Defining Scrooge - World Premiere at the Longmont Theatre Company

A corrupt money-lender and banker learns the errors of his selfish ways, and gives back to his community. The story of A Christmas Carol feels as relevant today as it did in 1843, when it was first published.

It’s a fitting choice for a company entering a new chapter of its own. This holiday season marks The Longmont Theatre Company’s first under new leadership, and they were determined to start strong.

Their season opener, You Can’t Take It With You, was a triumph. “It’s a classic play, and the response from the community was so overwhelming,” said Rob Mess, Vice President and Artistic Director. “It has fueled our fire to bring more shows to that stage.” Now, Mess is channeling that momentum into the company’s ambitious holiday production, Defining Scrooge.

The theatre enters its 69th season this year, performing in its 285-seat space it has called home since 1991.

Mess is no stranger to A Christmas Carol. He has acted in and directed the show numerous times, including two productions during his 11 years in New York City. The idea for a fresh take took root after the theatre’s previous production of the classic drew huge crowds. Defining Scrooge, an original adaptation with a brand-new script, will now make its world premiere on the Longmont stage.

To keep audiences returning—and to strengthen the theatre’s long-term sustainability—Mess decided to invest in originality. “It’s about finding a way to sustain this community theatre,” he said. Local businesses have stepped up to help, including Bricks on Main Street, which provided much-needed rehearsal and audition space.

Music director Bob Wood brings his own history with A Christmas Carol—his son played Tiny Tim in 2012, and his wife appeared in the show in 2018. Together, Wood and Mess wondered what a fully original musical version might look like. Wood’s local rock band will perform live during Defining Scrooge, giving the production a contemporary and unexpected sonic edge.

The cast reflects the community itself: 20 children and 22 adults, creating an environment where actors of all ages learn from one another.

Mess has expanded Scrooge’s character far beyond the miser we meet in Dickens’ tale. In this adaptation, Scrooge becomes more three-dimensional, shaped by the relationships, losses, and choices that led to his isolation. Audiences will glimpse his home life, his father, and his beloved sister—gaining insight into the heartbreaks that hardened him and the forces that made spiritual intervention necessary.

Belle, Scrooge’s lost love, takes on a powerful new role as the narrator and co-lead. Through her perspective, the story gains emotional weight and clarity, offering a richer understanding of Scrooge’s transformation.

At its core, Defining Scrooge is a story about connection—what it means to stay connected to others, to community, and to oneself. Themes of money and power are contrasted with the healing, grounding force of collective unity. The play asks audiences to consider what happens when people choose compassion over isolation.

“We are really excited to bring this world premiere to the stage at Longmont,” Mess said.

But the production is more than a standalone show. Defining Scrooge serves as the launch of The Longmont Theatre Company’s new Stages Academy, a children’s theatre program designed to give young performers not only a chance to act, but also a voice in shaping future projects. It’s a long-term investment in youth, creativity, and community engagement.

Defining Scrooge will run December 5–7 and December 12–14, 2025, at The Longmont Theatre Company.