December 5-29

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Ronald Román-Meléndez as Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, adapted by Jay McClure at the American Shakespeare Center.

“I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future.”

The ultimate tale of transformation, A Christmas Carol transports miserly Ebenezer Scrooge high above the streets of Victorian London, where Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future haunt his dreams…accomplishing in one fateful night what a lifetime of grasping and greed could not do: the warming of his cold, cold heart.

Join ASC this December for our favorite holiday tradition—an annual production of Charles Dickens’ beloved classic, a festive treat to be enjoyed by families and friends of all ages.

Director and casting news coming soon. Read more about our Staging Conditions and Casting Practices here.

We will offer Pay-What-You-Will Previews for A Christmas Carol on Thursday, December 5, and Friday, December 6. Please arrive before curtain and check in with the Box Office to claim your PWYW seat on a first-come, first-served basis. This is our most popular PWYW of the year, so be sure to arrive early to get in line. Donations to support ASC will be accepted after the show.

Run time: TBD (usually around 95 minutes, including intermission)

Age Policy: We welcome anyone aged three and up to attend this special holiday production.

Gallery

The cast of A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center performing a lively song and dance. Some cast members are on stage, including Ronald Román-Meléndez, as Ebenezer Scrooge, while the audience watches from the front rows. Photo by October Grace Media.
The cast of A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center performing a scene in front of a table. The characters are dressed in Victorian attire, and the audience is seated in the background. The scene is festive with garlands and holiday decorations. Photo by October Grace Media.
Ally Farzetta as the Narrator and Sam Saint Ours as Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center. The two actors are on stage, with Farzetta kneeling beside Saint Ours, who is seated and bundled in a scarf, conveying a warm and tender moment.

Ally Farzetta as the Narrator and Sam Saint Ours as Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol 2024 at the American Shakespeare Center. Photo By October Grace Media.

Ronald Román-Meléndez as Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center. Scrooge stands in a dramatic pose, wearing a robe and nightcap, angrily pointing during a scene on stage. Photo by October Grace Media.
Ronald Román-Meléndez as Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol 2024 at the American Shakespeare Center. Photo by October Grace Media.
The cast of A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center performing a scene with Ronald Román-Meléndez as Ebenezer Scrooge and Phoebe González as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Other cast members are part of the lively performance, surrounded by festive decor. Photo by October Grace Media.
Britt Michael Gordon as Young Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center. He is sitting on the floor, reading a book with a focused expression. The background features a red curtain and dark marble columns. Photo by October Grace Media.
Ally Farzetta as Mrs. Fezziwig and Kenn Hopkins, Jr. as Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center. They are smiling and standing together in a joyful scene. The background shows clothing racks and festive set details. Photo by October Grace Media.
The cast of A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center performing a lively dance scene. Ronald Román-Meléndez as Ebenezer Scrooge and Phoebe González as the Ghost of Christmas Present are at the center, surrounded by other cast members celebrating with festive energy. Photo by October Grace Media.
The cast of A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center performing on stage. Phoebe González (as the Ghost of Christmas Present) leads the scene, surrounded by fellow actors singing and dancing in festive costumes. The scene is filled with joy and celebration, capturing the spirit of the holiday season.
The cast of A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center performing a scene in front of a table. The actors, dressed in Victorian attire, are joyfully interacting, with a festive atmosphere in the Blackfriars Playhouse. Photo by October Grace Media.
Kenn Hopkins, Jr. as the Ghost of Christmas Present, with Ronald Román-Meléndez as Scrooge, and Phoebe González in A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center. The Ghost of Christmas Present is surrounded by festive greenery and looks upwards in joy while Scrooge is lying on the floor in the background. Photo by October Grace Media
Molly Martinez-Collins as Tiny Tim, Kenn Hopkins Jr. as the Ghost of Christmas Present, and Sam Saint Ours as Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center. The scene captures a proposal moment between Bob Cratchit and his wife, while Tiny Tim looks on. Photo by October Grace Media.
The cast of A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center performing a lively song and dance. Some cast members are on stage, including Ronald Román-Meléndez, as Ebenezer Scrooge, while the audience watches from the front rows. Photo by October Grace Media.
The cast of A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center performing a scene in front of a table. The characters are dressed in Victorian attire, and the audience is seated in the background. The scene is festive with garlands and holiday decorations. Photo by October Grace Media.
Ally Farzetta as the Narrator and Sam Saint Ours as Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center. The two actors are on stage, with Farzetta kneeling beside Saint Ours, who is seated and bundled in a scarf, conveying a warm and tender moment.
Ronald Román-Meléndez as Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center. Scrooge stands in a dramatic pose, wearing a robe and nightcap, angrily pointing during a scene on stage. Photo by October Grace Media.
Ronald Román-Meléndez as Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol 2024 at the American Shakespeare Center. Photo by October Grace Media.
The cast of A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center performing a scene with Ronald Román-Meléndez as Ebenezer Scrooge and Phoebe González as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Other cast members are part of the lively performance, surrounded by festive decor. Photo by October Grace Media.
Britt Michael Gordon as Young Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center. He is sitting on the floor, reading a book with a focused expression. The background features a red curtain and dark marble columns. Photo by October Grace Media.
Ally Farzetta as Mrs. Fezziwig and Kenn Hopkins, Jr. as Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center. They are smiling and standing together in a joyful scene. The background shows clothing racks and festive set details. Photo by October Grace Media.
The cast of A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center performing a lively dance scene. Ronald Román-Meléndez as Ebenezer Scrooge and Phoebe González as the Ghost of Christmas Present are at the center, surrounded by other cast members celebrating with festive energy. Photo by October Grace Media.
The cast of A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center performing on stage. Phoebe González (as the Ghost of Christmas Present) leads the scene, surrounded by fellow actors singing and dancing in festive costumes. The scene is filled with joy and celebration, capturing the spirit of the holiday season.
The cast of A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center performing a scene in front of a table. The actors, dressed in Victorian attire, are joyfully interacting, with a festive atmosphere in the Blackfriars Playhouse. Photo by October Grace Media.
Kenn Hopkins, Jr. as the Ghost of Christmas Present, with Ronald Román-Meléndez as Scrooge, and Phoebe González in A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center. The Ghost of Christmas Present is surrounded by festive greenery and looks upwards in joy while Scrooge is lying on the floor in the background. Photo by October Grace Media
Molly Martinez-Collins as Tiny Tim, Kenn Hopkins Jr. as the Ghost of Christmas Present, and Sam Saint Ours as Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol at the American Shakespeare Center. The scene captures a proposal moment between Bob Cratchit and his wife, while Tiny Tim looks on. Photo by October Grace Media.

