave goodies in their shoes?
Victorian domesticity; it also requires that each person admit
that Mankind is his business it is an opportunity to make in China, Christians celebrate Christmas
the world a better place. For Scrooge, perhaps Dickens most by decorating trees and having a large
famous invention, Christmas is an opportunity for rebirth. No family meal, but gifts are exchanged
doubt Dickens hoped Scrooge would be an example to all: to at the Chinese New Year celebration in
keep Christmas in ones heart, always, and not to shut out the January or February, accompanied by
wisdom the season offers us. massive displays of fireworks?

Matt McGeachy This piece was adapted from the 2006 program for A
Christmas Carol at the Guthrie.
written for the 2010 play guide for A Christmas Carol.

GUTHRIE THEATER \ 9
 BUILDING THE PRODUCTION

10 \ GUTHRIE THEATER
 FROM THE DIRECTOR:
Lauren Keating
I truly cant think of a better way to have spent the past month than
in the world and spirit of A Christmas Carol. Its an honor to helm
this production, to be trusted with this tradition, and to work with
the all-star Guthrie team and this all-Twin Cities acting company.

Im a self-confessed A Christmas The magic of Carol is something Ive

Carol nerd, and I grew up with a lot of always appreciated. I feel like it bonds
Christmas traditions. My family would families, creates memories and makes
go to Carol every year at the McCarter community. We as theater makers have
Theatre in New Jersey. And that would the power to create this safe space,
always be around the same time we to hold this space in the middle where
would go cut down our Christmas you can bring your family any of your
tree. I grew up in a very rural part of family members no matter their points
New Jersey, and we would get our of view and you can have this shared
saw, we would get our sled, and we experience. That is truly the most
would trudge down the hill to this tree powerful and meaningful work that
farm every year. The man who owned we do.
the farm was always very jolly and
very welcoming, and my dad referred So when Joe Haj asked me if Id be
to him as Mr. Fezziwig. I thought it interested in directing A Christmas
was so cool that Mr. Fezziwig from A Carol, I was deeply honored and
Christmas Carol was selling us a tree. jumped at the opportunity. And then,
It was maybe around age 12 when like with anything I direct, I started
I was extremely disappointed and thinking, Why now? What is the
devastated to learn that this was not in artistic imperative with this show?
fact the Mr. Fezziwig. I was talking to And it didnt take long for me to
my mom about it recently, reminiscing, answer those questions. If you listen to
and I asked her what our Mr. Fezziwig the news or scroll through Facebook,
of the Tree Farms real name was. you can plainly see the reason. Our
Nobody knows! community and our world need this
story. Its the story of healing, of
I share all that to say: There literally redemption, of transformation. We
isnt a single production that I could need it more than ever. We need to
direct for which my family would be remember our common humanity and
more proud or excited than this one. celebrate it.
PHOTO: DAN NORMAN

GUTHRIE THEATER \ 11
 BUILDING THE PRODUCTION

original music for a production, Q: What made you want to

a director gets to work with that become a composer and, for
composer to specifically enhance students interested in the arts,
whats going on in the play, instead what advice do you have on
of having to finding pre-existing getting started?
songs to meet the same end. KT: I started out as an actor. I
went to school for acting, and I
Q: What was your artistic process acted professionally for 10 years.
in terms of composing the music During that time, I would compose
for Carol? music on the side, and eventually I
KT: Everything comes from the decided to do music full-time. Since
script. Ill read through the new I knew the people in the theatre

Keith adaption of the script and mark

places where I think there could
community, I began composing
music for plays. It took some

Thomas be some music, and I also mark

where the mood or tone changes,
time for my colleagues to wrap
their brains around me being a
places where I think I could support composer instead of an actor, but
Composer for a moment with some music. I go eventually, I stopped acting entirely
A Christmas Carol through the entire script making and said, No, I dont act anymore.
all my notes, and then I meet with Im a composer. Take me seriously
the director, Joe Chvala. At this as a composer. Eventually people
Q: Not every production has meeting we compare our notes, did. If you love creating music, just
music or a composer. How do you and hopefully we agree on where keep making it. By following my
feel the music and the choice to there is music and how that music passion, I totally changed careers
include a composer in the artistic should sound and feel. I always try at 40 years old.
process adds to A Christmas Carol? to get myself into the mindset of
Keith Thomas: Well, when you the director in order to support his
have artists dedicated to creating or her vision.

