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The of ’s Past rime Minister Lord such as prostitutes, pickpockets, from the gutters into the Thames— (1779- murderers and houses of ill repute. your main water supply. If you 1848) did not care Dickens’ vivid London was a place were a common laborer, your av- for from which the good Prime Minis- erage weekly wage was 3 shillings, (1812-70). By the ter wished to shield his Queen. 9 pence—that’s approximately $4. mid-1800s, Dickens Imagine yourself in London With a loaf of bread costing about had achieved widespread fame with in Charles Dickens’ time. Nearly 2 pence a day and rent for the year the publications of The two million Londoners, rich and costing £25 (about $47), you are Papers, and The Life poor alike, spill into the streets still extraordinarily poor; however, and Adventures of Nicholas Nickle- and try to navigate around the this was a luckier existence than the by. Lord Melbourne advised Queen manure left by literally thousands very destitute, who would receive Victoria against reading the work of horse-drawn carriages. Smoke aid in the form of employment in a of Her Majesty’s famous subject, swarms out of chimney pots and . due to the fact that Dickens’ books soot coats all that it falls upon. In From this dank and vile re- were full of “unpleasant subjects” parts of the city, raw sewage pours ality came countless Romantic

London (Dudley Street in Seven Dials) by Blanchard Jerrold and Gustave Doré (1872).

P4 • South Coast Repertory • A Carol literary offerings, including Dickens’ A Christ- mas Carol. His account of mean old Ebene- zer changing his ways became essen- tial reading during Christmastime in London, Other Voices at Christmas and indeed, throughout the world. Romanti- There are several film versions of cism revolted against aristocratic, social and po- A — have you seen them all? litical norms, stressing in their place the won- der experienced in nature. Dickens’ work de- Scrooge (1935), starring nounced the moving forward of industry and starring Sir and lauded those unfortunate souls who fell victim (1938), A Christmas Carol (1971), to it. Those “unpleasant subjects” that Prime starring an animated Oscar-winning Minister Melbourne was so quick to cover A Christmas Carol (1951), short film, with Alastair Sim up became the heroes of Dickens’ stories. starring Alastair Sim A Christmas Carol (1984), Melbourne’s efforts were successful, at A Christmas Carol (1954), a TV movie, starring George least to a point. At first the Queen seemingly a TV movie, starring C. Scott turned a blind eye to the rampant pollution, A Christmas Carol (1999), severe sanitation problems and insurmountable Scrooge (1970), a TV movie, starring Patrick poverty that plagued her urban subjects. Tuber- a musical film adaptation, Stewart culosis, typhoid fever and, finally, the dreaded cholera epidemic would ravage the streets of the Not quite enough Ebenezer for you? destitute and the opulent alike. Although Queen What about these adaptations? Victoria would continue to have her sights set on Mister Magoo’s The Muppet Christmas trade and commerce and Lord Melbourne would Christmas Carol (1962) Carol (1992), starring resign his duties twice, the workers of London ’s Christmas and the attempted to solve the greatest issue of their day. Carol (1978) Muppets Toward the end of the , English engineers The Stingiest Man in Town (1995), the first version to finally brought forth a water filtering system that (1979), animated, with the imagine Scrooge as a woman, would end the cholera epidemic. Although the voices of and starring extreme indigence of London’s common man Tom Bosley Ebenezer (1997), a Canadian, would continue for years, even after Queen Vic- An American Christmas western-themed adaptation, toria’s death, the age would be remembered as a Carol (1979), starring Henry starring time of progress. Winkler A Diva’s Christmas Carol The Victorian Age was, in many ways, a Bugs Bunny’s Christmas (2000), starring time of profound sadness and deprivation for or- Carol (1979) Vanessa Williams dinary people. But it also was a time of discovery Mickey’s Christmas Carol A Sesame Street and expectation. It was a time that infuriated and (1983), starring Scrooge Christmas Carol (2006), inspired its people. While royalty guarded trade McDuck featuring Oscar the Grouch, of agreements and sought to expand their empires, (1988), starring Bill course, as Scrooge everyday Londoners were searching for everyday Murray chances and small kindnesses. That was Charles Dickens’ London. Dickens made sure the voices of the unfor- Other Dickens Christmas stories: tunate were heard in his work, along with huge A Christmas Carol was a bestseller when it was published doses of good humor and myriad evocations of in 1843, and it created an insatiable demand in the public the joys of home and hearth. He continues to do for more Christmas stories. Dickens obliged by writing the same for us today. In all of his stories, we re- one Christmas a year for four years, they were: member that there are those less fortunate than ourselves. We remember that there are those will- ing to change. Most importantly, we remember The Cricket on the Hearth The Haunted Man that there is hope. After all, Dickens observed, “It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, If you are interested in reading any of these works or that while there is infection in disease and sor- more on Charles Dickens, try these websites: row, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly literature.org/authors/dickens-charles/ contagious as laughter and good-humour.” charlesdickenspage.com/

