“Scrooge! The Musical” Conjures Spirits to Charm Everyone—at Sonoma Arts
Leslie Bricusse Un-Scrooges Our Favorite Holiday Classic
by Jenyth Jo
Some Scroogey people who don’t like musicals may stay away from Sonoma Arts’ “Scrooge! The Musical.” What a huge mistake that would be. The singing and dancing make this family-friendly show much more fun than the traditional “A Christmas Carol.”
Multi-talented director Larry Williams also plays Scrooge, who utters blasphemous lines like “My savior is money,” and “I hate Christmas.” Scrooge’s songs reveal his misguided priorities: “Everywhere you go / Everyone is a thief.” As he sings, “I hate people,” folks to my left and right share a smile and a smirk, as we unite against the Man.
When the wonderful David Shirk, as Jacob Marley, enters and tells Scrooge “Mankind is our business / but we seldom attend to them,” Scrooge begins to bend. Shirks’ lovely baritone ranges from ghastly to pleasing. Marley brings grim stories of his ghoulish life in Hell, as he drags the chains and weights of every stingy deal he’s ever made.
In Scrooge’s nightgown and robe, Williams is divine. Ranting “Bah Humbug!” and accusing destitute people in debtors’ prisons and workhouses of stealing his tax money, he could be Elon Musk or any oligarch who rejects taxes for the general welfare. Williams’ Scrooge becomes truly detestable.
Yet Williams’ exuberant acting and compelling singing inspire empathy later. Through the visitations of the Spirits, Scrooge is transformed from skinflint to philanthropist and we are filled with joy.
As director, Williams’ projections of rooms and street windows add interest. Set designer Gary Gonser’s spinning canopy bed, and a few subtle and funny entrances turn this community theater musical to magic. Phantom dancers, choreographed by Bridget Cadoni, appear and recede. We hear snippets of Autumn Terradista’s incredible voice. Keep an eye on this young one.
When the ensemble becomes a Victorian chorus, the magic envelops us. Cat Smith’s Ghost of Christmas Present sings beautifully, and the ensemble’s “December the 25th” and “I Like Life” show Scrooge a better way to live.
By the time the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come appears, the entire house is clapping wildly for this hopeful vision. The ensemble sings “Thank you very much” exuberantly as debtors learn their crueT creditor is dead.
Strong choreography and singing elevate our feelings. Funny how the death of a hated person brings such cathartic joy. We know “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me” will inhabit our dreams for many days. I don’t mind the ear-worm.
“Take your goose and stuff it in that huge turkey,” says redeemed Scrooge. He’s bought the largest turkey in town as a splendid gift for Bob Cratchit’s family. When he saves the charming Tiny Tim, played by Kathryn Arisman, she sings a lovely reprise of “Happiness.”
Is “Happiness the folly of fools?” Nope. This Scrooge finally decides to drink the milk of human kindness and love others while he can. Sonoma Arts’ un-Scrooge makes the season jolly again.
“Scrooge the Musical” –book, music, and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, adapted from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and the 1970 movie Scrooge, directed by Larry Williams, choreographed by Bridget Codoni, music directed by Sherrill Peterson, and costumes by Barbara McFadden.
Info: sonomaartslive.org - to December 21, 2025.
Cast: Kathryn Arisman, LC Arisman, Brooklyn Boatright, Sara Curtis, Owen Hardisty, Andrew Herold, Julia Holsworth, Thaddeus Louviere, Nicole Love, Addie Lowe, Barbara McFadden, Juliette Peterson, John Sellen, David Shirk, Cat Smith, Autumn Terradista, and Larry Williams.