Q: What artistic choices did you Representing this distinction of

make to support the concept of A class is a big theme in many of
Christmas Carol? Dickens stories and novels, and is
Mathew J. LeFebvre: When first really apparent in the costuming
approaching the design, the of the Cratchit family, who are
director and I were really looking at barely making ends meet. It is
a number of different worlds. There really important to the telling of
is the London of present Scrooge, the story to show their poverty in
the world of his past memories their clothes, so every article of
and finally theres the world of clothing they wear is really worn

Matthew J.
his future. With the costumes and has been mended over and
we also wanted to represent the over and over again. I hope the

LeFebvre
different class and economic audience empathizes with them,
structures within the London of and the clothing helps us to do that
Scrooge, especially the difference because it feels a little bit more
Costume Designer between the upper class and those concrete and real, not cartoony.
individuals who are poor and
for A Christmas Carol destitute. In contrast, the first big scene
taking place in Scooges past is

12 \ GUTHRIE THEATER
 BUILDING THE PRODUCTION

the Fezziwig party where we see Each one presents a different design specifically?
Scrooge as a young man, before challenge. For example, the main ML: I took a roundabout path to
he changes into his present miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (or present designing costumes. Like many
self. We see him fall in love, but we Scrooge) costume needed to be others, I started out in theater
also see him begin to change and texturally rich. To achieve that, training to be an actor. While
become more and more concerned we carefully selected fabrics that pursuing my theater degree in
with money. Since the scene spans have amazing texture and then college, I was required to take a
several decades of Scrooges life, concentrated on making those number of design courses. Ive
we hoped to show the progression into a extremely well-tailored suit. always liked to draw, so when I took
of, not only time, but also of Another example is Mrs. Cratchits a costume design class, it really
Scrooges character. Practically costume, which is fairly simple clicked that I should transition
speaking, each of Fezziwigs parties and pragmatic. However, there is from being on stage to behind
involves a lot of dancing, and the such a sense of wear, as well as a the scenes. And I believe my actor
costumes are very colorful and functional quality about it. Even training makes me a stronger
bright to reflect the festive mood. though her costuming reflects costume designer because I do
It really is a stark contrast to the her impoverished circumstances, think about the costumes as being
London of the older Scrooge we theres something really beautiful in an extension of the character. I
see later in the play, with his dark its spare simplicity. recommend that anybody who is
and muted colors. interested, specifically in theatrical
Q: What excited you most about costume design, should take some
In each of these time periods, the designing process and this acting classes. I think its important
texture plays a big role in my production in general? that a designer understands
designs, such as the ragged ML: Well, its such an amazing what its like to wear a costume
clothing of the poor Londoners story. Theres a reason why so on stage and how that costume
or the richer fabrics of the upper many theater companies produce supports the work that the actor
class characters. Texture helps the this story every year. Its really does. Its also important to see
audience feel and understand the an uplifting story, and it renews a lot of theater. Seek out a wide
lives of these characters without our faith in humanity. Its also a range of performance aesthetics.
having to know their full history. really great challenge, for no other Its sometimes a difficult career
reason than the sheer number of to make a living in, but being able
Q Is there a character you had the costumes and the several decades to design for a wide variety of
most fun designing? represented in the play. The play theater and performance styles
ML: This show in particular has has costumes that are very stark helps with that. I learned probably
many characters, and is very and spare, and also has costumes as much, if not more, about design
demanding in terms of the that are lush and vibrant. To be able by watching other productions and
number of costumes needed. With to do all of those in one production seeing how other designers solve
this particular production and is great. challenges than I did from sitting in
adaptation, we started a number The Guthrie is one of my favorite a classroom.
of years ago with the intent of theaters to work with because the
creating the costume designs in costume technicians who are
phases, focusing on different parts called drapers and tailors and the
of the play, one at a time, and then crafts people, and the wig people
over the next several years adding are of some of the best in the field.
new costumes in phases. As you Theyre some of the most skilled
may have guessed, that is a much that Ive ever worked with, and I
different process than designing am always excited about how my
costumes for a show that is only designs will look in their capable
produced once and then goes hands.
away.
Q: What led you to becoming
The costumes are really like a costume designer, and what
my children, so I hesitate to advice do you have for students
say which one is my favorite. interested in the arts and costume

