Theatre Review: Scrooge at Chance Theater

“Scrooge! The Musical” is a heartwarming and festive adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novella “A Christmas Carol” at the Chance Theater in Anaheim. Featuring music, lyrics, and book by Academy Award and Grammy winner Leslie Bricusse (Doctor Dolittle, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory). Directed by James Michael McHale. Music directed by Lex Leigh.

Set in Victorian London, the story follows the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (Bruce Goodrich), a cold-hearted moneylender who despises Christmas and lives a life devoid of compassion and joy. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley (Justin Ryan), who warns him to change his ways or suffer a grim fate in the afterlife.

Scrooge undergoes a profound experience of redemption over the course of a Christmas Eve night, after being visited by the spirits of the holiday season. The Ghost of Christmas Past (Kayley Stallings) transports Scrooge back to his lonesome childhood up to his heartbreaking love with Isabel (Sophie Sonntag). The Ghost of Christmas Present (Winston Peacock) unveils the present condition of Scrooge’s employee Bob Cratchit (Matt Takahashi) with his struggling family and Scrooge’s nephew Harry (Corydon Melgoza) with his party guests. Shedding a light on how truly Scrooge’s influence has been received by his peers and family. The Ghost of Christmas Future unearths what tomorrow brings should the current path lay unaltered and thus sealing Scrooge’s faith in the afterlife.

With a score full of memorable songs, including music for which composer Bricusse received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score for the Albert Finney 1970 film adaptation, “Scrooge! The Musical” from its 1992 debut blends humor, drama, and uplifting messages in a celebration of redemption and the true meaning of Christmas.

“Scrooge! The Musical” stage should look familiar to regular patrons of the Chance Theater as it is a similar set up to their successfully ongoing Literary series of book-stage adaptations like “Emma” and “Secret Garden”. A cleverly designed flexible space that evoke the pages of a book come to life. Projections of still and animated backgrounds on the over-sized written pages of the novel. Feels like being on a Disneyland dark ride. In fact, an earworm song from the musical has played in Disneyland’s “A Christmas Fantasy” parade for many years with the Dickens dance choreography. Musical numbers feel justified and earned not only to push the story but also the characters forward. Nothing feels like it overstays its welcome.

The wholesome holiday tale takes a few liberties for unique spins invigorating fresh takes and engaging viewpoints. Picture frames inventively reused to portray windows. Tongue in cheek moments of self awareness of the story’s retelling nature. Scrooge’s stern interactions with the townspeople further elaborates how he conducts his business relationship with cilents and their rightful distaste in return.

The extra link to the Ghost of Christmas Past pulled on heartstrings. The soulful duet between younger and older Scrooge for happiness with love lost. Performances like Mrs. Cratchit (Megan Sigler) with her direction and delivery sets an emotional weight with her husband regarding a toast to their founder of the feast.

Moments like these were quite prevalent. Regardless of knowing what scene is to be played out, in other productions they felt hurriedly glossed over for the sake of having been written in the book. But here at the Chance Theater, extra care has been taken to really flesh out key moments that should not be overlooked. As if to tell the audience, read between the lines. Or in this case, the pages.

More of these subtle moments can be found throughout. As the Ghost of Christmas Present relay the message “decrease the surplus population”, Scrooge says the same along with him. Emphasizing Scrooge’s recount of his own words refocused on his attachment to Tiny Tim.

Scrooge’s engagement with his newphew’s musical wordplay game is crafty getting our protagonist emotionally attached with unopposed joyful glee. And despite his non-existent presence, engages with the party guests allowing a glimpse of what he would be if actually there.

The Ghost of Christmas Future is not an embodiment of one cloaked figure perceived as Death, but in essence an ensemble of ghostly entities. As if to say the future is not yet set. Many possibilities of open realities determined by our choices. Suitcases positioned as tombstones with Tiny Tim hauntingly strolling by as his father observes his son’s final resting place. Perpetuating the idea for some adults who see children as scary.

Heavy metal chains echoing the sound of rising and dropping bound to Jacob Marley and later forge links to Scrooge. The imagery evoking a “Hellraiser” esthetic. Visually more earnest for Scrooge to change his ways besides a foreboding tombstone with an etched name.

“Scrooge! The Musical” is a beloved and enchanting stage classic playing at the Chance Theater in Anaheim from November 28 – December 21, 2025. With soulful tunes, timeless message, engaging character performances, and signature staging, this production has set a high standard that will be hard to beat. The meticulous detail in story and character development sets it apart and on its own.

For more information including ticket sales, visit https://chancetheater.com/ or call (888) 455-4212.

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