::Character Profiles::
Ebenezer Scrooge
is an old miser driven by greed. He has no sympathy for the poor, does nothing to help his fellow-man, and thinks it is foolish to celebrate Christmas.
“If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with a “Merry Christmas” on his lips should be boiled in his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.”
Bob Cratchit
is Scrooge’s overworked, underpaid clerk. Money is tight for him and his family, but they find strength in their love for each other and hope for the future.
“It’s not that often I get to spend the entire day with my beautiful family. With all of you together… I have everything in the world a man could possibly ask for.”
Jacob Marley
Scrooge and Jacob Marley were business partners, until Marley’s death seven years ago. Marley never turned from his selfish, miserly ways, and his spirit now wanders the earth in chains as punishment.
“I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link. Yard by yard. Mark me! My spirit never walked beyond the narrow limits of our money-changing hole, and now weary journeys lie before me.”
Nephew Fred
is a good-hearted, generous young man who refuses to let his Uncle Scrooge ruin his merry Christmas.
“I always think of Christmas as a good time – a kind, charitable, pleasant time. It is the only time I know of in the year when we open our hearts freely to one another.”
Mr. Fezziwig
When Scrooge and Marley were young, they worked for Mr. Fezziwig as clerks. Fezziwig was a kind, generous man who held a wonderful Christmas party every year for his employees.
“If I die penniless, I will die happy. I will have done what I wanted to do. There’s more to life than money.”
Fan
Scrooge had little family as a child (his mother died giving birth to him, and his father was in a workhouse), but his older sister Fan loved him dearly.
“I had to see my baby brother for Christmas!”
Lily
and Fred are newly-weds. Lily is kind and welcoming, even to Scrooge!
“Under all that sourness I believe there’s still a good man trying to get out.”
Belle
was a beautiful, kind, but poor young girl. She and Scrooge were engaged before he learned to care only for money.
“Little by little I have seen all joy in your life replaced by your passion for money.”
Mrs. Cratchit
takes care of her four children, working hard to stretch Bob’s small salary to pay for their needs. She resents Scrooge a little for his stinginess.
“No matter where you are… or how far apart we may all be… you’ll make this pudding and remember all of us together at Christmas.”
The Ghost of Christmas Past
conjures up scenes from Scrooge’s past, reminding him that Christmas did mean something to him once. In the McCarter production, this ghost is played by children from the Youth Ensemble.
“I told you these were the shadows of the things that have been. That they are what they are, do not blame me!”
The Ghost of Christmas Present
Cheerful and lively, The Ghost of Christmas Present sprinkles the spirit of Christmas cheer on those who need it most.
“Every Christmas, another brother or sister tries to spread happiness and Christmas cheer. We are also charged with the task of removing the causes of human misery…which explains my little visit to you.”
The Ghost of Christmas Future
is a silent, looming spirit who shows Scrooge the dismal things to come if he does not change. In McCarter’s production, this ghost is portayed by a large puppet.
Tiny Tim
is the youngest of the Cratchit children. Although he is crippled and physically weak, he has a big heart.
“God bless us, every one.”