A Christmas Carol • South Coast Repertory • P5 A ’s Miser h! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! A squeez- ing wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self- Hal Landon, Jr. as contained, and solitary as an oyster. The . cold within him froze his old features, Photo by Henry nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his DiRocco. cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. A frosty rime was on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin. He car- ried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dog-days; and didn’t thaw it one degree at Christmas. External heat and cold had little in- fluence on Scrooge. No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him. No wind that blew was bitterer than he, no falling snow was more intent upon its purpose, no pelt- ing rain less open to entreaty. Foul weather didn’t know where to have him. The heavi- est rain, and snow, and hail, and sleet, could boast of the advantage over him in only one respect. They often “Came down” hand- somely, and Scrooge never did. Nobody ever stopped him in the street to say, with gladsome looks, “My dear Scrooge, how are you? When will you come to see me?” No beggars implored him to bestow a trifle, no children asked him what it was o’clock, no man or woman ever once in all his life inquired the way to such and such a place, of Scrooge. Even the blindmen’s dogs appeared to know him; and when they saw him coming on, would tug their owners into doorways and up courts; and then would wag their tails as though they said, “No eye at all is better than an evil eye, dark master!” But what did Scrooge care! It was the very thing he liked. To edge his way along the crowd- ed paths of life, warning all human sympathy to keep its distance, was what the knowing ones call “nuts” to Scrooge. – Excerpted from A Christmas Carol

P6 • South Coast Repertory • A Christmas Carol Who Was Charles Dickens? He was a sympathizer with the poor, the suffering and came the writing or publication of a major work. In the oppressed; and by his death, one of ’s great- 1837, with the birth of his first son, Charles Jr., came est writers is lost to the world. Oliver Twist. In 1838, with the arrival of Mary, Nicholas ~Inscription on Dickens’ tombstone Nickleby was begun. In 1843, just prior to the birth at Poet’s Corner, of Francis Jeffrey, A Christmas Carol was created. he eldest son The first of his Christmas of John and books, A Christmas Carol Elizabeth quickly became a favorite Dickens, of the people. It would Charles be followed by The Huff- Chimes, Dombey and man Dickens was Son and Christmas born in Landport Stories. (now part of Shortly after ), the publication England, Feb. 7, of A Christmas 1812. In 1824, Carol, Dickens he was given moved his fam- his first posi- ily from their tion in busi- London home ness in the to settle, brief- employ of ly, in , Warren’s - Italy, and later ing Factory, moved on to Chatham. For Switzerland and six months, Paris. During young Dickens these years away adhered labels from London, his to containers of best-known works blacking, and per- included Cricket haps unknowingly, on the Hearth, The collected material for Battle of Life and the what would become first installments of world famous portray- David . als of Victorian England’s After returning to working class. England, Dickens would At 15, he entered the pro- spend his later years creating fessions, taking a position as clerk some of his most internationally ac- at Ellis and Blackmore, attorneys. In be- claimed works including tween his clerking and evening shorthand les- (1859), A Tale of Two (1859) and Great sons, he wooed his first love, Maria Beadnell, a flirta- Expectations (1861). In 1870, the first installment of tious young lady whose deep impressions on Dickens The Mystery of Edwin Drood was published, and the would be reflected in , written nearly 30 author made his last public appearance. He died in his years after their courtship. Forsaking Miss Beadnell, home at Gad’s Hill Place on June 9, 1870. in 1836 he met and married Catherine Hogarth, who would bear him 10 children, and began the publication Engraving of Charles Dickens from A Portrait Gallery of Eminent Men of . and Women of Europe and America, with , by Evert A. With the birth year of nearly each of his children Duykinck (1872).

A Christmas Carol • South Coast Repertory • P7 “A Christmas Carol” Experience Leaves Lasting Impact

We asked Theatre Conservatory stu- dents from past productions of SCR’s A Christmas Carol what made the experi- ence special for them.

“All the other actors shared my enthusiasm Liam McHugh, Daniel Blinkoff, Nika Natalie for acting. I also loved being in a profes- Aydin, Jennifer Parsons, Jillian Tabone and sional play and having to work really hard Grace O’Brien in the 2013 production of A because it was fun to work hard. I also Christmas Carol. Photo by Jim Cox. enjoyed performing in front of a lot of people.” —Carissa Diller (Belinda Cratchit, 2015)

“A Christmas Carol was integral to my SCR Theatre growth as an artist and in my education. I learned that dedication requires stami- na, that being present requires focus, and Conservatory Students commitment to your fellow artists requires commitment to your choices. This experi- ence shaped me and I am so grateful for Shine on Stage that.” —Sanaz Toossi (Martha Cratchit, 2008) n today’s performance of A Christmas Carol, you’ll see young actors in the roles of Martha, Belinda, Pe- “A Christmas Carol was my first profes- ter and Tiny Tim Cratchit. And Turkey Boy. And the sional stage experience and it helped me specters of “Want” and “Ignorance.” And the young gain insight into the entire production pro- people among the partygoers. All of them are stu- cess, which inspired me to pursue a BA dents in SCR’s Theatre Conservatory who earned in theatre from UCSD. Today, I am a K-8 the roles through hard work, talent, and the growth and promise educator and theatre artist—I even worked they have shown in their classes. as the child assistant for the 2015 season “The students selected for A Christmas Carol show maturity, of A Christmas Carol—and I would argue focus, confidence and an overall readiness to take on the exciting that the experience of working on this challenge. It’s a thrill for us to provide young actors this singular op- production was one of the most impact- portunity to perform and learn next to professional artists in this be- ful moments of my training in the Theatre loved classic,” says Hisa Takakuwa, conservatory director, who por- Conservatory’s Kids and Teen Program, as trayed Sally and Toy Lady in A Christmas Carol for 14 years and has well as my academic career.” been assistant director for the past 11 years. “Each year’s cast of 16 —Brianna Beach (Martha Crachit, 2007 young actors brings a new life and energy to this wonderful show.” and Fan, 2008) Nearly 80 conservatory students, between the ages of 8 and 18, audition for the annual holiday classic. They must have at least “A Christmas Carol was a portal into the two years of conservatory training, show strength in their class world of the professional actor. While I got work and have the recommendation of their teacher. the chance to explore my craft with sage “Conservatory acting classes guide students toward under- adult actors, I also developed crucial lead- standing the artistic process, discovering their creativity and build- ership skills among the younger actors.” ing their ability to work confidently with others,” explains Takaku- —Christopher Huntley (Boy Scrooge, 2008 wa. “Our students learn through their work in this production and and Peter Cratchit, 2011) when they resume classes, we see how much they have grown as artists.”