Discover More

Content Considerations for A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol is a heartwarming tale of generosity, redemption, and the holiday spirit, designed to captivate audiences of all ages. This family-friendly classic is suitable for most children ages 3 and up. However, some moments may be intense for younger audiences. Parents may want to consider the following elements:

  • Ghostly Visitors and Supernatural Imagery: Dramatic appearances of ghosts and magical moments may be exciting but could be surprising for some children.
  • Themes of Grief, Poverty, and Illness: The play includes themes of loss, financial hardship, and Tiny Tim’s illness, which are handled with sensitivity but may be emotionally intense.
  • Death and Loss: Some scenes depict the loss of loved ones, though the story ultimately focuses on hope and redemption.
  • Dramatic Effects: Some scenes feature loud sounds (e.g., bells ringing, chains rattling), sudden lighting changes, and dim lighting designed to create suspense or surprise.
  • Religious and Spiritual Themes: Rooted in Christmas traditions, the story explores themes of kindness, generosity, and spiritual redemption, which may resonate differently depending on personal beliefs.

The production celebrates compassion and holiday cheer but includes moments of suspense and emotional depth. Parents are encouraged to consider their child’s comfort with these elements.

 

Spread Holiday Magic with Project Goodfellow

Make this season brighter for local preschoolers by donating toys, books, and winter gear at Blackfriars Playhouse from Dec 4 to 8, 2024.

A person in a white sweater fills a pink Minnie Mouse Christmas stocking with a unicorn scratch art kit during Project Goodfellow's holiday donation drive at the American Shakespear Center. Play-Doh containers and toys for preschoolers are displayed on the table below.

Learn more about how you can make a difference this holiday season through Project Goodfellow and help bring joy to local preschoolers.

