A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

A Christmas Carol (Harnick/Legrand)

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  6w, 9m, 3girl(s), 3boy(s)

Book and Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Music by Michel Legrand

Incidental Music by Steven Margoshes
Vocal Arrangements by Steven Margoshes and Bob Goldstone

The tale of Ebenezer Scrooge comes to life in this musical adaptation by Academy Award-winning composer Michel Legrand and Pulitzer Prize-winning librettist Sheldon Harnick.

A Christmas Carol (Harnick/Legrand)

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    6w, 9m, 3girl(s), 3boy(s)
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptation (Literature), Christmas/Holiday
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences

Details

Summary

The Academy Award-winning composer Michel Legrand teamed with Sheldon Harnick, one of the theatre's most celebrated Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning librettists, and the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge's prophetic Christmas Eve is reborn. From the pages of Dickens comes this scintillating musical adaptation of the Yuletide classic that continues to touch hearts and minds the world over. This universal story is ultimately one of family and conscience, of desperation and regret and second chances.

Give your audience the holiday gift of embracing its warmth and wisdom as never before, carried on the wings of a soaring theatrical score.

History
After a tryout in several cities in 1981, Michel Legrand and Sheldon Harnick's musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol premiered at the Hartman Theater in Stamford, CT in November 1982.
Keywords
Performing Groups

FRED
BOB CRATCHIT
EBENEZER SCROOGE
MAN COLLECTING FOR CHARITY
WOMAN COLLECTING FOR CHARITY
JACOB MARLEY
GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST
COACHMAN
YOUNG SCROOGE
FANNY
FEZZIWIG
MRS. FEZZIWIG
BELLE
GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT
FRED’S GUESTS: CYNTHIA, GILBERT, JOHN, JOSEPH, MARY, MARTHA
MRS. CRATCHIT
CRATCHIT CHILDREN: ALBERT, BELINDA, LUCY, MARTHA, PETER
TINY TIM
GHOST OF CHRISTMAS YET TO COME
THREE BUSINESSMEN
CHARWOMAN
LAUNDRESS
UNDERTAKER’S MAN
OLD JOE
BOY
POULTERER

ENSEMBLE – Singing-dancing ensemble with several small roles, children and much doubling possible.

  • Time Period Victorian (British and American), 19th Century
  • Setting London, 1840s.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

“A buoyant, tuneful show.” – Worcester Telegram
“Theatrical magic... of the countless adaptations, this one is among the best... dialogue and lyrics are intelligent, the music tuneful and sprightly... a full-fledged musical with plenty of jollity... a smoothly-flowing show that respects its source while preventing it from being a musty museum piece.” – New Haven Register

Music

Act I

1. “Spirit Of Christmas” – Carolers and Company
2. “Icy Ebenezer” – Ensemble
3. “Bah! Humbug!” – Scrooge
4. “Thank Heaven For Christmas” – Fred and Carolers
5. “Thank Heaven For Christmas (Reprise)” – Fred
6. “The Bells Of Christmas Day” – Carolers
7. “Christmas Eve” – Fred and Company
8. “Partners” – Marley and Scrooge
9. “Penny By Penny” – Belle and Young Scrooge
10. “My Two Feet (Polka)” – Fezziwig, Mrs. Fezziwig and Company
11. “Bah! Humbug! (Reprise)” – Younge Scrooge
12. “Close Were We” – Belle and Young Scrooge
13. “Penny By Penny (Reprise)” – Scrooge
14. “Bag! Humbug! (Reprise)” – Scrooge

Act II

15. “Entr’Acte” - Orchestra
16. “Yes And No (Twenty Questions)” – John, Cynthia, Fred, Gilbert, Mary, Martha, Belle and Scrooge
17. “One Family” – Martha, Cratchit, Mrs. Cratchit and Children
18. “Balancing The Books” – Undertaker’s Man, Laundress and Charwoman
19. “Balancing The Books (Reprise)” – Undertaker’s Man, Laundress and Charwoman
20. “One Family (Reprise)” – Martha and the Cratchits
21. “Let There Be Time” – Scrooge
22. “One More Chance” – Scrooge
23. “Spirit Of Christmas (Reprise)” – Scrooge, Tim and Company

Full Orchestration

Synthesizer (the piano/conductor part requires at least one (1) synth keyboard (in addition to the acoustic piano). The synthesizer part requires at least two (2) synth keyboards. A third keyboard, dedicated to soft string sound is recommended. The synthesizer is intended for two players, but can be performed by one by omitting certain portions.)
Piano/conductor

Reed (piccolo, flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto sax)

Bass
Violin II (Solo)

Percussion


Chimes (Tubular Bells)
Glock
Xylophone
Vibes
Timpani
Orchestral Bass Drum
Bell Tree
Triangle
Tambourine
Sleigh Bells
Finger Cymbals
Wood Block
Ratchet
Moracas
Shaker
Cow Bell
Tam Tam,
Whip
Chains,
Scraping Metal Sounds

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Dance Requirements Moderate
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Large
  • Chorus Size Large

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

Concord offers a full suite of resources to help you put on the show of a lifetime!

23 Libretto/Vocal
1 Piano-Conductor Act 1
1 Piano-Conductor Act 2

1 Synthesizer
1 Reed
1 Bass
1 Percussion
1 Digital Logo

23 Libretto/Vocal
1 Piano-Conductor Act 1
1 Piano-Conductor Act 2
1 Digital Logo
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Add-Ons

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Authors

Sheldon Harnick

Sheldon Harnick

Sheldon Harnick (1924-2023) was born in Chicago. Following his service in World War II, he earned a Bachelor of Music Degree at Northwestern University, majoring in violin. After working as a professional musician in and around Chicago, he moved to New York in 1950 to pursue ...

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Michel Legrand

Michel Legrand

Michel Legrand (1932-2019) was one of the most important names in contemporary music. In 1965, he received three Academy Award nominations for his score adaptation and the song “I Will Wait For You” from The Umbrellas of Cherbourg; he was subesquently nominated thirteen times ...

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