P8 • South Coast Repertory • A Christmas Carol Find the Hidden Objects “Hurray for the Pudding!” Peer into this Victorian dining room and find cleverly hidden images. Look for the following: duck, mug, horse-and-cart, sheep, train, spoon, knife, fork, jack-in-the-box, tea cup, trumpet, elephant and rose.

P8 • South Coast Repertory • A Christmas Carol How We Keep Christmas his season, we celebrate our 40th con- our show) anew. But we’re not complete until joined secutive year of staging Charles Dick- by SCR’s greater family: our . A few of you ens’ A Christmas Carol, adapted by Jerry have seen the show every year since 1980. Many of you Patch. Once again, Hal Landon Jr. plays first came with your parents and now bring your own Ebenezer Scrooge and John-David Keller children—or even grandchildren! Our production of A directs. SCR Founding Artists Richard Christmas Carol has endured because it brings families Doyle and Art Koustik, who have reprised their roles vir- together. We are reminded to celebrate the season and tually every season, also are back this year. The Christ- to consider, together, Ebenezer Scrooge’s redemp- mas Carol cast has become a family, gathering each tion. The value of love, life and family is heightened by November to do its work. New folks are made kin by the fact that these don’t last forever. It is the equation our veterans; the veterans are invigorated by the new- Scrooge comes to know and one our family appreciates comers. By December, we’ve re-created our clan (and again each year.

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A Christmas Carol • South Coast Repertory • P5 Mr. Landon & Mr. Keller Bid Farewell to A Christmas Carol

obody “bah-hum- means to them—is one of the big rea- and Northern California. Thank you, bugs” quite like ac- sons I’ve done it for so long.” Hal Landon Jr., for pouring your heart tor Hal Landon Jr. Or The repays that sen- and soul into the role of Scrooge for somersaults into a timent in kind. Years ago, Esther the last 40 years. You have brought top hat and comes up FitzGerald brought her first two our family much joy. You will surely ready to greet Christ- grandchildren to see a then-newish be missed!” mas Day in style. The New York Times show at South Coast Repertory—A One of Keller’s delights through acknowledged him as one of the lon- Christmas Carol. the years comes from the 16 SCR The- gest-running Ebenezer Scrooges in “She initiated this family tra- atre Conservatory students who audi- the country. But, now, after 40 years dition,” says daughter Mariann Ray- tion and are cast for roles that include of playing Scrooge—a role he origi- mond. “As time moved on, and as Tiny Tim, the other Cratchit children, nated for South Coast Repertory’s other grandchildren ‘came of age,’ Es- Turkey Boy, Girl About Town and oth- popular adaptation of A Christmas ther was treating all of them and their ers. Carol—Landon will hang up his top parents to an evening of A Christmas “They make me cry every year,” hat. Joining him in retirement from Carol delight. We now total 38 family says Keller. “I think the best part is the show will be its 40-year director, members and every year there have to watch them have those ‘aha!’ mo- John-David Keller, who also portrayed been many of us in attendance, flying ments because I don’t think the kids the beloved Mr. Fezziwig for a num- in from New York, Colorado, Wash- realize what it means to do this show ber of years. And once, in 1997, Keller ington, D.C., Seattle until they have their first audience filled in as Scrooge. [Read more fun and to see that audience stand up facts about A Christmas Carol on and cheer. For the children, this is John-David the facing page.] Keller as Mr. so new and so joyful. I also tell As this milestone year Fezziwig them, at the very first rehearsal, approached, the pair spent and Hal ‘You think you don’t have any time reflecting on the show, Landon responsibility in this show, but what it has meant to each of Jr. as that’s not true at all. Besides “bah, Ebenezer them and the impact on more Scrooge. humbug,” what is the most quoted than a half-million playgoers. line in this play?’ ‘God bless us. “For me, this 40-year Everyone.’ And it’s said by a run has so many stand- tiny child. That is a huge outs,” says Landon. responsibility.” “Playing such a terrific Founding Artist role and having an Art Koustik, one of the extended period of original time to develop it has actors been immensely satis- who fying and made me a joined better actor, too. And South to share the success Coast Reper- of A Christmas Carol tory in its early with the SCR family of days, marks his talented actors and be able 39th year in the to create a true ensemble under show in 2019. He calls director J-D Keller’s inspired Landon and Keller bright guidance. And, of course, the spots in the show. response from our audience— “I find delight in knowing how much the show the consistency of Hal

