Cratchit getting to tell his story in twist on ‘A Christmas Carol’ At a glance

Although it’s based on the story of a cruel miser, a new holiday show celebrates love and family.

“Cratchit,” which will end its month-long run at Shadowbox Live on Saturday, offers a contemporary tale of poverty, moral crisis and redemption inspired by Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”

“We didn’t want to just retell ‘A Christmas Carol,’ and I didn’t want Bob Cratchit to be a device for Scrooge,” writer Jimmy Mak said. “He has his own story to tell.”

The company-created jukebox musical focuses on Cratchit, the overworked clerk for Ebenezer Scrooge.

“It’s heartfelt and lighthearted,” said performer Summit Starr, who joined the troupe in January and is appearing in her first Shadowbox Live holiday show.

“Pretty much everyone knows the story of Scrooge, but ‘Cratchit’ puts a new perspective on the story … and broadens the theme about the impact of generosity for those less fortunate.”

Starr plays Emily, Bob’s loyal wife.

“She’s the center of the family, providing the emotional balance,” Starr said.

Starr opens the second act by singing “I’ll Stand by You,” a Pretenders song.

“Emily, who sees Bob’s distress, is trying to express to him that no matter how hard it gets, they will get through it together,” Starr said.

John Boyd plays the title role.

“He’s a hardworking father with four kids. … Bob Cratchit and his wife don’t make a lot of money, but they have a lot of love for each other,” Boyd said.

When their 8-year-old daughter, Tiny Tina (a gender-reversed version of Tiny Tim), needs expensive leg surgery, Bob faces a crisis.

“Bob knows he can’t afford the surgery, and he’s devastated,” Boyd said. “It tears him apart inside that he doesn’t have the financial means to fix his daughter’s problem.”

When most vulnerable, Cratchit is tempted by a bribe from his shady cousin Mikey (Lukas Tomasacci).

“Bob will do anything to try to help his daughter — even the possibility of some illegal stuff,” Boyd said. “But by the end, with help from Jacob Marley’s ghost, Bob realizes that he didn’t make the right decision.”

Of Boyd’s songs, his favorite is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” — the Judy Garland favorite from the 1944 movie “Meet Me in St. Louis.”

“It’s a sweet rendition of the song, just me and the piano,” Boyd said.

The song opens the show as a solo but develops into a large ensemble number that sets the tone for the updated fable.

“The song is about how Bob loves Christmas because that’s when all his family is together and can share joy with each other,” Boyd said.

Boyd, 34, found it easy to identify with his character.

“I like his connection with his wife. Even though they yell at each other, they still love each other deep down — and they know that,” Boyd said. “The moral of the story is the importance of family and love. As long as you have each other, your family can meet life’s challenges.”

Columbus residents Tamara and Richard Woolf took their 12-year-old daughter, Julia, to see “Cratchit” in early December.

“My daughter wants to go see it again,” Mrs. Woolf said. “I liked the music, the story and the theme to be kind to one another. … The blend of Christmas and rock songs was amazing.”

“Cratchit” has attracted enough theatergoers to prompt plans for a 2018 encore.

“This was a great idea that makes it easier for the younger generation to see ‘A Christmas Carol’ from a different perspective,” Mrs. Woolf said.

“Cratchit” Shadowbox Live 503 S. Front St. 614-416-7625, www.shadowboxlive.org 2 p.m. Saturday $25, or $20 for students, senior citizens and active military personnel, $10 for ages 12 and younger