GUTHRIE THEATER \ 13
 Crispin Whittell
Playwright/Adaptor
of A Christmas Carol

Q: How do you feel the message It needs to change, if possible, each play when I was about 11 or 12 years
gained from A Christmas Carol is year just because its a strange old, in school. After being an actor
still relevant today? show to try and keep fresh. Really, I starting directing, but I continued
Crispin Whittell: Oh my goodness! the start of this adaptation came to write. So when I started
Its one of the great, great, great, when former Guthrie Artistic directing, I thought, Why would I
stories. Its so completely relevant Director Joe Dowling asked me if I direct plays that people have done
that its kind of hard to know where would you write a new A Christmas before? I may as well write them
to begin. Its relevant because Carol. from scratch. Writing words that
there are still people who think The previous version used by come out of other peoples mouths
that money is the most important the Guthrie has a narrator, and I is not something that I learned; its
thing in life. Recently moving back thought that I didnt want to have a just something I could always do.
to England got me to think about narrator. I wanted the piece to feel
what A Christmas Carol would look like a play instead of a story being Q: How would you encourage
like in London in 2016. Witnessing told to the audience. To begin the students to get started in
the way Britain and America right play, I thought of Tiny Tim, or a tiny playwriting?
now are reacting to who Dickens voice in the middle of an enormous CW: Just do it. Theres a fantastic
called the other. As long as there stage. Then I just kept going from Fringe Festival in Minneapolis! If I
are people who are less fortunate there. Each year, I think the play were in Minneapolis and I were 18,
than the Scrooges of this world, becomes closer to Dickens original thats what I would be doing. Id
and as long as people chase after novella. And something you might write and Id direct a Fringe show
money believing it to be the be all not know unless you are English every year, and Id make it as good
and the end all, these issues will is that we arent afraid to mess as it could possibly bealso, Id try
be staring us in the face. So, yes, I about with Shakespeare and even to make it funny, not too long, and
was thinking, How would one do Dickens. In my opinion, the British not boring. Thats what Id do. Just
a modern version of Carol? Well, feel that Dickens reputation is do it.
Tiny Tim would be Syrian or Iraqi solid, so we dont feel squeamish
and Scrooge wouldnt be the old about messing with his stories.
man with a bent back and a candle. Dickens is one of the greatest
Hed be working on Wall Street or people in history, but I didnt go
in the city. into adapting his story thinking that
I have to show reverence to him.
Q: What inspired you to create this I wanted it to be un-boring, alive,
specific adaptation? funny and be modern in feel. Its an
CW: Well, this adaptation has now important show for the Guthrie to
gone on quite a journey. This is the try and get as right as possible for
sixth year of this adaptation being the families who come and see it.
produced at the Guthrie, and Ive
written sort of a new version each Q: What made you become a
time. I think its great that that playwright?
happens and its essential for a CW: I think I was always going to
story and production like this one. be a playwright. I wrote my first