P6 • South Coast Repertory • A Christmas Carol “A Christmas Carol” By the Numbers s A Christmas Carol marks its 40th year, Orange County’s favorite (and longest- running) holiday show has delighted nearly 575,000 audience members during more than 1,400 performances. Many of the theatregoers are new to the show, but oth- Art Koustik as Joe. ers are so familiar with it that they can recite the dialogue. Landon in this awesome task as Scrooge, every year and in every performance,” Koustik says. “There’s also Here are some other fun facts about the show: delight for me in John-David’s joy and commitment • Over 40 years, 219 professional actors have to the production and, in particular, with the younger held adult roles in the show and some 532 members of the cast.” Theatre Conservatory children have portrayed Alex Knox is inspired by both Landon and Keller. the likes of Tiny Tim, the Cratchits and others. Some 20 years ago, while a student in the Theatre • There have been roughly 5,400 hours of re- Conservatory, Knox was cast as Peter Cratchit. Now a hearsal time over the four decades. professional actor, this is his sixth year in A Christmas • Landon’s battle scars include two broken Carol in the role of Ebenezer as a Young Man. toes—the little toe on his left foot when, in “Being in rehearsal is wonderful,” Knox says. stocking feet, he ran into furniture backstage, “John-David is engaged with every run-through and and the little toe on his right foot, also in inspires me. Hal gives it his all with every rehearsal. stocking feet, when he ran into the foot of He sets the bar high and I love getting to watch him Scrooge’s bed. and model my version of Ebenezer off of him.” • Landon’s daughter, Caroline, auditioned and As the 40th year of A Christmas Carol draws to was cast as Young Girl About Town in the 1996 a close for Landon and Keller, emotions may run high. production, and his granddaughter, Presley, While both men appreciate what the play has meant was cast as Tiny Tim (2018). to Orange County audiences—it also has given them • Richard Doyle is best-known as The Spirit of many priceless moments. “Being in A Christmas Carol has been a great Christmas Past, but also has portrayed a Solici- lesson in the value of living in the present moment, tor, Joe, Mr. Fezziwig, a Gentleman and even of not being concerned with past moments and not Scrooge’s nephew, Fred. anticipating future moments,” Landon says. • Doyle’s daughter, Sarah, auditioned and was “This show gives you the spirit of the season,” cast as Martha Cratchit (1996). Keller adds. “It’s a gorgeous show to look at, there’s • Conservatory Director Hisa Takakuwa, who singing, there’s dancing, there’s joy and there are mo- marks 28 years with the production this year, ments of great tenderness. It has everything we would portrayed Sally and Toy Lady for 14 years. want people to come to the theatre for.” • From the half-hour call (30 minutes And look for the show to continue. until show time), until their par- “Rest assured that A Christmas Carol will remain ents take them home after the part of the tradition and the fabric of South Coast Rep- show, the kids in the cast are ertory,” says Artistic Director David Ivers. “This Dick- never alone backstage. SCR ens timeless classic—with its rich language—will be at has a fun-loving staff member the center of our programming.” with the western-sounding title of “wrangler” to serve as backstage guide, friend, SHARE YOUR BEST WISHES: In the lobby mentor and sound- are two memory books for Mr. Landon & Mr. ing board. Keller. We hope you will write down a memory or message for the men.

A Christmas Carol • South Coast Repertory • P7 The Last of the Mythologists Charles Dickens Writes A Christmas Carol

by Kristin Froberg n the late fall of 1843, the 31-year-old au- frail, sickly youngest brother called “Tiny Fred.” Dickens’ thor of Oliver Twist and The Life and Ad- spendthrift father, John, caused the family—save 12-year- ventures of began writ- old Charles—to relocate to debtors’ prison for a time. ing a story to be published during the Charles worked in a factory during this time and never Christmas season of that year. forgot the experience. Charles Dickens had four Though he certainly must have children and a wife to provide for, flag- hoped for career rejuvenation, Dick- ging sales and decreasing interest in ens could hardly have imagined that his latest work, and was in need of the quickly written story would a career jump-start. become beloved by so many. In At this time, some privi- 1857, A Christmas Carol be- leged English families still came the first of Dickens’ celebrated Christmas with works that he performed feasts, pageants and revel- publicly and was, in 1868, ry. But England’s working the last. He preferred to class—about 85 percent act the story for the audi- of the population—could ence, adapting his presen- not. For many people in tation as he went along. Dickens’ London, Decem- The Exam- ber was a time of hard- iner reported, “There is ship, not celebration. always a freshness about In October 1843, what Mr. Dickens does— moved to action by a Par- one reading is never any- liamentary report on the thing like a mechanical fol- plight of children laboring lowing of a previous read- in mines and factories, Dick- ing.” In 1867 and 1868, Dick- ens put on a blockbuster Christ- “Dickens was a mythologist rather than a novelist; he was mas Carol tour of the United the last of the mythologists, and perhaps the greatest.” States, turning a profit of $140,000— nearly $2-million dollars today. Presi- – G.K. Chesterton dent Andrew Johnson took his family to every performance in Washington, D.C., ens visited a copper mine. Appalled by what he saw there, and theatregoers camped overnight in the streets to pur- Dickens began to develop ideas for his next story — a chase tickets the next morning. story that would, in the author’s words, “strike a sledge- A Christmas Carol has been translated for readers hammer blow on behalf of the poor man’s child.” He titled all over the world and adapted into dozens of stage pro- the piece The Sledgehammer; more than 150 years later, ductions, films and even an opera. Though he could not it’s the story known to the world as A Christmas Carol. have anticipated, during that fall of 1843, how successful Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in just six weeks. his novella would prove to be, Dickens would surely be He told friends that the Cratchits were “ever tugging at very happy that his story of the virtues of goodwill and his coat sleeve, as if impatient for him to get back to his generosity continues to reach millions of people every desk and continue the story of their lives.” A Christmas year. Carol, like many of Dickens’ other works, has auto- Engraving of Charles Dickens from A Portrait Gallery of Eminent Men biographical elements woven throughout. Like Peter and Women of Europe and America, with Biographies, by Evert A. Cratchit, Dickens was the eldest of six children. His own Duykinck (1873).

