Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” celebrates the hope of the season

Mark Goetzinger (center) stars as Ebenezer Scrooge in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s one-hour production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. (Photo provided)

One-hour production on select dates at Beef & Boards

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s one-hour production of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, opens Friday. The stage adaptation of the beloved tale about redemption against all odds features traditional carols and is on stage for just 10 performances through Dec. 22.

Ebenezer Scrooge is a miserly businessman whose bitterness has increased with age. He cares little for the needs of his fellow man, preferring to keep money in his pocket rather than coal on the fire. His employee, Bob Cratchit, faithfully endures the ongoing chill from both his workplace and his boss.

Ebenezer Scrooge (Mark Goetzinger) grumbles as he pays Bob Cratchit (Jacob Butler) and agrees to give him the day off for Christmas in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s one-hour production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. (Photo provided)

Faithfully, he keeps Scrooge in his prayers even though his own family struggles to survive on the meager salary he earns. The health of Cratchit’s young son, Tiny Tim, is as poor as the family is financially, but Scrooge’s heart is unmoved, and his coffers remain unopened.

Scrooge’s inhumanity stirs the spirit of his late business partner, Jacob Marley, who appears to him on Christmas Eve. Warning Scrooge of the fate that awaits if he does not change his ways, Marley tells him that he will be visited by three more spirits and advises to heed the messages they bring. The ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come then appear to Scrooge in succession – reminding him of what was, pointing out what is, and showing him the bleak and lonely future he’s destined for should he continue on his present path. Not only will his life be quickly forgotten if he maintains his miserly ways, but those around him face hardships that he could have easily prevented.

Ebenezer Scrooge (Mark Goetzinger) admits to the Ghost of Christmas Past (Vickie Cornelius Phipps) that he regrets how he treats his clerk, Bob Cratchit, in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s one-hour production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. (Photo provided)

Mark Goetzinger plays the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, with Jacob Butler as Bob Cratchit, and Michael Davis as Jacob Marley. Joining them are Bradley Allan Lowe as Fred, and Bridgette Ludlow as Mrs. Cratchit. The ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come are played by Vickie Cornelius Phipps, Jonathan Studdard, and Austin Stodghill, respectively.

Ebenezer Scrooge (Mark Goetzinger) is horrified to see his name etched on a gravestone as he sees his future in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s one-hour production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. (Photo provided)

A Christmas Carol is directed by Elizabeth Stark Payne and choreographed by Ron Morgan. Music arrangements are by Michael Hoagland, with Debbie Myers as musical director.

Limited tickets remain for Beef & Boards’ production of A Christmas Carol. Tickets, which are extremely limited, range from $41 to $49 and include Chef Larry Stoops’ holiday buffet. Parking is always free. For tickets, show schedule, or additional details, visit BeefAndBoards.com. For more information, call the box office at (317) 872-9664.

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Indiana’s only year-round professional dinner theatre, has been serving up exceptional entertainment since 1973.

Mark Goetzinger (left) is Ebenezer Scrooge and Imani Dancler is Tiny Tim in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s one-hour production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. (Photo provided)