• Jehan Aloysius to bring Dickens to life in 2025  

‘A Christmas Carol’ is one of those quintessential Christmas stories of the unlikeable miser who discovers the Christmas spirit with some nudging from beyond the grave. 

On 6 December, Jehan Aloysius unveiled the first preview of his musical rendition of ‘A Christmas Carol’ – a musical that tells the story of Charles Dickens’s famous novella with a song and a dance, literally. 

Jehan is no stranger to Sri Lanka’s theatre scene. The Founder of CentreStage Productions, he is known for his innovative storytelling and commitment to crafting meaningful productions, with ‘A Christmas Carol’ being his newest musical adaptation. The preview performance, staged for a small selection of friends, corporate supporters, and media, offered a glimpse into what he hopes can become a cherished Christmas tradition for local theatre lovers.

Jehan’s rendition of Dickens’s classic tale transforms the timeless story, focusing on the core elements of redemption and generosity while weaving in themes that resonate deeply with modern audiences.

The preview performance was small, being staged in the auditorium of the Alliance Française, and for many reasons – from limited space to the fact that it was a preview that told the whole story of the otherwise two-hour musical in 50 minutes – was staged minimally, with the audience being left to imaginatively interpret what the full-scale production could look like. 

However, Jehan shared that the full production planned for November 2025 would be a visual spectacle unlike the other more minimal and industrial shows CentreStage Productions has staged in the past. 

“It’s going to be one of our biggest shows,” Jehan shared. “We don’t normally do multiple casts and suchlike, but we want ‘A Christmas Carol’ to have that impact and be a big show and a visual spectacle. We will be holding auditions from early to mid-2025 and will be opening up all the roles to build a large ensemble.” 

The preview performance of ‘A Christmas Carol: The Musical’ was brought to life by a talented cast that included Jehan Aloysius as Scrooge, Dion Nanayakkara as Young Scrooge, Angelo Gamage as Bob Cratchit, Harshith Karunaratna as Fred, and Reihan Stephen as Jacob Marley. 

The roles of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future were portrayed by Joanne Aloysius, Roshni De Bond, and Isuru Ranatunga, respectively, with Ramiru Dahanayake playing Child Scrooge and Dinali David playing Isabelle. 

Supporting roles were performed by Vinuri Weerawardena as Fred’s Wife, Purnima Pilapitiya as Mrs. Cratchit, Kevin Lawson as Tiny Tim, Hathim Asgerally as the Blind Man, and Mishka Fernando as Mrs. Fezziwig. 

Behind the scenes, the production relied on the skillful sound and lighting management of Thilina Ranatunga and Harshana Rathnayaka, with invaluable support from the CentreStage Productions team, the ushers, and backstage crew, all of whom worked tirelessly to create a memorable experience.

The story of ‘A Christmas Carol’

Following the preview, The Sunday Morning Brunch sat down with Jehan for insight into the journey to creating ‘A Christmas Carol: The Musical’. He shared that the concept had been in development for over two-and-a-half years, beginning in 2022. 

“At the time, my aunt was unwell (we sadly lost her earlier this year), and I was trying to figure out how to create a new musical – something that could become a part of an annual Christmas tradition and be dedicated to my mum, Carol, hence ‘A Christmas Carol,’” he explained.

This perspective was shaped by Jehan’s previous work with soldiers with disabilities through the CentreStage Theatre Workshop, as well as the other charity and community-building work CentreStage Productions takes on, not for fanfare but for bettering the world around them.

What started as a small, one-time idea quickly grew into something much larger. For Jehan, the story became a vehicle to explore not only the relationships we share with family but also the ways in which we connect with the less fortunate. 

“When Scrooge changes, others around him change too. It’s not just about giving money – it’s about inspiring others to improve their quality of life and find fulfilment,” he noted.

The musical also features a unique collection of songs, many of which were adapted from Jehan’s earlier works. “Some songs were written for aborted projects or smaller productions but have found a home in ‘A Christmas Carol,’” he shared. 

One such song is ‘Rainbows in Your Mind,’ originally written for another piece, which has found new life in this musical. Jehan likened this process to that of a jeweller: “It’s like finding the perfect setting for the stones you already have. The songs needed the right story and this was it.”

However, the music isn’t merely an add-on to Dickens’s original narrative. Jehan expanded certain aspects of the story, including Scrooge’s love story with Isabelle. Drawing on personal experiences of regret, he added depth to the characters’ emotional arcs, bringing them closer to modern audiences.

At the same time, Jehan ensured that his adaptation honoured the spirit of Dickens’s work. “There are phrases in the original text that are so beautifully written that you don’t want to adulterate them. But I’ve also added new dialogue that feels true to Dickens’s style,” he explained.

Jehan envisions this version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ as more than just a musical – it’s a celebration of the Christmas spirit, emphasising charity, generosity, and community. 

“I’m not a person who goes to church, but I believe in the god within us. This play celebrates the spirit of giving and generosity, not tied to any single religion but as something universal,” he reflected.

The production also aims to normalise community giving. Jehan hopes it will inspire audiences to give not just money but also their time and effort to help those in need. 

“It’s almost magical to think someone will show up with a turkey and gifts, like in the original story. But what we need now is to inspire others to give – whether it’s money, time, or kindness,” he said.

This ethos is at the heart of Jehan’s creative process, as he envisions his musical as a catalyst for change, encouraging people to engage with their communities meaningfully.

Staging ‘A Christmas Carol’ in 2025

Jehan has ambitious plans for the full production of ‘A Christmas Carol: The Musical’ scheduled for November 2025. The preview performance offered audiences a taste of what’s to come, but the full production promises to be even more spectacular.

Auditions are slated to open after April 2025, with Jehan aiming to build a larger ensemble and include fresh talent. “I loved this cast. They worked so hard and we became a family. But for a larger production, we’ll need a bigger ensemble and more movement and choreography,” he shared.

Jehan also envisions staging the production over multiple nights with possible alternate casting for key roles. “We don’t normally do multiple casts, but for something this big, it would be ideal. It’s one of the biggest shows we’ve worked on,” he said.

However, staging a production of this scale comes with its challenges. Reflecting on the preview, Jehan acknowledged the financial hurdles of productions such as this. 

“Big shows like this require funding well in advance. In the past, with other productions, we thought we had enough, but costs increased and we had to cover some expenses from other sources, including increasing ticket prices, which I was very reluctant to do as I strive to keep ticket prices as affordable as possible. This is impossible to do successfully without the right support from corporations. 

“It’s always worth it to give audiences a fantastic show, but we’ll need more support moving forward,” he noted.

Despite these challenges, Jehan remains optimistic about the musical’s future. His vision extends beyond the November 2025 production; he hopes the show will become a lasting tradition. 

“I’d love for this to be something that continues long after I’m gone. Tiny Tim could grow up to play young Scrooge – it could be a cycle that goes on for decades,” he mused, sharing that this was something that happened frequently with shows overseas, where they become  long-running productions that spawn traditions and families of their own. 

Jehan is deeply appreciative of the support he has received so far, from his cast and crew to the audiences who attended the preview. “This was an investment in my actors and the future of this production. Even if they’re not in the big show, they’ve had their moment to shine, and that’s what matters to me,” he said.

Looking ahead, Jehan hopes to inspire not just audiences but also other artists to embrace the spirit of generosity and collaboration. “Theatre is about community and this musical embodies that spirit,” he concluded.