A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, commonly known as A Christmas Carol, is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech. A Christmas Carol recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. After their visits, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man.

This adaption has been written by Ray Manfredi, and incorporates all of what is true to Dicken's original tale, including his poems, text, and nuances.  Absent is the commercialization that may have been added over years.  Audience members will see all of what they have witnessed on television and movies over the years and then some added values of Dickens true words and thoughts never presented on stage.

Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol during a period when the British were exploring and re-evaluating past Christmas traditions, including carols, and newer customs such as Christmas cards and Christmas trees. He was influenced by the experiences of his own youth and by the Christmas stories of other authors, including Washington Irving and Douglas Jerrold. Dickens had written three Christmas stories prior to the novella, and was inspired following a visit to the Field Lane Ragged School, one of several establishments for London's street children. The treatment of the poor and the ability of a selfish man to redeem himself by transforming into a more sympathetic character are the key themes of the story. There is discussion among academics as to whether this is a fully secular story, or if it is a Christian allegory.

Published on 19 December, the first edition sold out by Christmas Eve; by the end of 1844 thirteen editions had been released. Most critics reviewed the novella favourably. The story was illicitly copied in January 1844; Dickens took legal action against the publishers, who went bankrupt, further reducing Dickens's small profits from the publication. He went on to write four other Christmas stories in subsequent years. In 1849 he began public readings of the story, which proved so successful he undertook 127 further performances until 1870, the year of his death. A Christmas Carol has never been out of print and has been translated into several languages; the story has been adapted many times for film, stage, opera and other media.

A Christmas Carol captured the zeitgeist of the mid-Victorian revival of the Christmas holiday. Dickens had acknowledged the influence of the modern Western observance of Christmas and later inspired several aspects of Christmas, including family gatherings, seasonal food and drink, dancing, games and a festive generosity of spirit.

Stage Door Productions, Inc. has provided theatre opportunities in the Fredericksburg, Virginia community since 1999. Through main stage shows, youth productions, camps, and other educational programming, Stage Door has touched countless individuals in the area who seek the unique experience that is live theatre. Our Stage Door family includes theatre professionals, late-blooming novices, talented amateurs, aspiring youth, enthusiastic supporters, and appreciative audiences.

Our season includes between nine and twelve main stage plays per year, produced by Stage Door or other area production companies under a partnership agreement, as well as an original One Act Play Festival, and two youth performances and multiple workshops for both young and old. We provide performing arts camps for youth and workshops for all ages. Our program also includes Stage Door Stars, a theatre enrichment experience for our special needs' community. As a thriving arts organization, our goal is to continue to grow and develop in new ways, seeking to increase theatre opportunities for all facets of our community. 

Come join us in our new 6,000 square foot facility with both a 44 foot main stage seating two hundred on eight tiered levels and our playhouse theater for smaller productions.    Stage Door is living up to our core value statement as we now offer under a shared basis the facility to other local theater groups, partnering with all, to truly bring the THEATER TO ALL, and keep the arts alive in our community through shared resources.

Thank you to Lifetime Corporate Benefactor Manfredi Insurance Group - Allstate of Northern Virginia who generously provided over $60,000 to help build the new THEATER FOR ALL, and the on-going via a $60,000, and the ongoing annual Good Hands Grant - supporting the Allstate Community Theater of Fredericksburg project.

The Mission

Stage Door Productions, Inc. entertains and inspires audiences, provides an outlet for artistic expression and creative passion, educates and enriches area youth, serves children with special needs, and preserves locally the art of live theatre through performances, programming, education, and outreach in our community.

The Vision

Stage Door Productions, Inc. envisions a thriving theatre community in Fredericksburg, Virginia where the theatre arts are celebrated, community members of all ages and backgrounds are engaged in the local theatre scene, and creative collaborations and partnerships are encouraged to foster a greater appreciation for the arts in our area and beyond.

The Core Value

Stage Door Productions believes in Theater For All!

Volunteer Today

Come Break A Leg with us – Volunteers of all experience levels are desired and welcomed with open arms.  Whether you want to be a star or stay behind the scenes, we have some great opportunities for you to learn more about the theater and arts.  Join us today.