Charles Dickens’ timeless classic gets a new, contemporary spin. The central character, Carol, is a quirky, demanding, preoccupied head of a home-shopping-network-esque company; a kind of cross between Meryl Streep’s character in The Devil Wears Prada and Paula Deen. Naturally, she hates Christmas and demands that everyone work until the last minute on Christmas Eve.

Her poor, put upon assistant, Blythe (Bob Cratchit in the classic) is grateful for her job but tremendously overworked and has a very sick daughter, Trina (Tiny Tim in the classic) who is, of course, precocious, funny and smart beyond her years.

Carol’s recently deceased business partner, Joelle (Jacob Marley in the classic) has left her a video message to be given to her on Christmas Eve wherein she warns her to take stock of her life and lifestyle before it’s too late.

Instead of ghosts, Carol is visited on Christmas Eve by specialists she employs: a regressional therapist (she hypnotizes her and helps her look back at her life and what made her this way — the Ghost of Christmas Past in the classic), a shaman (who gives her Owaska tea so she can truly see the world around her — the Ghost of Christmas Present in the classic) and a Tarot Card reading fortune teller (the Ghost of Christmas Future in the classic).

We see the flashback of her first working experience as an intern with the Forresters (The Fezziwigs in the classic) and a flashback to her first love, Blake (Belle in the classic).

We see Blythe and Trina at home and learn that Trina is in danger, health-wise. We meet Carol’s niece, Fiona (Fred in the classic) and learn that Carol is invited again to Fiona’s humble Christmas Eve party to which she never goes.

Then we get a Tarot card reading which turns up three cards (each one a musical production number): The High Priestess, The Lovers and, of course Death. Death has never appeared in any of her readings so this freaks her out. All of these events have a cumulative effect and after a very vivid, musical nightmare, Carol sees herself and decides to change; and instead of ostracizing herself decides to immerse herself.

She goes back to the office and celebrates with what little staff is still there. She drops in on her niece’s Christmas Eve party and then convinces them to join her and bringing cheer to Trina and Blythe who are doing their best to remain positive. Carol is charmed by Trina and allows Trina to negotiate a full partnership for Blythe (Trina’s mother).

Carol locates her long-lost love, Blake who is now a widower. He is also clinical physician and knows of a drug trial that he could get Trina into.

So, it’s all the same predicaments, eye-opening awareness and epiphany for the central character with a modern twist. Carol also gets a chance at getting her man back, Trina gets a chance at getting well, Blythe gets to be a partner and Fiona gets a promotion. And Carol spreads a new cheer and vows to engage and trust her employees as The Forresters did.