Production Notes
Characters
(4-6 females / 4-5 males)
Mr. Tackleton
Caleb Plummer Berta Plummer Mrs. Havens Mae Havens Dot Havens John Peerybingle Mr. O'Leary* Señor Torres* Old Man* Sister Magdalene* Tilly Charlie |
A miserly coal baron.
A poor man who repairs toys. His peculiar daughter. A humorless window & boardinghouse proprietress. Her daughter; engaged to Mr. Tackleton. Her elder sister. Her best beau; a humble deliveryman. One of Vaudeville’s Irish tenors. A South American matador. A mysterious visitor. A nun with rugged features. A less-fortunate child. Her big brother. |
*For the sake of economy, roles marked with asterisks should be played by one actor.
The roles of Tilly and Charlie may be cut; lines may be altered. Charlie may be a pants role.
The roles of Tilly and Charlie may be cut; lines may be altered. Charlie may be a pants role.
Time
Place
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The Late 1800s.
A Mining Town in the Rocky Mountains.
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Short
Description |
It's a Christmas-themed story penned by Charles Dickens, but [Spoiler Alert!] it's not A Christmas Carol. Rather, it's the story of a melancholy young woman who's resigned to wed a humorless miser; it's the story of a deliveryman whose sweetheart has proven false; it's the story of a Santa Claus suit in want of a wearer; and, not least of all, it's the story of a ubiquitous cricket that always knows exactly where to interject an impertinent chirp.
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Music
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The musical interludes may provide a segue between scenes and/or intermissions. Selections may be vocal and/or instrumental, solo or ensemble; but they must be consistent with the period of the piece. A buoyant melody, such as “I Saw Three Ships,” may be used to introduce a light-hearted scene. A sombre melody, such as “I Wonder as I Wander,” may be used to punctuate a melancholy one.
The song that Mr. O’Leary sings must be appropriate to the play’s time, place, mood, situation, etc. It should also emphasize the singer’s unique talents and vocal range. Lines may be altered as needed. The play’s producer must secure the rights to the song selected. |
Screen
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At several points in the action, it may be useful for images to appear on a screen. Projections may help establish locations. Cameo appearances and/or scenes viewed through the kitchen window may occur in silhouette.
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Improvisation
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During Tackleton’s interaction with the audience, improvisation is certainly permissible. Also, it may be helpful to go through advance ticket sales and find a married couple. The wife can receive the first gift; the husband, the second.
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