14 \ GUTHRIE THEATER
 Patricia Olive
Props Master
for A Christmas Carol

Q: What was your favorite prop We also hold to something called the other, and it can take an hour
to create for this production and the 10-Foot and Squint Rule. This or many days to prepare a prop for
why? rule helps us to better understand the stage; it just depends.
Patricia Olive: Sometimes its just what the audience will see, since
the little things. The kids have coins most of the time we build the Q: Does this show have any magic
in a tin cup. Well, the coins are props so close to our faces that moments, and how do they work?
naturally going to fall out, theyre we see every minute detail in that PO: We do have one. Its one that
going to get lost, and its going prop. To see what the audience will our actor playing Scrooge, JC
to be a problem. So, what can we experience, we set the prop down, Cutler, happens to really like. Its
do to avoid that? So it could be a take a few steps back (usually actually a simple thing: a puff of
prop challenge that small. A lot of about 10 feet) and squint our eyes air is pushed through a hole in
what I love is the set decorating just slightly to see what it looks like. Scrooges counting table, which
for Scrooges house and all of the This prevents us from obsessing magically blows some papers up
shops. If people ever have a chance over any one prop. into the air. This trick is all about
to really look into the shops they making sure that the air gets to
will see how much detail there Q: On average, how long does it where it needs to go and also
really is, like all of the baked goods take to make a prop? making sure that the papers are
in the bakery shop. The pawn shop PO: It varies. It could take an hour in the right spot on the table. This
was fun, too. Creating that level of to come up with a prop made with effect helps portray a moment
detail is actually my favorite part. paper and a pen. Or, it could take when Scrooge senses his former
multiple hours to quilt a comforter. partner Marleys ghostly presence.
In A Christmas Carol, Scrooges Its just something super simple,
Q: How do you decide how much quilt on his bed was handmade just a poof of air, but we have to
detail is relevant for such a large from different pieces of fabric, make sure that its the right amount
stage? which was all done in our prop of pressure to set the right tone.
PO: That is a topic we spend a lot shop. We also make a lot of our We dont want it to be a comical
of time talking about in preparation own furniture, a task that typically moment. Its a mystery moment,
for A Christmas Carol. Not only do takes multiple people. For example, and probably my favorite one in the
we have to come up with a way one person will build the furnitures show.
to tell the audience what needs to framework while somebody else
be told, but we also need to listen upholsters the piece. Props like Q: How did you get into props and,
very carefully to what the director Scrooges bed were made from for students interested in pursuing
and the designers want. We then scratch, and then we have people the arts, specifically props, what is
pull all those things together. And who purchase other pieces of your advice for getting started?
sometimes, just for extra measure, furniture, either at yard sales or PO: I did high school theater,
we sneak things into the set that at antique shops. For a different where I thought I wanted to be
we like, too. We strive to be as production, we made a full size onstage. Then I was talked into
realistic as possible so that we Rolls Royce in our shop, which took doing props for a couple of shows,
dont distract the audience. We 12 people and a lot more time then which I really enjoyed. Since I
want to make sure that the props it took to complete Scrooges bed. was mostly interested in auto
actually help tell the story. We tend to go from one extreme to mechanics and woodworking in

GUTHRIE THEATER \ 15
college, I was studying to be a can use a hammer, but if you can
shop teacher. After school, I taught weld, that will put you at the top
industrial education, or shop class, of everybodys hiring list. Also, find
for nine years. On top of being somebody to be your mentor, even
a school teacher, I was required as early as high school. Your high
to participate in an outside school drama teacher probably
extracurricular activity. I was knows people in your local theater
assigned to build the scenery for a community. Finally, any time that
school play. From there I just stuck you can get into a theater and do
with theater, working summer stock whatever you can to learn about
because I had the summers off. the process, you put yourself a
Then a mentor of mine convinced step-and-a-half ahead of others
me to do something I didnt even even before you get to college.
know was possible, which was quit
teaching and pursue a career in
prop making full time. And thats
been my career for the past 35
years.

If you like to do crafty things,

or if you like to go to yard sales
and thrift stores, or if you love
making things into other things,
then you have the basic skills for
props making. At the Guthrie, our
props people can do fine wood
and metalworking. They also weld,
sew and upholster. If students are
interested in technical theater, my
advice to them is: its great that you

Props from A Christmas Carol

16 \ GUTHRIE THEATER
 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Discussion Questions and

