INTERVIEW: Join Scrooge at the ‘Big Jersey Christmas Show’ at GSP
Photo: Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Jersey Christmas Show, now playing at the George Street Playhouse, features, from left, Orville Mendoza, Michele Ragusa and Nehal Joshi. Photo courtesy of Daniel Rader / Provided by official site.
The George Street Playhouse in Downtown New Brunswick, New Jersey, is currently playing host to a wild comedy that is perfect for the Christmas season and perfect for the Garden State. Performances of Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Jersey Christmas Show continue at the venue until Sunday, Dec. 21.
The show is a retelling of Charles Dickens’ famous masterpiece, but with a Jersey sentiment imbuing the action and holiday frivolity. The play comes courtesy of co-writers Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen, with Greenberg pulling double duty as the production’s director.
The George Street Playhouse promises that all of the beloved characters from A Christmas Carol are present and accounted for, but everything is a bit more zany, with references to New Jersey and all of the uniquenesses of this character-filled state.
Orville Mendoza plays the role of Bob Cratchit, along with other characters throughout the 75-minute performance. The actor was born in Manila, Philippines, and raised in Southern California, according to his official biography, and his career has amassed a number of high-profile roles, including turns in Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods and Passion. Most remarkably, he performed the character of the Engineer in the second national tour of Miss Saigon; he was with the production for five-and-a-half years. His Broadway credits consist of Pacific Overtures and Peter and the Starcatcher.
Recently Mendoza exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox to talk about this new take on A Christmas Carol and his thoughts on the holiday season. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What did you love about this unique take on A Christmas Carol when you first read the play?
I absolutely loved the zany humor but also that it hits all the story points and all the emotion of the original Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, and it does it all in one act. But even though we don’t take three hours to tell the story, it is still a very full evening (or afternoon) at the theatre.
How difficult is it to portray multiple characters in 75 minutes?
It’s surprisingly easy. As actors we train to have all of these facets of humanity live inside us in a place that is instantly accessible. I think anyone who’s ever read a children’s book to a child and makes each character in the book come to life knows the sensation of what we’re doing onstage. We have the added benefit of lights and costumes and stage fog to help us. Oh, and amazing sound effects too that really become another character in the play.
Are you from New Jersey, or do you “get” the New Jersey sense of humor in the show?
I grew up in Southern California but have now lived in New York for as long as I’ve lived on the West Coast. I do get the New Jersey sense of humor. I get the sense of pride for the state and the people who “tell it like it is” without taking themselves too seriously. In popular culture, New Jersey has kind of become the punchline of jokes, but I hope what we’ve done with this show is to make it a love letter to New Jersey and the amazing people who live here.
Are you generally a fan of the holidays? Do you like this time of year?
Ha! I was just bemoaning to my cast mates the other day how stressed I was this holiday season. Only because I want everyone to feel loved either by getting them the perfect gift or making an appearance at the holiday parties I get invited to. When I get this way, I have to remind myself of the lessons of A Christmas Carol — what if none of your loved ones ever existed? What if you weren’t blessed with friends who just want to have a few drinks with you and catch up because you really haven’t had the time to get together all year? It really puts things in perspective. So, I take a deep breath, take a shot of coquito (homemade gift from a dear friend) and go into the holiday head first!
What can the story of Scrooge teach us in 2025?
No one is an island. We all need each other no matter how independent we think we are. A community of people with diverse backgrounds and skills are what make us stronger. We’re here to hold each other up. It’s just a fact. Also, no one is irredeemable. If you’ll open your heart, you’ll see that love and forgiveness is there waiting for you. A lot of the time, the forgiveness we need is the forgiveness we give ourselves.
What’s it like working at the George Street Playhouse?
They have spoiled me rotten! The kindness of the organization from top to bottom is unmatched. Also, I didn’t realize how easy it is to get here from New York City. Just one New Jersey Transit train from New York Penn and after a very chill hour you’re in historic New Brunswick. Couldn’t be easier. So, everyone, no excuses, no “bah humbugs” — come down and get some magical holiday cheer at George Street Playhouse!
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Jersey Christmas Show, featuring Orville Mendoza, continues through Sunday, Dec. 21, at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Click here for more information and tickets.
