Not many know, not long after Scrooge had his sublime epiphany, he backpedaled. He actually brought suit against Jacob Marley, The Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present, and The Ghost of Christmases Yet to Come (among others) for reckless endangerment, emotional distress, attempted murder, et cetera….In The Trial of Ebeneezer Scrooge, these charitable souls are tried for the previously mentioned crimes. They’re defended by Rothschild, a smarmy, excessively solicitous counselor, who tries the patience of presiding Judge Pearson. Like any bench trial, witnesses (both living and deceased) are cross-examined, testimony is given, objections are raised and sustained or quashed. We hear the testimony of Scrooge’s nephew, his sister, the woman who stole his bedclothes and Bob Cratchit.
Of course, we’re going to wonder why Scrooge has this radical relapse. Why has playwright Mark Brown created this quandary? We all know that whatever apparitions visited Ebeneezer on that fateful Christmas Eve, they were motivated by good intentions. Perhaps a couple didn’t mind taking him to task. The appearance of supernatural entities in the courtroom, doesn’t impair their powers. (Some of the special effects are truly spectacular.) I’m thinking Brown probably means the title figuratively. While it’s supposedly others on trial, we seem to be examining Scrooge’s behavior through the lens of their experience with him. Just like in Charles Dickens’ novel. For all the complications and narrative turns, it feels like some questions have already been asked and answered. What’s the catch?
The Trial of Ebeneezer Scrooge is a kind of cockeyed satire. We spend a lot of time being misled, which isn’t necessarily wrong. What we might construe as digressions or asides are establishing tone, once the other shoe drops. It’s not always easy to tell where the show is coming from. All this being said, it’s a goodhearted, mischievous piece, with dedicated, conscientious performances. Any time you can find a fresh take on the traditional Christmas stories, it’s a gift.
The Core Theatre presents: The Trial of Ebeneezer Scrooge, playing December 7th-29th, 2019. 518 West Arapaho Road, Suite 115, Richardson, Texas 75080. 214-930-5338. www.thecoretheatre.org