The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge
The Nutshell
A year after his miraculous transformation, Ebenezer Scrooge is back to his old ways and is suing Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future for breaking and entering, kidnapping, slander, pain and suffering, attempted murder and the intentional infliction of emotional distress. We relive the night in question as all of the characters from A Christmas Carol take the stand.
The Backstory
Several months after the tragic events of 9/11, I found myself longing for the days immediately following 9/11. Not the tragedy and horror, but the kindness and generosity shown by mostly everyone in the world. It was a truly wonderful time. Eventually, though, that kindness and generosity disappeared and we were back to our old ways. I imagined that’s how Scrooge must have felt around April. Here he made a vow to keep Christmas in his heart all year long, but those who chastised him for not having the Christmas Spirit were just as guilty. When you think about it, Scrooge’s nephew only comes around every Dec 24th to wish his uncle Merry Christmas. Where is he the other 364 days of the year? The solicitors collect money for the poor but never show up any other time of the year. I feel those characters are self-righteous and hypocrites for not showing up any other time of the year. Why can’t Scrooge’s nephew stop by some random Friday just because he wants to see his uncle? Why don’t the solicitors come by to collect money in summer? The poor and destitute need help all year long, not just at Christmas. So with that in mind, I wrote this play. I hope you like it.
Reviews
“A sequel worthy of Dickens’ approval.”
“Mark Brown’s inventive and delightful play is a worthy new entry into the holiday canon.”
“Hilarious sequel to A Christmas Carol!”
“If there’s any justice, The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge will enjoy a long life in regional theaters for many Christmas seasons to come.”
“Supreme deconstructionist wit!”
“Will leave you guffawing and cheering!”
All of the above quotes are honest to goodness real quotes, not quotes from my mother. (My mother would never use the word “deconstructionist.”)
Production Photos
You can buy it, all year long, at Dramatic Publishing.