“Scrooge,” Noel Langley’s 1951 black-and-white film adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” is perhaps the most celebrated version of the holiday classic. Notable among the several solo “A Christmas Carol” performances are those featuring Guy Masterson, Patrick Stewart, and Dick Terhune. But none of these matches the filmed version starring Jefferson Mays which is based on the acclaimed 2018 production which made its world premiere at Los Angeles’ Geffen Playhouse, and which is now available worldwide through video on demand.

Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays (“I Am My Own Wife”) gives a masterful performance as the “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner” Scrooge who is unrepentant, devoid of kindness, and eschews any belief in the importance of making good choices. The solo actor portrays “A Christmas Carol’s” each of the sixteen main (and numerous stock) characters with a unique voice (timbre, tone, volume, pitch) and character (gesture, body movement, arms/legs movement, facial expression, etc.). This is a daunting task which Mr. Mays navigates with equanimity and proficiency.

As narrator and playing a multitude of characters, Jefferson Mays is supported in this creative success by Dane Laffrey’s multi-location scenic design, Ben Stanton’s multi-mood lighting design, Lucy Mackinnon’s stunning yet unobtrusive projection design, Joshua D. Reid’s sound design, Cookie Jordan’s hair and makeup design, and James Ortiz’s puppet design. The contribution of each designer creates a “character” that supports Mr. Mays through each of the five staves of “A Christmas Carol.”

This collaboration is no more evident than in the engaging encounters with the three “ghosts” who lead Scrooge to the threshold of redemption and release. At no time does the audience member think the spirits are not present with Scrooge. The suspension of disbelief reigns!

“A Christmas Carol” reminds “the one percent” of the responsibility of the rich (individually and globally) to secure the safety and well-being of the poor. Amid the “wave upon wave upon wave” of the COVID-19 pandemic, this has proven to be an essential lesson for those who have been able to survive the economic challenges caused by the pandemic: Those not surviving are not responsible for their predicament. Scrooge’s ability to recognize his need for redemption and his need for showing kindness are essential lessons for the present and future survival of the planet.