Campbell Scott Dishes On A Christmas Carol

If you’re looking for some holiday spirit on Broadway, look no further than the magical new adaptation of Charles Dickens’s classic story A Christmas Carol. This timeless—and timely—tale of transformation and redemption welcomes theatergoers of all ages into an immersive experience that’s brimming with Christmas spirit. We sat down with Campbell Scott (House of Cards, Noises Off), who plays Ebenezer Scrooge, to talk more about the show.



Broadway Inbound: How has the rehearsal process been so far? Andrea Martin and LaChanze must be very exciting to work with.
Campbell Scott: I worked with Andrea Martin a few years ago in Noises Off. She is a dream colleague. Never stops trying things, refining, questioning. She and LaChanze are consummate pros—funny, dedicated, smart, did I mention funny? And you’ll see them do things in this production that they haven’t done before, I don’t think. The entire cast are triple threats: acting, singing, dancing. I find it difficult to concentrate sometimes because I just want to watch and listen to the show myself. 

BI: If the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future were to visit you, what do you think they would show you?
CS: Oh dear. I prefer when they visit Ebenezer. My ghosts are still deciding what they want from me. 

BI: The story of A Christmas Carol takes place in the past, but what do you think audiences of today can learn from it?
CS: There’s a reason some stories don’t go away. Hamlet, Frankenstein, Our Town. They’re specific but accumulatively they work on another level. Like great music. Redemption, hubris, self-reflection, needs of the individual vs. needs of the community. These themes never go away, so the writers and artists who explored them with courage and originality don’t go away either. 

BI: Your father, George C. Scott, famously played Ebenezer Scrooge. Did that influence your decision at all to take on this role?
CS: He’s a wonderful Scrooge. It’s one of my favorite things he ever did. Initially, that could have influenced me to say no to trying it. But the only thing that really influences my work decisions is would I want to watch it myself. After reading Jack Thorne’s adaptation and talking to [director] Matthew Warchus about his take on it, it was an easy decision. I’ll steal what I can from all the Scrooges and hopefully figure out a few new takes on it for myself. 

BI: Do you have a favorite holiday tradition in New York City? After seeing A Christmas Carol, what do you recommend people do?
CS: NYC is made for Christmas. Walk in Central Park while it’s snowing, support a local choir, take your kids skating. Try to be kind. 

BI: Everyone knows the story of A Christmas Carol, why should they come and see this stage adaptation that will set it apart from the rest?
CS: No matter how much noise and information we are submerged in daily, there is still nothing like a good story told simply and gracefully. Jack and Matthew and everyone involved in this production, onstage and behind the scenes, are dedicated to the idea that we all deserve to experience that. This version stays true to Dickens’s recipe while cooking it up in a new and exciting way. Treat yourself. 


A big thank you to Campbell Scott for taking time out of his busy schedule to talk to us. A Christmas Carol starts previews on November 7 for an 8-week limited engagement. If you don’t want the Ghost of Christmas Future to show you missing out on this magical production, then get your tickets now by visiting the show page below!