P4 • South Coast Repertory • A Christmas Carol “A Christmas Carol” Trivia 1. A Christmas Carol was written by 5. In SCR’s A Christmas Carol, what 9. How many children do Charles Dickens in: is Scrooge’s business called? the Cratchits have in SCR’s A. 1848 A. Marley & Me production of A Christmas Carol? B. 1843 B. Scrooge & Marley A. 2 C. 1855 C. Scrooge’s Finances B. 3 D. 1862 D. Marley & Scrooged C. 4 D. 5 2. Who has NOT played the 6. What is Ebenezer Scrooge’s infamous role of Ebenezer nightly eatery? 10. Who has been with SCR’s Scrooge in a film adaptation of A A. Brown’s Landing A Christmas Carol since its Christmas Carol? B. Pig & Whistle inception? A. C. Hound & Thorn A. Hal Landon Jr. B. D. The Lucky Duck B. John-David Keller C. C. Art Koustik D. All of the above 7. Which actor in the role D. Tom & Donna Ruzika of Ebenezer Scrooge was E. All of the above 3. How many years, including this surrounded by Muppets in the year, has Hal Landon Jr. played Brian Henson film, The Muppet 11. What is Scrooge’s sister’s name? the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in Christmas Carol? A. Brittany SCR’s production of A Christmas A. Michael Caine B. Constance Carol? B. Ian McKellan C. Fan A. 16 C. D. Belle B. 22 D. C. 25 12. What comes onstage in the first D. 39 8. How many total visit scene of SCR’s A Christmas Scrooge on Christmas Eve in Carol? 4. How many different SCR’s A Christmas A. A wagon directors have Carol? B. A tree directed A A. 2 C. A coffin Christmas Carol B. 3 D. A horse here at SCR during C. 4 its 39-year run? D. 5 A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4

Hal Landon Jr. and Richard Doyle in 2009. Photo by Jim

Cox.

B, 12. C 12. B, 11. F; 10. Tim); Tiny & Peter Martha, (Belinda, C 9. Marley); (Includes C 8. A; 7. C; 6. B; 5. A; 4. D; 3. D; 2. B; 1. Answers: A Christmas Carol • South Coast Repertory • P5 The Real Meaning of Christmas As it relates to the telling of A Christmas Carol

hat the original “meaning” of Christmas faced extremely harsh, long winters. An evergreen tree has been lost is a common complaint. placed indoors at Christmas was a reminder that the suf- Those voicing it are usually referring to fering of winter would be followed by seasons of rebirth the celebration of the birth of Christ. In and fullness in the coming spring and summer. fact, Christmas customs have much less This experience is difficult to appreciate in the to do with the Nativity than with mid- dry, temperate Southern California climate, where winter pagan agricultural and solar observances dating trees stand more often as fire hazards than reminders of centuries before Christ’s birth. The Roman world, spring. But winter for much of the world is a season of into which Christ was born, celebrated the Festival of dormancy and death in nature; and, in earlier centuries, Saturn from Dec. 17-24, a week of parties and exchang- it was even more a time of frailty fatal to human beings. ing of gifts. The fact that Christmas was celebrated at Charles Dickens’ recognition of human mortal- the time of the winter solstice (Dec. 22, the day ity pervades A Christmas Carol. The deaths of on which is at its greatest distance south Marley and Fan, the Ghosts and the possible of the equator­—hence, the shortest day of the passing of Tiny Tim, as well as the suf- year for the northern hemisphere) connected fering of the poor and the Cratchits’ it with festivals for the unconquered lean Christmas are shadows to be sun. Houses were decorated with dispelled by the light of human greenery and lights, and presents love and the season’s spirit. were given to children and More than a century the poor. later, Octavio Solis, in his Germanic and La Posada Mágica, found Celtic Yule customs similar substance in the worked their way into predicament of his young and reluctant as well. Special foods heroine, Gracie. and feasts, fellowship, The transform- the and ing power of love Yule cakes, was- that Dickens found sailing, greenery in 19th-century and fir trees all London remained commemorated constant in different aspects Solis’ south- of the season. western barrio at Two things were the beginning of the common to all 21st. European midwinter The value festivals in earlier of love and hu- times. Fires and lights, man life is mea- symbols of warmth and sured by the fact that the endurance of life, it doesn’t last forever. It is were a part of both the equation Scrooge pagan and Judeo- comes to know, Christian celebrations. and one which Evergreens, as sym- Dickens fully ap- bols of survival, had preciated. particular mean- ing for Northern —Jerry Patch Europeans who