Classroom Activities
THE ROLE OF THE NARRATOR SOCIAL STUDIES / HISTORY MARLEYS CURSE
Discussion Questions: The role Classroom Activity: Much of According to the story, Marley is
of the narrator is important to Charles Dickens work is focused condemned to walk the earth.
this adaptation of A Christmas on 19th century England and Why do you think this is his
Carol. Which characters serve as disparities between the classes. punishment? For what deeds or
narrators in this production? How Select a topic from below and omissions is he being punished?
do the narrators propel the action research it through the lens of 19th Do you believe the chains that
of the play? Do you feel like the century England and how the topic he wears are a metaphor? If so,
narrator is talking directly to you relates to A Christmas Carol. Then what do they represent, and how
when speaking? How does this report back to the class to paint is this metaphor central to the
differ from how characters usually a more complete picture of the storys plot? What do you believe is
interact on stage? setting for the play. implied by the multitude of fettered
spirits that accompany Marleys
Classroom Activity: Select a book Labor laws ghost?
or story that you know well. If you (especially child labor laws)
were retelling this story in the Ghosts and ghost stories SCROOGE AND CRATCHIT
role of narrator, what would you English royalty How would you describe the
include? What would you leave Homelessness relationship between Scrooge and
out? Create the role of narrator for Clothing Bob Cratchit at the beginning of
this story and, using a selection Crime the story? Do you think that their
of the book or story you chose, Religion employer/employee relationship is
narrate that section for your peers. Music and Songs representative of 19th century labor
Women in Society laws and customs? Why or why
THEMES AND IDEAS Industrial Revolution not? Do you think their relationship
Discussion Questions: What do Slavery would be typical today? What has
you believe is the central theme, or Printing / Publication changed, if anything, between
main idea, of A Christmas Carol? Satire employers and employees as well
Where in the play is the theme Science / Evolution as with labor laws?
most obvious? Which characters Colonialism
help to express the theme of the Other Writers of the Era (Bronte, HUMBUG!
play? Do you believe this play has Carroll, Conrad, Kipling, Thackeray, What does the word humbug
a moral? If so, what do you believe etc.) mean? What words are the modern
it is? Can you think of examples of day equivalent of humbug?
other books, movies, stories, songs Thinking back on the play,
or other works of art that have a GENERAL TOPICS what aspects of the Christmas
similar theme? celebrations does Scrooge call
COMEDY VS. TRAGEDY humbug? When is the first time
If you are familiar with other Do you believe that A Christmas in his life that Scrooge uses the
works by Charles Dickens, can you Carol is a comedy or a tragedy? term? Why do you think Scrooge
find similar themes in his other What do each of these has such a dour outlook on these
works? How does Dickens utilize classifications mean to you? What celebrations? What events led to
character, plot, subject matter, and aspects of the story are comic? his feelings about Christmas? Are
narrative style to express these Which are tragic? Which do you there any aspects of the holiday
ideas and themes? Are there other feel is most effective in A Christmas season that you believe are
artists who come to mind that are Carol? How does one support the humbug? Explain.
concerned with the same themes other in the telling of the story?
as Charles Dickens?
 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

