Scrooge & Marley is a modern day, queer variation on Charles Dickens’ classic, “A Christmas Carol.” Recounted from a gay sensibility with heart, comedy and music direct from Screws gay bar! The magic of Dickens’ timeless tale comes alive from a fresh perspective that will appeal to audiences of all persuasions.

A gay successful piano bar owner Ebenezer “Ben” Scrooge (David Pevsner) despises Christmas and other people; he also mistreats and underpays his employees. One night, Scrooge encounters the ghost of Jacob Marley (Tim Kazurinsky)—who died ten years before the film—in chains, warning him that Scrooge would have the same fate in afterlife as Marley’s, and that the three Spirits of past, present, and future will visit him.

After he goes to sleep, Scrooge encounters the Ghost of Christmas Past (Ronnie Kroell), who transports him to the 1970s. There, they see Ben’s father (Michael Joseph Mitchell) kicking Young Ben (Drew Anderson) out of the house after seeing Ben make love to one of his male classmates. Ben later befriends young disco club employee Jacob Marley (Nicholas Bailey) and is hired by the club owner Fezziwig, who treats him like a son.

Young Ben develops a relationship with Bill (Christopher Allen), whom he met at Fezziwig’s club. Over the years, Ben, Jacob and Fezziwig become co-owners of the club and expand their business, however Ben and Bill’s relationship becomes strained when Ben increasingly focuses more on his career and money and neglects Bill.  Eventually Bill leaves and shortly after dies of AIDS, with Ben too busy to visit beforehand.

Later, Ghost of Christmas Present (Megan Cavanaugh) transports him to his niece Freda’s (Rusty Schwimmer) house, where she and her partner Mary (Amy Matheny) gather a Christmas Eve party. Then they transport to the house of one of Scrooge’s overworked and underpaid employees Bob Cratchit (David Moretti), where he lives with his male partner and their adopted children, including an ill child Tiny Tim (Liam Jones). 

Then the Ghost of Christmas Future (JoJo Baby) covered in a black robe transports him to a bleak future Christmas, where no one is remorseful about his death. The spirit transports Scrooge to the Cratchit home, where the family mourns Tiny Tim’s death, and then to the scene of Scrooge’s death and his tombstone inscribed: “E. Scrooge”.

As with the original story, Scrooge promises to turn his life around and be a nicer person, by donating to charities, giving employee raises and bonuses, and providing that notorious large turkey to the Cratchit family. Some time later, Scrooge honours his deceased lover Bill, takes care of Fezziwig with a motorized wheelchair, is a dedicated uncle to Freda and Mary’s baby, becomes Tiny Tim’s father figure, and starts another relationship. Merry Christmas to all!

Available from Darkstar Pictures

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.