ASF Study Materials for by Charles Dickens adapted by Geoffrey Sherman Director Nancy Rominger Study materials written by Set Designer Paul Wonsek Susan Willis, ASF Dramaturg Costume Designer Elizabeth Novak
[email protected] Lighting Designer Tom Rodman Contact ASF at: www.asf.net Sound Designer Will Burns 1.800.841.4273 1 by Charles Dickens adapted by Geoffrey Sherman This Spirited Tale A Christmas Carol is one of the most familiar and loved of Christmas tales, which is just what Dickens hoped it would be. The old miser, Scrooge, is saved from his own skinflinted, The Characters hard heart by the ghost of his late business Charles Dickens, partner, Jacob Marley, who chastizes him and author and magician sends three Spirits to teach Scrooge a lesson about caring for his fellow man. Dickens's idea Ebenezer Scrooge, a could not be clearer—material things are of less businessman import than those of the spirit. Bob Cratchit, his clerk The Spirit of Christmas Past shows Scrooge his own childhood and youth, his dreams and Fred, Scrooge’s nephew chances for love, all ruined by his greater love of Charity men, collecting for poor money. In turn, the Spirit of Christmas Present Jacob Marley, the ghost of shows Scrooge contrasting celebrations—the Scrooge’s late partner party at his nephew Fred’s house, to which Scrooge refused an invitation, and the dinner at Spirit of Christmas Past his clerk Bob Cratchit’s home. In both gatherings warmth and good wishes abound, despite the Fan, Ebenezer’s sister poverty and illness haunting the Cratchits.