NATURE VS. NURTURE Can you think of an example of through theatrical means either
For centuries, philosophers and art you have experienced that has as additional dialogue, lighting or
scientists have tackled the question made you think or feel differently setting instructions, movement,
of whether humans are born with about yourself or some aspect of music or any other element they
instincts that define their conduct the world? choose. Finally, have students read
throughout life, or whether their their scenes aloud for one another
behavior is the result of education, WHAT MAKES A CLASSIC? and discuss the challenges and
the influence of family, etc. How Every year, productions of A choices they made on behalf of
do you think this story of Scrooge Christmas Carol are staged in their own adaptation.
supports one theory vs. the other? theaters around the world. Why do
Do you think Scrooge is the you think this story has remained Classroom Activity: Read a passage
product of his environment, or was so popular for so many years? from the book A Christmas Carol
he born that way? How do you Some scholars believe that a classic aloud. What aspects of the text
explain his transformation based on is a story that both defines its own are effective as spoken language?
your assessment? era and transcends its time. Do you What aspects of the text seem
believe A Christmas Carol qualifies most appropriate for theatrical
THE LESSONS OF THE GHOSTS by this definition? Do you think this staging? How does the written text
Each of the ghosts that visit makes it a classic? What qualities differ from that scene as it was
Scrooge is meant to teach him do you think a book has to have staged in the production?
a lesson. What do you believe to be a classic? What other books
Scrooge learns from the Ghost have you read that you believe are Classroom Activity: Many TV and
of Christmas Past? The Ghost of classics? Why should those books film adaptations have been made
Christmas Present? The Ghost of be considered? of A Christmas Carol, including A
Christmas Future? Each Ghost in Divas Christmas Carol starring
this Guthrie production is very ADAPTATION Vanessa Williams for VH1, Mickeys
different from the other in Adapting a novel for the stage Christmas Carol by Disney and
terms of appearance, costuming, poses many challenges. After Scrooged starring Bill Murray. If
demeanor, gender, voice and seeing A Christmas Carol at the you were going to write a modern
movement. Why do you think each Guthrie and reading the book, find day version of A Christmas Carol,
Ghost has been created to appear examples of moments from the where would you set the story?
the way they do? How does the play that were adapted from prose Who would be your Scrooge? In
appearance complement the lesson not dialogue. How did the play what industry would they work?
to be learned from that particular use theatrical elements lighting, Individuals or small teams should
Ghost? symbolism, music, setting - to work to develop scenes from their
capture Dickens novel? When do modern day versions of the story to
If you were the central character you think this was most successful? present for one another.
of A Christmas Carol, what would Were there elements of the book
the Ghosts have revealed to you? that were lost in the production? THEATRICAL STAGING
What lessons do you think they Were there moments in the Often, the most theatrical moments
would have wanted you to learn? production that are not found in in a production highlight or point to
How would the Ghosts in your story the book? the plays most significant themes.
appear? In this production, what do you
Classroom Activity: Ask students believe are the most theatrical
Do you believe the lessons from to select a novel (other than A moments? Do you believe these
the Ghosts have any meaning in Christmas Carol) of their choice moments indicate the plays central
your own life? Did you learn or preferably a favorite book they themes?
discover anything from the play have read and know well. Ask
that might change your behavior students to select one section of How does the Guthrie production
or attitudes? If so, what? Do you text from their book that includes create the atmosphere of Dickens
believe it is possible to enrich both dialogue and descriptive 19th century London? What do
or understand your own life in a prose. Then, have them translate we learn about Scrooge and his
deeper way through seeing plays, that section into a theatrical script world through the set, costumes,
listening to music, reading books and encourage them to capture as props, lights and sound? How
or experiencing other types of art? much of the prose as they are able do costumes help us understand

18 \ GUTHRIE THEATER
 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

characters social or economic from the play or from the Victorian to research specific Christmas
class? What changes in fashion era. Meet and mingle in character traditions or b) select a holiday
are apparent in the costumes as you enjoy the festivities. other than Christmas to explore in
for the scenes from Scrooges detail. Ask each student to prepare
childhood (set around 1790), to the HOLIDAY TRADITIONS a report or create a poster board
Fezziwig party (set around 1800), AROUND THE WORLD that features pictures, images or
to the party at Freds (set around Classroom Activity: Christmas is samples of holiday fare.
1840)? Select a scene or image celebrated differently throughout
you remember from the play and the world. In certain cultures,
describe each of the elements that Christmas is not a holiday but other
you can recall and how it supports wonderful celebrations take place
the scene. and are honored. Ask each student
to either a) select a country
MUSIC
Christmas carols and songs are
incorporated throughout this
production. Describe the different
ways music is used throughout
the play. How does the live music
set a tone for a scene, advance
the action of the story, define
characters and contribute to the
overall production?

HOLIDAYS PAST, PRESENT

AND FUTURE
Classroom Activity: Interview
a parent, grandparent or older
relative about their favorite
memories of a past Christmas
or holiday tradition of their own
culture. What foods, smells,
sounds, images and people do
they recall from that holiday? Write
a description of these memories
that captures as many details as
possible. Think about your own
favorite holiday memory and do
the same. Try to capture as many
sensory details as possible. Imagine
a future holiday when you are
an older adult, and again write a
detailed description of what you
imagine your perfect holiday will
be.

