Invasion: Christmas Carol

Conceived by Travis Sharp

Written by the Dad’s Garage ensemble

Returning Black Friday

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Invasion: Christmas Carol, or IXC, is a beloved comedy experience combining the best of improv and traditional scripted theatre. Click the video to watch the story of its creation and legacy as told by those who know it best: the ensemble and creative team of the show past, present, and yet-to-come!

Funny. Fresh. Heartfelt. Unforgettable!

A Christmas Carol like you’ve never seen it before.

Replace your regular holiday tradition with a Dad's Garage tradition: kicking classic theatre in the tookus! The award-winning Dad's Garage ensemble skewers and twists the quintessential holiday play, A Christmas Carol, in our Dad’s Garage original show, Invasion: Christmas Carol! 

In addition to the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet-to-Come, Scrooge and the rest of his Dickensian universe is visited by a new, wacky surprise character in each performance (past invaders include The Little Mermaid’s Ursula the sea witch, Hocus Pocus’ Sanderson Sisters, The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Thanos, William Shakespeare, and Macho Man Randy Savage?!) that even the cast members can’t predict! Come watch Scrooge's past, present, and future unfold in a new and unpredictable way each night!

The Plot

You don’t know the plot of A Christmas Carol? Oh, boy…

The setting: London, England sometime in the 1840s (unless the invader insists otherwise.)

Crotchety Ebenezer Scrooge, the wealthy and miserly owner of counting house Scrooge & Marley, hates Christmas and houses a deep antipathy for the plight of his fellow man.

However, before the ghost of his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley, appears in his home on the night of Christmas Eve with a warning to Scrooge to change his ways or suffer forever before he is subsequently dragged into a supernatural journey through his Past, Present, and Yet-to-Come by three eponymous ghosts, a random invader steps into his counting house with an offer and heretofore unknown connection that Scrooge—and everyone else who has and will ever know him—cannot refuse!

 

IXC Special Performances

  • Dad’s Garage is going to the Alliance Theatre for ONE NIGHT ONLY! Invasion: Christmas Carol is invading the Alliance Theatre for a special seasonal visit!

  • On Pride night, a percentage of all ticket sales go to support Atlanta Pride! The invading improviser is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, but we have no idea who they might choose to portray in their invasion. The only way to find out is to grab a ticket and have a fantastic time at the theatre.

  • We can’t say whether our nighttime invaders will be family-friendly or not (it would spoil the surprise!) but our matinees are guaranteed fun for the whole family.

  • It may be Invasion: Christmas Carol, but here at Dad’s Garage, we love to celebrate all holidays. On Hanukkah Night, our invader is played by a Jewish performer ready to rock the show in a new and celebratory way for the season!

  • On ASL night, our performance is interpreted by a licensed English to ASL interpreter. All are welcome to enjoy Invasion: Christmas Carol!

Invasion: Christmas Carol in the Media

Dad's Garage presents 'Invasion: Christmas Carol' - Peachtree TV
‘Invasion: Christmas Carol’ brings improv zaniness to Dad’s Garage - Rough Draft Atlanta
'Invasion Christmas Carol' at Dad's Garage takes the classic tale and spins it on its head - WABE.com
What is Invasion: Christmas Carol? An interview with Maged Roushdi - ArtsATL
2022 Director Maged Roushdi and actor Karen Cassady detail “Invasion Christmas Carol” - WABE
Lois Reitzes speaks with IXC 2021 director Perry Frost and actor Maged Roushdi - WABE
Dad's Garage: Invasion Christmas Carol - Fusing Improv in a Scripted Play - watch the interview with the 2019 cast

Invasion: Christmas Carol Photo Gallery 2025

Photo credits: Casey Gardner Ford, Ember Pearson, and Chelsea Patricia Photography
The scene depicts a theatrical production with actors in costume, including a character lying on a table with exaggerated props, and others showing animated expressions of excitement or surprise in a setting resembling a cozy, vintage room.
Two men dressed in theatrical costumes, one with a frown and the other smiling, standing behind a wooden railing decorated with green garland with red berries, in front of a large clock face on a brick wall, during a stage performance.
Person dressed as Santa Claus on a stage, holding a cane, with one arm raised and mouth open, wearing a fur-trimmed coat and a Santa hat, in a theatrical setting.
The image shows a theatrical performance with two actors. One actor dressed as a villain with chains and dark clothing, reaching toward a second actor sitting in a chair. The second actor is dressed as an elderly person, smiling and holding a hand to
Two men in a tense confrontation indoors, one with a gun pointed at the other, set against a red wall with decorations.
A performer on stage with a microphone and a red hat, smiling, interacts with an audience member who is clapping. Other performers are nearby, and audience members are watching and smiling.
Actors performing a comedic scene on stage with a set resembling a clock tower, featuring a woman with purple hair, a man in a black coat, and others in colorful costumes.
Two actors on stage, one woman with tattoos and a bandana, holding a sword, and a man in a black coat and hat, holding a cane, near a large clock on a brick wall. Stage lighting highlights their confrontation in a theater setting.
Two actors on stage in a theatrical play, one woman in a gray suit with a red bow tie looking amused, and one man in a dark coat, scarf, and hat with an expressive facial expression, in front of a red and brick background.
Two women performing in a play, one dressed as a maid and the other in a light blue suit with a red bow tie, both singing or talking expressively on stage.
Four people dressed as Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and a man in a tuxedo on stage during a Christmas play or event.
A diverse audience watching a performance, with a man standing and gesturing, and Santa Claus pointing from the stage.
A person dressed as Santa Claus handing a gift card to another person in costume, with a woman in holiday attire watching, on a stage with a red background.
A man in a leather jacket and sunglasses threatening a woman with a gun in a theatrical stage scene.
Three adults, two men and one woman, are holding dolls and toys on a stage with a brick wall and clock in the background. The man on the left is wearing sunglasses and a leather jacket holding a toy gun, while the woman is smiling and holding a doll.
Three men on stage dressed in theatrical costumes, one in a black coat with a tall black hat, another in sunglasses and a leather jacket holding a dish, and the third with a red top hat and a drink, possibly in a scene from a play or performance.

Invasion: Christmas Carol Photo Gallery 2024

Photo credits: Chelsea Patricia Photography and Nick Scacchetti
Performer in a lion costume holding a script on stage with a cityscape mural background.
Actors performing on stage with one person dressed as a troll or fantasy character, raising their hand, while others watch, in a theatrical play setting.
Actors performing on stage, with one woman dressed in a costume resembling ancient Egyptian attire and others in modern clothing, set against a backdrop with Egyptian hieroglyphs.
A man with curly hair, glasses, and a beard wearing a velvet red coat over casual clothes, holding a tie or scarf around his neck, standing against a concrete wall with a wooden door in the background.
Theatrical performance of actors on stage, some raising guns, others holding props, with a backdrop resembling a Western setting.
Three people on stage in costume, one dressed as Willy Wonka holding a candy, another in a colorful outfit, and a third in a red velvet coat and white hat.
Four actors performing on stage, one holding a teddy bear, two wearing hats, one with a cane, and another in a white shirt with a tie, engaged in a theatrical scene with a painted backdrop.
Actors performing on stage, the woman dressed as an elderly character with a bonnet and shawl holding a feather duster with googly eyes, and the man in a white shirt, striped tie, and khakis holding a blue plush toy.
A person holding a blue plush toy and a phone on stage during a performance, with other actors in the background.
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