Marley's story told in OurSpace Theatre's 'Carol'

One Christmas Eve night, Ebenezer Scrooge's business partner and only friend, Jacob Marley, dies.

Seven years later, Marley appears to Scrooge, warning him to change his ways or "his soul would be bearing heavy chains for eternity."

So begins "A Christmas Carol," the holiday classic by Charles Dickens.

But what happened before that fateful night?

"What happened to Marley? Why is he a ghost coming back to haunt Scrooge?"

Those are the questions answered in "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol," a one-man play opening this week by a brand new theater company, OurSpace Theatre.

And it stars a very familiar face.

With 40 seasons at Pioneer Theatre, and more than 100 roles under his belt, veteran actor Max Robinson will star as Marley and 16 other characters in the play.

Talking to Robinson over the phone about his upcoming star-turn almost feels like a party-line as he slips in and out of character accents with ease.

"I play 16 characters," he said. "I play Scrooge and all the ghosts and the bit parts."

"That's certainly one of the challenges, differentiating between the characters," he said. "And that's part of the fun."

Robinson sings the praises of his director, Justin Ivie. "That's the only way to do a one-man show. With a savvy director. It's a very important bond — you're the only two in rehearsal."

"The other challenge is you don't have the safety net on stage in terms of other actors."

Robinson likens the show to the feel of the hit musical "Wicked."

"We learn, who is this witch, how did she become green, why is she evil?"

" 'Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol' is much the same way. It's such a fun behind-the-scenes look at what made him who he is."

Marley finds himself in hell and is aided by an imp who whispers in his ear.

"They sign a contract with the record keeper, and they need to save Scrooge's soul."

Audiences at Pioneer Theater have loved Robinson since his first show (he was still a student at East High), and they have applauded his ability to morph into many roles, from Thenardier in "Les Miserables," to Lady Bracknell in "The Importance of Being Earnest" and Cogsworth in "Disney's Beauty and the Beast."