Puckett Publishing

15 men, 13 women, 4 boys, 4 girls. London Chorus, plus several boys and girls.
2 Acts, 82 pages
17 songs

Humbug! follows the Dickens story very faithfully. The opening title number shows how awful Scrooge is, as he terrifies the Londoners. I have added an early, first act, introduction to the Cratchit family, as Bob exits the counting house after being dismissed by Scrooge. After Scrooge encounters Marley in the door knocker, there is a song ("Meanest Man In London") involving the business people he has insulted and preyed upon. It's a clever song, but it is ultimately logistical in nature: Scrooge requires time to change into his nightshirt. After Marley's visit ("Marley's Lament"), the rest of the first act is Christmas Past reminding Scrooge of his history. The act ends on the highly emotional "Value of Love" and "Belle's Farewell." The second act begins with Christmas Present, and follows the story straight through: the Cratchit household, nephew Fred's party, with Scrooge looking on. Christmas Future shows Scrooge the scoundrels who robbed the dead man ("Quite A Lot Of Stuff"). Finally, he is led to the graveyard, and sings "Not the Man I Was", then wakes in his bedroom, exits into Christmas morning, and all is resolved.

Cast of Characters

• Ebeneezer Scrooge. The notorious miser
• Fred Hollister. Scrooge's nephew, kind-hearted and generous
• Bob Cratchit. Scrooge's clerk, browbeaten, loves his family
• Jane Cratchit. Cratchit's wife, strong-spirited and loving
• Tiny Tim Cratchit. Younger son, a cripple. Sweet disposition
• Belinda Cratchit. Younger daughter
• Peter Cratchit. Elder son
• Martha Cratchit. Elder daughter
• Ghost of Jacob Marley. Scrooge's dead partner
• Young Scrooge. Scrooge as a young man, not yet mean-spirited
• Belle/Christmas Future. Scrooge's sweetheart when he was young
• Christmas Present. A large, jovial presence. Either gender.
• Christmas Past. Fairy-like, graceful
• Beggar Tom. A beggar
• Danbridge. A businessman
• Barnsworth. His partner
• Betsy Littleton. Flower-seller
• Fotheringay. Butcher
• Boy Scrooge. Scrooge as a boy
• Fan. Scrooge's younger sister
• Scrooge's Father. A stern man who kept his son at a distance
• Scrooge's Mother. A kind, but not strong woman
• Mister Fezziwig. Young Scrooge's jovial employer
• Mrs. Fezziwig. Fezziwig's wife
• Felicia Fezziwig. His daughter
• Dick Wilkins. Scrooge's friend as a young man
• Lydia Hollister. Fred's Wife
• Topper. Fred's friend
• Elizabeth. A girl whom Topper fancies
• Ignorance. A child who signifies ignorance.  Either gender.
• Want. A child who signifies poverty.  Either gender.
• Old Joe. A fence for stolen goods
• Charwoman. A cleaning woman
• Mrs. Dilber. Scrooge's housekeeper
• Undertaker. Another grave robber
• Ethan A Lad. Street Urchin
• Fezziwig & Fred guests, Londoners
• Schoolchildren
• Governess
• Christmas Sylphies (Christmas Present's entourage). girls

Musical Numbers

“Humbug”
"All We Need Is Us"
"Meanest Man In London"
"Marley's Lament"
"Going Home For Christmas"
"A Simple Wish"
"A Bit Of Punch"
"Fezziwig's Jig"
"Auld Lang Syne"
"The Value of Love"
"Belle's Farewell"
“You've Not Seen the Likes Of Me”
"God Bless Us Everyone"
"He'll Need No Crutch"
"Quite a Lot of Stuff"
"Not the Man I Was"
"A Heart Full Of Christmas"
"God Bless Us Everyone (Reprise)"

Running Time. 2 hours plus an intermission

Set. The action takes place on the streets of London, in Scrooge's bedroom, the Cratchit home and nephew Fred's home.

Read an excerpt.