A Christmas Carol: The Musical | Production Notes

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Music & Lyrics by Jimmy Calire
Adaptation by J.B. White

Originally produced in Ojai, CA, in December 2009, our musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is designed to be easily and economically mounted. We provide everything you need: master script, score, vocal parts, and sound effects.

It is fully orchestrated for piano trio (piano,violin and cello); chamber group add brass, woodwinds and rhythm; full orchestra.

Sets should be suggested not realized (e.g., two desks and two chairs for the Offices of Scrooge and Marley…a revolving armchair or bed, a coat rack, and a reversible door frame for Scrooge’s house…a dining table and chairs for the Cratchit home, etc.).

Scene transitions and set changes should be lighting-driven. Costumes should be era-accurate but not elaborate.

Although an intermission is indicated, the running time of the show is about an hour and forty minutes, so it can be done without a break if desired.

The musical is community theater-friendly, featuring actors of all ages. With the exception of Scrooge, no actor is asked to do “too much.” Parts, as indicated in our cast list, can and should be doubled. Our production had 35 actors (13 adults, 12 teens, and 10 children), most of whom were non-professional.

This adaptation adheres quite closely to the original novel. Virtually all of the dialogue was written by Dickens. We recommend the narrator speak in his or her natural, unaccented voice, as if reading a bedtime story.

About the Authors

JIMMY CALIRE, Composer / Lyricist /Arranger has had an extraordinary and versatile career.  In the late 60’s he was a member and principal writer of the legendary “Raven” a Buffalo, New York based band that went on to become a favorite of musicians all around the country.  Playing keyboards and saxophone , he toured world wide for several years with  the group“ America”. A musician’s musician, Jimmy is at home playing or writing in all styles  from tough  roadhouse shuffling  to string quartets and straight ahead  jazz.

J.B. WHITE is a prolific screenwriter of movies and miniseries for television. He is also an accomplished musician. This adaptation of A Christmas Carol is his first work for the stage.