Get to Know David Beach, Portrayer of Ebenezer Scrooge in the Guthrie's 50th Production of A Christmas Carol

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

This year the Guthrie Theater celebrates their 50th anniversary of producing A Christmas Carol. 

David BeachArtistic Director Joseph Haj recently commented that A Christmas Carol is not just gratuitous holiday fluff.  Per Haj, “A Christmas Carol is everything we talk about when we talk about the theater. This is the work that’s meaningful to people. This is a work that changes people. A Christmas Carol is about the hardest work any of us will do, which is to actually change ourselves.”

The character we watch change over the course of the play is, of course, Ebenezer Scrooge. David Beach, in his Guthrie debut, takes on the iconic role. We talked to him about his inspirations for playing Scrooge, and what he learned about Scrooge and himself after delving into the role. Don’t wait to the last minute to book your tickets to this classic holiday event – playing now through Sunday, December 29 on the Wurtele Thrust Stage. Get tickets here.

Q:  Congratulations on being cast as Ebenezer Scrooge in the Guthrie Theater’s production of A Christmas Carol. How do you approach portraying such an iconic character like Ebenezer Scrooge?

A:  I am beyond thrilled and honored to take on this role at the Guthrie, especially for the 50th production of this beloved story, at this renowned theater. The Guthrie is an institution where I dreamed of working, and Scrooge is a role I have always wanted to play.

The opportunity to play Scrooge is a bit daunting. At my core, I am an actor who is driven by the power of collaboration, so my fundamental goal is to commit to finding how I uniquely meld into this extraordinary cast assembled by director Addie Gorlin-Han. How do I uniquely fit into the extraordinary community of artists and artisans at the Guthrie? How do we all share this work with the community?

On stage as Scrooge

When approaching a role like Ebenezer Scrooge, my first thought is to find where I live within his narrative; What moments in my past do I wish to relive? When have I let people down? I relate not only to Ebenezer’s profound sense of regret, but also his heartfelt, almost giddy joy at getting a chance for a do-over. This is where the underlying power of the piece lies for me, hope. There is nothing more powerful to experience right now than envisioning hope for a better future.

Q:  Have you been inspired from any previous portrayals of Scrooge in films or theater? Will you add any personal touches to the role? How will you make the character your own?

A:  One of my favorite film performances is Alastair Sim’s portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge in the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol. I have watched it a dozen times. I’m always astonished by how flawless he is in the role. What makes his performance even more moving is how he was primarily celebrated for his comedic strengths but gives one of the most pragmatic and honest performances I have ever experienced on film. As someone who gets cast in comedic roles, I am struck by the intrinsic honesty of a “clown” and how comedy and tragedy live a razor-width apart. My own portrayal of Scrooge is informed by how moving, honest, and humorous Sim’s portrayal was, much still filtered through my own lived experiences and impulses.

Q:  What was the most surprising thing you learned about Scrooge while preparing for this role?

A:  How profoundly moving Scrooge’s journey is. For the play to work he needs to experience the depths of darkness. Addie Gorlin-Han’s brilliant directing encourages us to not only embrace the darkness that is a ghost story, but also celebrate the cathartic transformation of Scrooge and the light that emerges at the end of the play.

Q:  Are there aspects of Scrooge's personality or journey that resonate with you personally?

A:  I wish I could say that I have nothing in common with the character, but the brilliance of Dickens’ work is that we all can relate to Scrooge (Lavina Jadhwani’s adaption is masterful in its honesty and faithfulness to the text.) I have been startled during rehearsal with how much I resonate with the character. I turned 60 this year, and that kind of milestone has allowed me to have what I would call a “Janus moment” — looking at my future in a way that is informed by my past. It is remarkable I have been given this opportunity at this point in my life.

Q:  What do you hope Guthrie audiences take away from your portrayal of Scrooge?

A:  When I see theater, I want to be able to feel I sat in the dark with a bunch of people who I didn’t know, experienced something that will never happen in the exact same way again, and we all emerged somehow different from that shared experienced. That is my biggest wish for this production…and that people know my mutton chops are real!