P6 • South Coast Repertory • A Christmas Carol Other Voices at Christmas “Avarice and happiness never saw each other, how “I believe in , Velasquez and Rembrandt: then should they become acquainted?” in the might of design the mystery of color, the re- –Benjamin Franklin, demption of all things by Poor Richard’s Almanac, 1734 beauty everlasting and the message of “Remorse is memory awake.” Art that has made –Emily Dickenson, these hands Poems, Pt. I No. 69 blessed.” –George “Why should I sorrow for what Bernard Shaw was pain? A cherished grief is an iron chain.” “Create in me a –Stephen Vincent Benet, clean heart, O King David God: and renew a right spirit “I dreamt the past within me.” was never past – Psalms 51:10 redeeming; But whether this “Dickens was a was false or honest mythologist rather dreaming than a novelist: he I beg death’s pardon now. was the last of the And mourn the deal.” mythologists, and –Richard Wilbur, perhaps the greatest. The Pardon He did not always manage to make his characters men, but he “The people that walked in always managed, at the least, to make darkness have seen a great them gods.” light: They that dwell in the –G.K. Chesterson, 1906 land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light Malcolm Kushner relates the story shined.” of a man who chaired the charity –Isaiah, 9:2 committee of his local hospital. He reviewed all the fund-raising “At Christmas I no more desire a rose records and he discovered that the Than wish a snow in May’s richest person in town had never new-fangled mirth; made a donation. So he went to visit But like each thing that in season him. He said, “Our records show that grows.” you’re the richest person in town, –Shakespeare, but you’ve never contributed to the Love’s Labour’s Lost hospital.” And the rich man said, “Do your records also show that my widowed “Dickens is a terrible writer. mother was left absolutely destitute? Do In the original, Scrooge was they show that my brother is totally disabled? mean and stingy, but you never Do they show that my sister was abandonded know why. We’re giving him a with four young children?” By now the chair- mother and father, an unhappy child- person felt really ashamed. The rich man ended, hood, a whole background which will “Well, I don’t do anything for them, so why should motivate him.” I do anything for you?” –President of Screen Gems, 1968

P8 • South Coast Repertory • A Christmas Carol How We Keep Christmas his year we celebrate our 34th staging Read on as some members of the cast and creative team of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. share their stories and memories of A Christmas Carol. Once again, Hal Landon Jr. plays Ebene- zer Scrooge and John-David Keller di- Hal Landon Jr. rects. SCR Founding Artists Richard Doyle 34 years: Actor (Scrooge) and Art Koustik, who have reprised their “As the seasons have gone by, so many people have roles virtually every season, also are back this year. The come up to me during the course of the year and told Christmas Carol cast has become a family, gathering me how much the play means to them. The Christmas each November to do our work. New folks are made kin spirit is revived in them every year, and people who by our veterans; the veterans are invigorated by were children when they first saw it now bring their the newcom- ers. By December we’ve children.” re-created our clan (and our show) anew. But we’re not complete until John-David Keller joined by our greater family: 34 years: Director and Actor (Mr. Fezziwig) our audiences. A few of “Many of my favorite memories revolve you have seen the show around the children in the cast. I always every year since 1980. insist that they not have their own dress- Many of ing room, but share with the adults, so they can really experience what it is like to be part of a production. Of course, the chil- dren are given instruction in rules of behavior that the adults are not. I remember one time ask- ing a father about how his child was enjoying being a part of the show, and the father replied, ‘He’s having you first came the time of his life, and his vocabulary has become with your par- quite colorful.’” ents and are now bringing your Daniel Blinkoff own children. 11 years: Actor () SCR’s A Christ- “A few years ago, on Christmas Eve, our last show mas Carol has for that year, I was waiting backstage for the scene endured because where we glimpse into Tiny Tim’s future. I feel a tug it brings families together. We are reminded to celebrate the season and to consider to- gether Ebene- zer Scrooge’s redemption. The value of love, life and family is heightened by the fact that these don’t last forever. It is the equation Scrooge comes to know, and one our family ap- preciates again each year. John-David Keller and Karen Hensel as Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig (2009).

