'A Christmas Carol' actor Michael Cerveris names Alastair Sim and Michael Caine as his favorite Scrooges

In the world of A Christmas Carol adaptations, there is no definitive Scrooge. However, some portrayals stand out as iconic. Michael Cerveris, currently starring as Scrooge, points to Alastair Sim from the 1951 classic and Michael Caine from the 1992 The Muppet Christmas Carol as his personal favorites.

"I watch Sim's black-and-white version every year," Cerveris shared, noting that it has shaped the blueprint for many later adaptations. "And, of course, The Muppet Christmas Carol is unbeatable."

Cerveris praises Sim's performance for its blend of fearsome misery and dark humor, as well as the willingness to embrace moments of complete chaos. These qualities are mirrored in Cerveris own portrayal in a non-Muppet stage production currently running at PAC NYC's Perelman Performing Arts Center.

Originally staged at Londons Old Vic in 2017, this adaptation was written by Emmy-winner Jack Thorne and directed by Tony-winner Matthew Warchus. Cerveris describes Thorne's script as emotionally resonant, transforming Scrooge into a character audiences can recognize in themselves and learn from as he evolves.

The play previously ran on Broadway in 2019 with Campbell Scott as Scrooge, earning five Tony Awards, including Best Original Score and Best Scenic Design. For the New York production, Thorne and Warchus enhanced the experience by staging it "in the round," surrounding the audience with the action.

Crystal Lucas-Perry, who portrays the Ghost of Christmas Present, emphasizes the immersive nature of the staging: "We enter and exit through different spaces, bringing depth and exploration. Audiences are part of the magic."

Audience reactions have been enthusiastic, especially during the climactic transformation of Scrooge, which features inventive stagecraft such as fruits and vegetables sliding from the rafters and a Christmas turkey moving along wires, along with moments of falling snow.

Nancy Opel, playing the Ghost of Christmas Past, describes the production as "timeless" and emotionally uplifting, leaving viewers joyful as they leave the theater.

This Scrooge role marks a milestone for Cerveris, coming 20 years after his Tony-nominated performance in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. He notes a connection between the collaborative energy of that production and the current Christmas Carol staging.

Beyond the stage, Cerveris has a SAG nomination for his ensemble work in HBO's The Gilded Age. While he did not return for the third season, he remains hopeful for future developments in the character's story.

Author: Riley Thompson