Name a performance genre and you will likely find an adaptation of “A Christmas Carol,” a novella written by the English author Charles Dickens in 1843.
There are hundreds of them. The classic work is “required reading” in the Christmas canon and has been portrayed in theatrical productions, musicals, dramatic readings on stage and radio, on podcasts, feature films, made-for-TV movies, Christmas episodes of TV sitcoms and drama, ballets, graphic novels, comic books and on and on.
A fairly recent feature film (“The Man Who Invented Christmas”) and a historical fiction novel (“Mr. Dickens and His Carol”) even imagine the challenging circumstances in which Dickens came to write the story in the first place, portraying the author as a Scrooge-like struggling writer who meets the Christmas deadline for his story —and redemption — just in the nick of time.
“A Christmas Carol” is the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a greedy miser who hates Christmas but has his heart melted through visits by four spirits: His former business partner Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet To Come.
Through the ghosts we quickly learn how he came to be such a mean and seemingly unredeemable human being.
On Dec. 15, Henderson Area Arts Alliance will present “A Christmas Carol” as part of its performance season in a 2 p.m. matinee performance at Preston Arts Center. It’s a musical. (Info, tickets: haaa.org.)
Meanwhile, for holiday viewing of every taste, here are some versions of Dickens’ story to enjoy (plus one to listen to.)
• “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” 1992
In this kid-friendly production, Michael Caine plays Scrooge surrounded by muppet actors Kermit (Bob Cratchit), Miss Piggy (Mrs. Cratchit), Fonzie Bear (Fozziwig), and others. The terrifying Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come scares off Gonzo (narrator Charles Dickens) and Rizzo the Rat. With singing vegetables and two ghosts, it has something for everyone.
• “Scrooged,” 1992
Bill Murray plays a selfish, callous TV executive who is visited by some very lively spirits, including John Forsythe (Jacob Marley-esque), David Johansson (the cigar-smoking, taxi driver Ghost of Christmas Past) and Carol Kane (the excitable Ghost of Christmas Present). Murray stages an inappropriate live television broadcast of “A Christmas Carol” on Christmas Eve after he’s already trampled on employee morale in many ways.
• “Scrooge,” 1970
In this musical version, Albert Finley plays Scrooge with songs by “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” composer Leslie Bricusse. The Oscar-nominated production features Sir Alec Guinness as Jacob Marley.
• “A Christmas Carol,” 1984
George C. Scott’s portrayal of the miser is among the best with a range of emotions as he first sneers at his nephew, begs for a second chance from the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come and laughs with joy at doubling Bob Cratchit’s salary.
• “A Christmas Carol,” 1999
Actor Patrick Stewart once mastered a one-man stage show playing all the characters in Dickens’ tale and also plays a convincing Scrooge in this television adaptation. His joy at discovering the spirit of Christmas is total. Joel Grey is an unusual Ghost of Christmas Past.
• “The Man Who Invented Christmas,” 2017
As almost a story-within-a-story, it tells the familiar tale of Scrooge, Marley and the three spirits while shining a light on the life of the book’s author. Dan Stevens (“Downton Abbey”) plays Charles Dickens.
• “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” 1983
This animated version is good entry level viewing for the younger set. Scrooge McDuck, of course, plays Scrooge and Mickey Mouse is the under-appreciated Bob Cratchit. Goofy is the ghost of Marley.
• “A Christmas Carol,” 1951
Stage actor Alastair Sim is considered by many to have mastered the best portrayal of Scrooge with a range that makes his transformation very believable.
• “Ghosts of Christmas Always,” 2022
This is one for fans of Hallmark Christmas movies. The story follows Katherine, a Ghost of Christmas Present, as she helps one soul rediscover his Christmas spirit.
• “Spirited,” 2022
Scrooge is a smug CEO (played by Clint Briggs) in this musical that also co-stars Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell (Ghost of Christmas Present) and Tracy Morgan (Christmas Yet to Come.)
• “A Christmas Carol,” 2009
This Disney animated film has actor Jim Carrey voicing Scrooge along with all three ghosts. The voice cast also includes Gary Oldman (Bob Cratchit), Colin Firth (nephew Fred) and Bob Hoskins (Fezziwig).
• “A Christmas Carol,” 1938
This MGM version with Reginald Owens as Scrooge is a glossier version with the Cratchit family portrayed as more affluent.
• “A Christmas Carol,” 1938 radio broadcast
This version is led by Orson Welles and his players and features Lionel Barrymore as Scrooge. It’s totally faithful to Dickens’ words with the classically-trained Welles making the novel jump. Surprising sound effects for the 1930s and Barrymore’s voice seal the deal.