Learn More About Project Goodfellow

 

Stuff That Happens
  • Ebenezer Scrooge hoards his money and dismisses Christmas as a “humbug.” He refuses to help those in need and shows no compassion for the poor, including his overworked clerk, Bob Cratchit.
  • Scrooge rejects an invitation to Christmas dinner from his cheerful nephew, Fred, and scoffs at charity workers seeking donations for those in need.
  • That night, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who is bound in heavy chains as punishment for his greed. Marley warns Scrooge of a similar fate and tells him to expect visitation from three spirits.
  • The Ghost of Christmas Past arrives and shows Scrooge’s visions from his youth, where his relationships with Fan (his sister) and Belle (his lost love) ended due to his obsession with wealth.
  • The Ghost of Christmas Present reveals the Cratchit family’s love and resilience despite hard times and Tiny Tim’s fragile health, and Scrooge sees people across the world embracing generosity and connection.
  • The Ghost of Christmas Future shows Scrooge a vision of his lonely death and the pain left behind if Tiny Tim’s condition goes untreated.
  • Finally, Scrooge faces a choice: will the grim future he’s seen come to pass, or will he change his behavior and embrace the true spirit of Christmas?

 

Notes from the Director

 

2024 marks my thirteenth December working on A Christmas Carol at the ASC. The Holiday season at The Blackfriars Playhouse has long become my favorite time of year. Each year, I marvel at the timeliness of Dickens’ story and message. Scrooge’s journey of redemption offers us an annual opportunity to take stock of how we care for the “fellow travelers” we encounter every day. It has been my honor and privilege to be a part of this important tradition. Each year, I find that I am a little different – maybe older, maybe wiser – but no less in need of this crucial year-end self-reflection. Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol allows us the chance to laugh, cry, and remember the power we have in each of our communities.

Director Stephanie Holladay Earl, with curly brown hair and wearing a red top, holds a script during a rehearsal for A Christmas Carol at the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, VA. In the background, Production Stage Manager Sarah Dale Lewis sits with a laptop and a service dog, focused on production preparations in the iconic wooden-paneled theatre.

Jay McClure’s adaptation takes great care to preserve much of Dickens’ original text, but each year, his words never fail to land in a fresh new way. McClure’s version is a fast-paced, thrilling, ensemble-driven script that allows the ASC to tell this classic tale of love and loss in a way only they can – charming, immersive, exciting, and music-filled. The ASC’s text-based approach, in my humble opinion, creates an atmosphere that is the most truthful to Dickens’ timelessly relevant source material. We thank you for spending this special part of your year with us, and proud to make you a part of our holiday tradition.

Stephanie Holladay Earl
-Director

Adapted By Jay McClure

Jay McClure joined the American Shakespeare Center (ASC) in 1999 after working as an actor and arts administrator in New York and later as a project leader for a Fortune 500 company. For ASC, he was instrumental in the opening of the Blackfriars Playhouse and conceived and developed the Actors’ Renaissance Season.

He has worked on all of Shakespeare’s plays (most more than once) and dozens of other Early Modern plays. He worked for theatres and arts organizations across the country and is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA. He’s currently working on an adaptation of Dickens’ Hard Times.

Sam Saint Ours Brings Holiday Music Magic

How does A Christmas Carol strike the perfect chord of tradition and innovation? Music Director and Bob Cratchit, Sam Saint Ours, reveals his process for crafting unforgettable soundscapes, writing Fezziwig parodies, and creating holiday magic on the Blackfriars stage.

The cast of A Christmas Carol (2024) performs preshow music at the Blackfriars Playhouse. Dressed in period-inspired attire, the musicians include actors playing a mandolin, banjo, upright bass, and drum, with a piano in the background. The stage is adorned with festive garlands, setting a warm holiday atmosphere. Photo by October Grace Media.

📖 Read Sam Saint Ours Interview and uncover the music behind the magic!

Go Behind the Seams with Tori Wright

What do Victorian transformation dresses, ghostly transparency, and a dash of holiday magic have in common? They’re all part of the costume wizardry Tori Wright brings to A Christmas Carol (2024). From Scrooge’s shifting tones to Marley’s haunting details, discover how ASC’s Costume Designer stitches stories into every seam.

Marie Lupia, Costume Shop Manager, Amy Monsalve, Costume Manager, and Tori Wright, Costume Designer for A Christmas Carol 2024 at the American Shakespeare Center, posing together with a mannequin in front of the Blackfriars Playhouse. Photo by October Grace Media.

Discover the Design Magic and step into the story!