P4 • South Coast Repertory • A Christmas Carol Reminiscing with Jerry Patch A chat with SCR’s A Christmas Carol adaptor, Jerry Patch

What is your favorite memory of SCR’s A Christmas Carol? I remember getting up at 4:30 a.m. in Huntington Beach dur- ing the summer of 1980 to write the adaptation SCR first presented that Christmas. The sun was up early, blazing across my desk, while I tried to put myself in London in December. It wasn’t that hard—Dickens over- Daniel Blinkoff and Angeliki Katya Harris as Bob Cratchit and powered life at the beach almost every morning. Tiny Tim (2009). on my sleeve, and it’s Tiny Tim. This was a kid How has SCR’s A Christmas Carol changed for you over the with a lot of initial anxiety about performing, years? but through the course of the production he re- That first production in 1980 had SCR’s young company ac- ally fell in love with the show and became a real tors playing roles considerably older than they were. One actor. He says to me, ‘Don’t go on.’ I ask him of the gifts of A Christmas Carol has been watching those why, and he says, ‘If you go on, that means it actors return annually with deeper, more authentic portray- will all be over soon.’” als of characters they’ve come to know very well. To have Hal Landon Jr. as Scrooge and John-David Keller directing for 34 years is truly a treasure, and could only be possible in a theatre like SCR.

Why do you think the story of A Christmas Carol has en- dured? Most writers never manage to create an archetypal role. Charles Dickens created a number of them, and Ebenezer Scrooge is probably the most widely known. Dickens’ ac- count of his redemption is an annual reminder that while we’re alive we still have the capacity to serve others, to reach for greater humanity, and that, as Scrooge comes to know, to do so is a privilege.

There are so many adaptations and variations on the origi- nal Dickens story as part of our cultural holiday tradition. Howard Shangraw and Hisa Takakuwa as Fred and Sally To you, what makes SCR’s adaptation unique? (2000). I think SCR’s decision to create a production set in London, but not specifically British or realistic, has given the show a universal quality that speaks to our Southern California au- Hisa Takakuwa diences. The resultant theatricality of the production makes 15 years: Actor (Sally/Toy Lady/Scavenger), it immediate, accessible and communal for our audiences 8 years: Assistant Director in ways that some of the very good film versions, which “Of all the shows in which I have ever per- rely on specificity and realistic detail, can’t really do as formed, A Christmas Carol is special and inti- well. At the play’s end, our audiences are as much a part mate in its interface between the audience and of Fred’s Christmas party as the actors onstage. the actors. As an actor in the show, and now as an audience member, I have become truly aware Jerry Patch is now director of artistic development at of the emotional flow between the audience and Theatre Club. cast that occurs each night. It really exemplifies the best of the live theatre experience.”

A Christmas Carol • South Coast Repertory • P5 History of ‘A Christmas Carol’

n the late fall of 1843, the 31-year-old author of Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby began writing a story to be published during the Christmas season. With four children and a wife to provide for, flagging sales and decreasing interest in his latest work, Charles Dickens was in need of a career jump start. Moved to action by a Parliamentary report on the plight of child laborers, Dickens visited a copper mine. Appalled by what he saw, Dickens began to develop ideas for his next story—a story that would, in the author’s words, “strike a blow on behalf of the poor man’s child.” He titled the piece The Sledgehammer; more than150 years later, it’s the story known all over the world as A Christmas Carol. About Dickens Success of ‘A Christmas Carol’ harles Huffman Dick- ens was born in Land- riting the story in just six weeks, Dickens told friends that the port (now part of Ports- Cratchits were “ever tugging at his coat sleeve, as if impatient for mouth), England, on him to get back to his desk and continue the story of their lives.” February 7, 1812. In 1824, he was Dickens could hardly have imagined that his tale would become given his first position in busi- beloved by so many. ness in the employ of Warren’s In 1857, A Christmas Carol became the first of Dickens’ works Blacking Factory, Chatham. For that he performed publicly. The Manchester Examiner reported that “there is always six months, the young Dickens a freshness about what Mr. Dickens does—one reading is never anything like a adhered labels to containers of mechanical following of a previous reading.” In 1867 and 1868, Dickens put on blacking, and perhaps unknow- a blockbuster A Christmas Carol tour of the United States, turning a profit ingly, collected material for what of $140,000—nearly two million dollars today. President Andrew would become world-famous Johnson took his family to every performance in Washington D.C., portrayals of Victorian England’s and theatergoers camped overnight in the streets to purchase tickets. working class. By the mid 1800s, A Christmas Carol has been trans- Dickens had achieved wide- lated for readers all over the world and spread fame with the publication adapted into dozens of stage of The Pickwick Papers, Oliver productions, films and even Twist and The Life and Adven- an opera. Though he could tures of Nicholas Nickleby. not have anticipated how A Christmas Carol, like successful his novella would many of Dickens’ other works, prove to be, Dickens has autobiographical elements would surely be hap- woven throughout. Like the py that his story Cratchits, the Dickens were a of the virtues large brood. His own frail, sickly of goodwill brother often was called “Tiny and generosity Fred.” Dickens’ spendthrift father, continues to John, caused the family, except reach millions 12-year-old Charles, to relocate of people to a debtor’s prison for a time. every year. Charles worked in a factory dur- ing this time, and never forgot The Illustrated the experience. London News depicted Dickens Engraving of Charles Dickens from A giving his last Portrait Gallery of Eminent Men and public reading of A Women of Europe and America, with Christmas Carol in Biographies, by Evert A. Duykinck. March 1870.

