Keith Ferguson & Bruce Greer have created a new musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 1843 Novella that is faithful to Dickens’ plot and prose, while highlighting both the spiritual and social themes woven throughout this Christmas classic in A Christmas Carol – A New Musical. The score has many original songs written in a traditional musical theater style, while also carefully integrating familiar carols and songs of Christmas that audiences will recognize and respond to with joy. The vocal writing is accessible and practical, allowing both professional and amateur groups to have great success performing the score. The outstanding orchestration is colorful and rich, helping to tell the story and create the mood throughout the 1 hour and 45 minute show.
Synopsis of Scenes and Musical Numbers
PROLOGUE – Christmas Eve, 1843, 3:00 pm, Streets of London
Overture – Orchestra
Sing a Christmas Carol with God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen – Chorus, Scrooge
SCENE 1 – Christmas Eve, late afternoon, Scrooge’s Office
God Bless Christmas/A Family Christmas with Here We Come-a-Caroling – Fred, Scrooge, Bob, Orphan Boy, Orphan Girl
SCENE 2 – Christmas Eve Night, Scrooge’s Bedroom
This Chain – Jacob Marley
SCENE 3 – Christmas Past – A Schoolroom, Fezziwig’s, Scrooge’s Office, Belle’s Home
A Family Christmas – Reprise – Fan, Boy Scrooge
Christmas Eve at Fezziwig’s with Deck the Halls – Mr. Fezziwig, Mrs. Fezziwig, Chorus, Housemaid, Cook, Baker, Milkman, Young Woman, Dick Wilkins, Young Scrooge
You Once Were – Belle
SCENE 4 – Christmas Present – Scrooge’s Bedroom, Streets of London, a Church, Cratchit Home, Fred’s Home
Merry Christmas Morning – Ghost of Christmas Present, Chorus
O Come, All Ye Faithful with The First Noel and Good Christian Men, Rejoice – Chorus, Scrooge
As We Remember – The Cratchit Family
On Christmas Night – Medley of English Carols – Fred, Virginia, Party Guests
God Bless Christmas – Reprise – Fred, Virginia
SCENE 5 – Christmas Future – Streets of London, Cratchit Home, A Graveyard
Better Off Dead – Charwoman, Laundress, Gravedigger, Old Joe
As We Remember – Reprise – Bob
Ebenezer Scrooge – Orchestra Underscore
SCENE 6 – Christmas Day – Scrooge’s Bedroom, Streets of London, Fred’s House
On My Knees – Scrooge Christmas Morning Medley – Scrooge, Chorus, Fred, Virginia
EPILOGUE – December 26, 1843, Scrooge’s Office, Streets of London
God Bless Us, Everyone – Tiny Tim, Bob, Scrooge, Fred, Virginia, Company
Curtain Call with Sing a Christmas Carol and Joy to the World! – Company
Orchestration
Woodwind 1- Piccolo
Flute 1
Woodwind 2- Flute 2
Oboe/English Horn
Woodwind 3- Bb Clarinet (1)
Woodwind 4- Bb Clarinet (2)
Bass Clarinet
1 Trumpet
1 French Horn
1 Trombone
Violin 1&2
Viola
Cello
Arco Bass
Percussion – 2-3 players (no drum set)
Timpani
Mallets
Piano/Keyboard
In addition to the orchestration, an accompaniment track, featuring a fully acoustic professional orchestra, and all sound effects required for the show, is also available.