Independent Arts News Reporting 
Pictured Above: Cameron Knight as Scrooge. Photo credit: Thomas Robert Clarke.
McCarter Celebrates 45th Anniversary Production of A Christmas Carol
By: Keith Loria
Award-winning journalist Keith Loria interviews acclaimed actor Cameron Knight in his first turn as Ebenezer Scrooge at Princeton’s McCarter Theatre this December
For 45 years, McCarter Theatre Center’s annual production of A Christmas Carol has been a cherished part of the holiday season in Princeton, drawing generations of families to celebrate Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of hope, redemption and generosity.
This year, the beloved production heads back to McCarter Dec. 9–28, 2025, complete with a renewed creative spirit under the direction and adaptation of Lauren Keating and led by acclaimed actor Cameron Knight in his first turn as Ebenezer Scrooge.
Since its McCarter debut in 1980, A Christmas Carol has evolved through new interpretations while holding tight to its emotional center. For Keating, who has been involved in nine productions of Dickens’ classic, the key to keeping the story fresh is honoring its human truth.
“Ultimately, I’m interested in storytelling,” Keating said. “It’s about getting to the heart of the story—what made Scrooge the way he is and what is going to make him healed and who exists in this world and how we bring that to life.”
Returning to the original text has been central to her approach, especially in illuminating voices and communities often overlooked in traditional stage versions. Dickens, she noted, wrote a story filled with diverse characters from across 19th-century London society, many of whom don’t typically appear in theatrical adaptations.
“It was great to show the breadth of that world,” Keating said. “It’s funny, it’s scary, and as sadly relevant as ever. When I was prepping this year, kids were losing their SNAP benefits. It’s crazy how timely it is.”
Knight, who played Mr. Fezziwig in last year’s A Christmas Carol, steps into Scrooge’s iconic shoes for the first time, bringing decades of stage experience, including work with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Kennedy Center and Utah Shakespeare Festival.
He noted he sees Scrooge as a far more complex character than the familiar miserly stereotype.
“It’s really figuring out the humanity of this person,” Knight said. “Not wanting to be the stereotypical mean person. Why is he like this? A lot of us are making decisions to keep our families safe and healthy, and sometimes that comes at the expense of others. That’s very real and very today.”
“It’s a lot of material, and I was curious to see if I could still handle it,” Zien said. “It’s always an adventure. I tend to work off panic; that’s my system. Some people are systematic, I just panic and hope it turns into a performance.”
For Knight, who also serves as associate professor and coordinator of Rutgers’s acting program at Shakespeare’s Globe in London, this is a role he has thoroughly enjoyed.
“The language and the journey are what I enjoy,” he said. “It’s similar to Shakespeare—a real journey of a person finding out who they think they are versus how they show up in the world. It’s kind of fun to play the full gamut. I don’t get to be mean in life, so it’s fun to do a little bit of that.”
Both Keating and Knight see a unique bond between McCarter and its audiences. Knight describes the atmosphere as unlike anything else, with generations arriving together in Christmas sweaters, local patrons returning multiple times and the palpable energy that comes from a show woven into community identity.
“You run into people at the grocery store or coffee shop who have an opinion about this story because it’s really their story,” Knight said. “It’s wonderful to be part of something the community embraces.”
Keating echoes that sentiment and looks forward to audiences finding surprises in an old favorite.
“It’s just a great story, and a great classic continues to speak to us,” she said. “It’s been made so accessible, and that’s what keeps people coming back.”
Part of the 45th anniversary experience includes live holiday choirs in the lobby, beautifully decorated trees, photo-ready spaces and a food drive supporting Mercer Street Friends throughout the run. There will also be plenty of festive additions and surprises.
“It’s made with genuine spirit of giving and joy,” Keating said. “I hope people feel how much we care about it—and about them.”
For tickets or more information, visit www.mccarter.org or call 609-258-2787.