P6 • South Coast Repertory • A Christmas Carol Christmas Woodcuttings he art of woodcutting was originally developed in China as a means of creating an on paper by carving a block of wood that was then inked and stamped on paper. In England, the technique was mastered by the prolific woodcutter John Leech, whose woodcuttings were used as in the original publication of A Christmas Carol in 1843 (pictured below). Leech and other popular woodcut- ters, such as , used their woodcuttings to echo the themes of poverty, redemption and goodwill in Victorian England. The scenic design of SCR’s A Christmas Carol was inspired by the wood- cuttings and the way they portrayed the glimmers of light and hope during the darkness of Victorian England. But don’t take our word for it; see for yourself!

Scrooge extinguishes the first of three Spirits. Reformed Scrooge and Bob Cratchit. The Fezziwig Ball. Victorian London magine yourself in for the year cost about 25 pounds London in Charles “It is a fair, even- (about $1,900 modern USD). Howev- Dickens’ time. Nearly handed, noble er, this was a luckier existence than two million London- the destitution of those poor folk ers, rich and poor adjustment of things, who would receive aid in the form alike, spill into the that while there is of employment in a workhouse. city streets among the manure left by Dickens made sure the voices thousands of horse-drawn carriages. infection in disease of the unfortunate were heard in Smoke swarms out of chimneys and and sorrow, there his work, along with huge doses of soot coats all that it falls upon. In good humor and myriad evocations parts of the city, raw sewage pours is nothing in the of the joys of home and hearth. He from the gutters into the Thames— world so irresistibly continues to do the same for us to- the main water supply. A common day. In all of his stories, we remem- laborer’s average weekly wage was contagious as ber that there are those less fortunate three shillings, nine pence—that’s laughter and good than ourselves. We remember that approximately 14 modern U.S. dol- there are those willing to change. lars. A loaf of bread cost about two humour.” Most importantly, we remember that pence (65¢ in modern USD) and rent – Charles Dickens there is hope.

A Christmas Carol • South Coast Repertory • P7 Christmas Carol Trivia Games for a 1. A Christmas Carol was 7. Who was surrounded by written by Charles Muppets in the role of Victorian Christmas Dickens in: Ebenezer Scrooge in the A. 1848 Brian Henson film, The FORFEITS B. 1843 Muppet Christmas Carol? o play, the guests choose a “Constable,” the C. 1855 A. Michael Caine British term for a police officer, who then exits D. 1862 B. Ian McKellan the room. Once the Constable is out of earshot C. Patrick Stewart each player “forfeits” an article, be it a pen, 2. Who has NOT played D. Bill Murray the infamous role of brooch, bracelet, etc., into a pile. The Constable enters the room blindfolded and unaware of what object each Ebenezer Scrooge in 8. How many total player has deposited into the pile. The object of the game a film adaptation of A ghosts visit Scrooge on is for the Constable to match the article to the person Christmas Carol? Christmas Eve in SCR’s A by only feeling the object. If the Constable is correct the A. John Wayne Christmas Carol? owner must obey an order of the Constable, something B. Kelsey Grammer A. 2 silly like doing a dance or reciting a funny phrase, to have C. Jim Carrey B. 3 D. None of the C. 4 their item returned to them. If the Con- Above D. 5 stable incorrectly matches the article to the owner, the owner 3. How many years, of the object gives the including this year, Constable something has Hal Landon Jr. silly to do. This con- played the role of tinues until all of the Ebenezer Scrooge in items in the pile have SCR’s production of A been given back. ? Constable wins if he or A. 16 she can match owner B. 22 with article more times C. 25 correctly than incor- D. 34 rectly. At the end the Constable chooses a 4. How many different replacement and the directors have directed Hal Landon Jr. and Richard Doyle in 2009. A Christmas Carol here game starts all over. at SCR during its 34-year 9. How many children do DICTIONARY run? the Cratchits have in his parlor game is not only good for Christ- A. 1 SCR’s production of A mas, but for any occasion. The guests all B. 2 Christmas Carol? receive a piece of paper and a pen and sit C. 3 A. 2 around a table. This game requires a diction- D. 4 B. 3 ary from which each party guest picks a word, prefer- C. 4 ably one that is unknown to the other guests. After 5. In SCR’s A Christmas D. 5 Carol, what is Scrooge’s writing the chosen word down on a piece of paper, he business called? or she must create four definitions for the word, one 10. Who has been with A. Marley & Me being correct and three being incorrect. Then all the SCR’s A Christmas Carol B. Scrooge & Marley words are read aloud with their definitions. The person since its inception? C. Scrooge’s Finances who can identify the most correct definitions wins. D. Marley & Scrooged A. Hal Landon Jr. B. John-David Keller Example: Humbug C. Art Koustik 6. What is Ebenezer A. Something said during Christmastime to wel- D. Tom & Donna Scrooge’s nightly eatery? come someone to a holiday party. Ruzika A. Brown’s Landing B. A person or thing that tricks or deceives. E. Dwight Richard B. Pig & Whistle C. A singing bug. Odle C. Hound & Thorn D. Someone who gives to charities.

D. The Lucky Duck F. All of the Above

mple, B mple, Exa F; 10. Tim); Tiny & Peter Martha, (Belinda, C 9. Marley); (Includes C 8. A; 7. C; 6. B; 5. A; 4. D; 3. D; 2. B; 1. Answers: P8 • South Coast Repertory • A Christmas Carol