There was something really lovely about this play's stage potential and I would love to see it performed one day. Richter really understood the needs of all characters, making for an honest, touching, and deeply tragic backstory to one of the English canon's most iconic characters.

In "A Christmas Carol" we get some of Scrooge's backstory. But we never see the story of the Scrooge and Marley partnership. Adam Richter here suggests it might have been more than a mere business arrangement. Even so, love was unable to overcome the cold view of the world both of them shared. Marley's visit to Scrooge in the original story is poignant. His death in this one is even more so. And the stage direction for the sound of unwinding chains at appropriate moments is chilling. It's an excellent new look at perhaps over-familiar characters.

This is so beautiful. And tragic. If you didn't know Scrooge would get another chance in the next chapter, thanks to Marley, it would be absolutely heart breaking. But the consequences Marley suffers are dark and miserable. My hopes are that he and Scrooge will both be free of their chains in the far off future. These characters, including the nurse, are so well defined in their own world here. This is a must for holiday programming! Especially amongst the LGBTQ+ theatres! Take note!