On digital for the first time, and available in a 10th anniversary DVD, classic LGBTQ holiday comedy Scrooge & Marley coming this October from Dark Star Pictures.
A joyful adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella A Christmas Carol, the yuletide treat stars David Pevsner, Tim Kazurinsky, Rusty Schwimmer, Bruce Vilanch, Megan Cavanagh, Ronnie Kroell and David Moretti.
Recounted from a gay sensibility, this reimagining of the classic story delves into the background of Ben Scrooge, the rich skinflint who hates the holidays, distrusts love and makes life miserable for everyone in the gay community over which he presides from his base, a music cabaret named Screws. On Christmas Eve Scrooge (David Pevsner) is visited by the ghost of his late business partner, Jacob Marley (Tim Kazurinsky, Police Academy), who wants to free him from his same bitter fate that awaits in purgatory. Scrooge is next visited by three ghosts – past, present and future – who endeavor to lead him back to love.
Returning to the 1970s days of his teen years by the saucy Ghost of Christmas Past (Ronnie Kroell), Scrooge bitterly recalls being kicked out of his home at the holidays for being gay, meeting the young rogue Jacob Marley, the fabulous disco impresario Fezziwig (Bruce Vilanch), and the luckless love of his life, Bill, whose love Scrooge eventually destroys in his pursuit of wealth. The jolly Ghost of Christmas Present (Megan Cavanagh) next whisks Scrooge on a joyous, music filled tour of current holiday sights, including a visit to a lively party hosted by Scrooge’s niece Freda (Rusty Schwimmer) and her expectant partner Mary. An eye opening stop at the home of Scrooge’s long suffering assistant Bob Cratchit (David Moretti), who with his partner Drew is parent to five children including Tiny Tim, leads to the dreaded appearance of the Ghost of Christmas Future (JoJo Baby) whose vision of Scrooge’s terrible destiny leads to his belated redemption and a heartwarming and surprising concluding twist on Dickens’ tale.
Richard Knight Jr and Peter Neville direct from a Knight Jr, Timothy Imse and Ellen Stoneking written screenplay. Featuring original songs by Lisa McQueen and Knight.
Scrooge & Marley releases October 4.
