After the last of the Christmas goose was eaten and the presents put away at the Cratchit house, what happens next to the characters in “A Christmas Carol” is left to the imagination. Charles Dickens wrote that in the years after his adventures with the spirits, Ebenezer Scrooge “knew how to keep Christmas well.” Yet actor, playwright, former Channel 4 weatherman and West Jordan City Councilmember Bob Bedore felt that there was more of Scrooge’s story to be told.

“I always wanted to bring Scrooge and Belle back together,” Bedore explained. Playing the role of Scrooge as a young man at Hale Centre Theatre, Bedore joked about it backstage. Later, as a founding member of Off Broadway Theatre, Bedore wrote a comic sequel exploring what happens to Scrooge, “Christmas Carol Part 2.” The show will be presented Nov. 1 through 30 on the stage of Draper Historic Theatre.

Ebenezer Scrooge (Eric Jensen) and Belle (Chelsea Grant) reconnect in the Off Broadway Theatre comedy sequel, “Christmas Carol Part 2.” (Photo by Nic Brown/Off Broadway Theatre)

 The musical parody, which is now over 30 years old, has “been done all over the place, in theaters all over the West,” Bedore said. “I’ve updated it a little bit for this version. I wrote it as a big comedy but there’s also an idea there about the true meaning of giving. There’s a lot of heart to the show.”

In “Christmas Carol Part 2,” the familiar characters have been turned upside down, with comic results. Embittered by years of mistreatment by Scrooge, Bob Cratchit is embezzling money aided by a conniving Tiny Tim. Scrooge is giving everything away out of fear and once again Jacob Marley and three new Christmas spirits who aren’t exactly sure what they are doing--must step in to teach Scrooge new life lessons.

Off Broadway Theatre co-founder Eric Jensen and actor George Anderson play the role of Scrooge in alternating performances. “This is my first time playing Scrooge,” Anderson said. “It’s fun being in a parody show where it’s all about having fun and making people laugh.” 

There is plenty of Off Broadway Theatre’s signature goofball humor in the updated comedy bits. “The boy who fetches the goose for Scrooge in the original play now has his own food delivery business, ‘Dash-to-your-Door,’” Anderson said. He also mentioned the new Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come who speaks in Gen Z slang.

Anderson explained that behind the jokes is a real message. “Scrooge has to learn that it’s not just about giving money, but giving of himself. It’s important to do the work of helping and serving people,” he said.

Ane Genessy, one of the actors who plays Belle, said, “Years later, Scrooge is figuring out what is really important to him.” That includes the possibility of rekindling his romance with Belle. “They see each other on the street,” Genessy said. “The spirits show Scrooge what his relationship with Belle was and what the future would hold.” She described the show as “fun, heart-warming and heart-felt.”

“This is a new take on a story that that’s been done every year,” Boston Smith commented. Smith, who plays Tiny Tim as “a spoiled brat,” said that he is having a lot of fun with his role. “I love how I’m able to just go all in on it and make big choices as an actor,” he said.

Bedore, who plays Bob Cratchit, also spoke of finding joy in playing the role. “It’s great to be able to do it again. The real blessing of this show for me is performing with Eric again,” he said. “After 20 years we have this ‘one mind’ for comedy.”

Tiny Tim (Boston Smith) and Bob Cratchit (Bob Bedore) are up to no good in the Off Broadway Theatre comedy sequel, “Christmas Carol Part 2.” (Photo by Nic Brown/Off Broadway Theatre)

“Christmas Carol Part 2” marks the end of an era for the Off Broadway Theatre which is leaving Draper. The company has been sharing the stage of Draper Historic Theatre for the past four years, but is now seeking a permanent home.

For now, however, the Off Broadway Theatre will present “Christmas Carol Part 2” at Draper Historic Theatre on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1 through 30. Draper Historic Theatre is located at 12366 S. 900 East. For tickets visit theobt.org.