Director John H. Hulse has announced open auditions for Second Street Players’ 2023 holiday show, A CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE MUSICAL. Auditions will be held on Friday, August 25 at 6 PM and Saturday, August 26 at 1 PM at SSP’s Riverfront Theater, 2 S. Walnut St; Milford, DE.
Auditions will consist of reading from the script. Auditioners should come prepared to sing the familiar song, “Jingle Bells” (first verse – “Dashing through the snow…” and chorus) and be prepared to move (please dress comfortably). The show is performed by a large cast of actors ages 6 and up. The cast should be available for technical rehearsals, which are scheduled for the week of November 12 - 16, and November 19 - 21, 2023, and must be available for all performances, which are November 24, 25, 26, December 1, 2, and 3, 2023.
Based on the well-known book by Charles Dickens, A CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE MUSICAL, written by Lynn Aherns and Mike Ockrent, provides a wonderfully fresh look at Dickens’ classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghostly visits he receives one Christmas Eve. Music and lyrics are provided by Broadway heavy-hitters Alan Menken (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Disney's The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors) and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Seussical, Once on This Island). Originally produced at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York City, this beloved Christmas tale is sure to provide a festive afternoon or evening of entertainment for the whole family!
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE MUSICAL Character Descriptions
Ebenezer Scrooge - A man who lost his father to creditors as a kid and has grown up heeding his father’s advice to save his money. Until his journey with the three ghosts, he is a grouchy old miser who has grown cold and mean-spirited. (Male, 40-65+ yrs old Range: A3 - G5) Tenor/Baritone Moves well
Bob Cratchit - A father and husband who works hard and cares deeply for his family, particularly his youngest son. (Male, 30-40+ yrs old Range: A3 - E5) Tenor/Baritone
Ghost of Christmas Past / Lamplighter - An ever cheerful, kind, zany, sprightly, joyful, graceful, comedic ghost guide to Scrooge and his past. Very energetic. (Male or Female, 20-60+ yrs old Range: A3 - G5 or A4 - G6) Tenor or Soprano
Ghost of Christmas Present / Sandwichboard Man - A jovial, larger-than-life ghost who comes to show Scrooge all the joy, love, and celebration all around him. Very vaudeville. Icing on the cake if this person can tap dance/ soft shoe or fake it well. (Male, 35-65+ yrs old - Range: A3 - G5 ) Tenor/Baritone Moves well
Ghost of Christmas Future / Blind Old Hag - A beautiful and terrifying wrath, the Ghost of Christmas Future is strong, silent, creepy, eerie, captivating as she shows Scrooge what will happen to him if he continues down the path he is currently treading. (Female, 50-65 yrs old - Range: A3 - G5) Moves well. Soprano. Preferably able to belt
Jacob Marley - The spirit of Scrooge’s former business partner. Comes back as a ghost in chains to warn Scrooge of how his life decisions will bind him in the afterlife. Good comedic timing. (Male, 40-65+ yrs old - Range: A3 - A5) Moves well Tenor/Baritone
Tiny Tim - Mr. and Mrs. Cratchit’s youngest son. He is crippled and sick, but is the definition of loving Christmas spirit. Represents the Christmas spirit with hope and goodness. (Male, 6-12 yrs old - Range: A3 - E5) Treble/Boy Soprano
Fred Anderson - Scrooge’s nephew and only living relative. He is a compassionate, joyful man who believes in the good the Christmas spirit can make in the world. (Male, 25-35 yrs old - Range: A3 - F5) Baritone
Sally Anderson - The wife of Scrooge's nephew Fred. Tired of having Uncle Scrooge over for Christmas dinner each year.
Mr. Fezziwig - A jolly and kind bank owner and Scrooge’s first boss who threw a huge Christmas party every year. (Male, 45-65+ yrs old - Range: A3 - B5) Must be able to move. Tenor
Mrs. Fezziwig - The cheerful, consummate hostess, she loved to help throw the Christmas party every year. She is prideful, fun, and sassy. (Female, 45-65+ yrs old - Range: A3 - A5) Must be able to move. Soprano
Mrs. Cratchit - Tiny Tim’s mother and Bob’s wife. She is a loving, hopeful, and generous mother who tries to provide the best for her children with what she’s got. (Female, 30-40+ yrs old - Range: A3 - E5 ) Mezzo-Soprano
Young Ebenezer Scrooge at 18 - Scrooge with the happiness of his youth and deeply in love with Emily. Sincere, yet money driven. (Male, 18-25 yrs old) Tenor/Baritone Must be able to move.
Emily - Scrooge at 18’s fiancé. Joyful and kind-hearted, then realizes Scrooge loves money more than her. (Female, 18-25 yrs old - Range: A3 - B5) Moves well Soprano
Young Jacob Marley - Starts business with Scrooge at 18 and shares a similar mindset of greed. (Male, 18-25 yrs old) Must be able to move. (Undertaker, Punch-and-Judy man)
Mr. Smythe - Recently widowed. Hopeful. Poor and in debt to Scrooge. Father of Grace.
Grace Smythe - Daughter of Mr. Smythe. Sad yet hopeful.
Martha Cratchit - Daughter of Bob and Mrs. Cratchit, sister to Tiny Tim.
Scrooge at 12 - A poor orphan who works all day at a boot-making factory. Tired of poverty, he vows to save his money and make his fortune. He desperately misses his parents and wants to find a home of his own. (Male, 10-13 yrs)
Beadle - A worker in the royal exchange bank
Old Joe - A ragpicker who scavenges off the dead. Mr Hawkins
Jonathon - Fun street urchin. Comedic.
Mrs. Mops - Maid for Scrooge.
Judge/Poulterer/Charity Man
Scrooge at 8/Ignorance
Jack Smythe/Ignorance
Scrooge's father/Undertaker/Charity Man
Scrooge’s mother
Fan at 10
Fan at 6/Cratchit child
Other roles: charity men, townspeople, factory workers, gravediggers, elves, bankers, acolytes, street vendors, Pantomime girl, lower class ladies, sailors, ghosts, jailers, clerks, monks, Cratchit children, charwomen, factory workers, grannies, Fezziwig party-goers, creditors, dancing girls, children, chorus of child angels, …
Those needing more information, unable to attend the audition but interested in auditioning, or being part of the production crew, should contact John H. Hulse at 302-245-4147.
A Christmas Carol: The Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI).
Second Street Players values diversity and inclusion in casting, and in all other areas of production. The show is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowments of the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on DelawareScene.com.
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