THROW A VICTORIAN
HOLIDAY PARTY
Classroom Activity: As a class, plan
a Victorian holiday party complete
with food, games, songs, dances
and costumes of the era. Be as
authentic as you can! Ask each
PHOTO: DAN NORMAN
student to come as a character The cast of A Christmas Carol

GUTHRIE THEATER \ 19
 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For Further Information

BOOKS Interactive BBC site about children in Victorian
Dickens, Charles. Christmas Books. London: Oxford England, designed for children from 9-11
University Press, 1954.
http://www.wwnorton.com/nael/victorian/welcome.
Dickens, Charles. Christmas Stories. London: Oxford htm
University Press, 1956. Norton Topics Online site provides illuminating primary
documents relating to British society in the Victorian
Davis, Paul. The Lives and Times of Ebenezer Scrooge, Era
New Haven: Yale University Press, 1990.
http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/snow/1859map/
Davis, Paul. Penguin Dickens Companion. New York: Searchable map of London in 1859, from the UCLA
Penguin Books, 1999. Department of Epidemiology

Hearn, Michael Patrick. The Annotated Christmas Carol. http://www.victorianweb.org

New York: Clarkson N. Potter, Inc., 1976. Site designed and edited by Professor George P.
Landrow for Brown Univeristy as a resource for Brown
Miall, Antony and Peter. The Victorian Christmas Book. students studying Victorian literature
New York: Pantheon Books, 1978.

Schlicke, Paul. Oxford Readers Companion to Dickens. A SELECTION OF CHRISTMAS LITERATURE

New York: Oxford University Press, 1999. Editors Note. Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol is
one among many stories arising out of the Christmas
Smiley, Jane. Charles Dickens. The Penguin Lives holiday. What follows is a selected list which may
Series. New York: Penguin Putnam, Inc., 2002. include many of your own favorites.

Novels, Short Stories and Poems:

FILMS AND VIDEOS The First Christmas, Luke, chapter 2
http://us.imdb.com/M/person The Legend of Bafana, traditional European story
exact?Dickens%2C+Charles Baba Yaga, folktale, probably Russian in origin (19th
A list of films adapted from Dickens novels and short century)
stories The Nutcracker, E.T.A Hoffman (1816)
The Sketch Book, Washington Irving (1819-20)
The Night Before Christmas (A Visit from St. Nicholas) ,
WEBSITES Clement C. Moore (1822)
http://www.stormfax.com/1dickens.htm The Fir Tree, Hans Christian Anderson (1845)
The text of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol The Snow Queen, Hans Christian Anderson (1845)
The Little Match-Seller, Hans Christian Anderson (1846)
http://www.charlesdickenspage.com Little Women, Louisa May Alcott, chapters 1-3 (1869)
David Purdues Charles Dickens Page includes How Santa Came to Simpsons Bar, Bret Harte (1870)
information on Dickens on page, onstage and in life Christmas Every Day and Other Stories Told for
Children, William Dean Howells (1892)
http://www.lang.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~matsuoka/CD- The Burglars Christmas, Willa Cather (1896)
Chesterton-CD.html Yes, Virigina, There is a Santa Claus, Francis P.
G.K. Chestertons biography, Charles Dickens, 1906 Church, The New York Sun (1897)
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, L Frank Baum
http://lang.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~matsuoka/CD-Forster.html (1902)
Entire text of John Forsters biography, The Life of The Tailor of Gloucester, Beatrix Potter (c. 1902)
Charles Dickens, 1872-74 The Gift of the Magi, O. Henry (1906)
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/victorians/index.shtml (1950)

20 \ GUTHRIE THEATER
 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A Childs Christmas in Wales, Dylan Black Nativity, Langston Hughes

Thomas (1954) (1961)
A Christmas Memory, Truman The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,
Capote (1956) Barbara Robinson (1972)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Dr. Christmas on Mars, Harry
Seuss (1957) Kondoleon (1983)
The Polar Express, Chris Van Reckless, Craig Lucas (1989)
Allsburg (1985) The Eight Reindeer Monologues,
The Santaland Diaries, Holidays on Eric Goode (1994)
Ice, David Sedaris (1992) They Sing Christmas Up in Harlem:
Santas Twin, Dean Koontz (1996) A Lenox Avenue Christmas Carol,
Eric LeRoy Wilson (2000)
Plays: Mrs. Bob Cratchits Wild Christmas
Babes in Toyland, Glen Binge, Christopher Durang (2005)
MacDonough and Victor Herbert
(1903)
The Man Who Came to Dinner,
George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart
(1939)

The cast of A Christmas Carol PHOTO: DAN NORMAN

GUTHRIE THEATER \ 21