AUDIO: 'Scrooge' Actor Brian Cox Talks A CHRISTMAS CAROL in Modern Age of Income Inequality

President Obama recently likened the Congress' threats to send American over the fiscal cliff to Ebenezer Scrooge sending Bob Cratchet home without a Christmas goose for Tiny Tim. In the interview below, film and stage actor Brian Cox (X-Men 2, Rushmore, Troy), who will be playing the iconic role of Scrooge for the first time in WNYC and WQXR's A Christmas Carol: A Radio Drama tonight, joins Takeaway to talk about how a character brought to life in 1843, is still very much relevant in today's economically troubled times.

The timeless classic tells the story of sour and stingy Scrooge and his transformation after the visits of Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. A story that still touches the hearts of audiences worldwide, the novella has been adapted to film, opera — and now radio.

The story will be brought to life in The Greene Space with a stage reading performed by WQXR and WNYC personalities and reporters, including: Naomi Lewin, Terrance McKnight, Midge Woolsey, Robert Krulwich, Brian Lehrer, Bob Hennelly and Arun Venugopal. Directed by WQXR host Elliott Forrest and adapted by award-winning playwright Arthur Yorinks. Narrated by Robert Krulwich, the adaption features sound effects by FrEd Newman.