BROWNSTOWN — One character comes to mind when hearing the phrase “Bah humbug!”

Ebenezer Scrooge was introduced in Charles Dickens’ novella, “A Christmas Carol,” in 1843, and shortly after, the story was adapted for the stage. It later was adapted for film, television, radio, opera, ballet and animation.

All of these years later, the story is still being told, including the next two weekends at Royal Off-the-Square Theatre in Brownstown. That show is adapted by James Hutchison.

“We’ve got the greatest story ever in the history of the world to tell. That’s why it lives,” said Larry Hartley, who is playing the role of Scrooge in the Jackson County Community Theatre production at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11.

“The story is great. It’s why Muppets could tell it and you still cry,” he said. “I think the play with a small cast, it’s a very interesting way of going about it. The idea is telling the story, making sure that’s forefront in what we’re doing. It’s the greatest story that we could tell.”

Due to the high rate of COVID-19 transmission, the JCCT board decided to scale down the number of actors to 10, and all of them but Hartley are playing multiple roles.

When Hartley learned JCCT was staging “A Christmas Carol,” he knew he wanted to audition for Scrooge because he had been involved in productions of the show in the past but never got to fill that role.

“I thought, ‘Well, this is a small cast, a small theater. This could be a lot of fun, so I’ll go over there and I’ll audition for Scrooge,’” he said. “I’ve sure gotten to see it played a lot over my lifetime and then even live onstage a lot. I know him pretty well. I was surprised it came pretty easily.”

In this fresh, lively adaptation of “A Christmas Carol,” the audience will meet Mr. Bentley, learn about the letters Scrooge wrote to his sister, Fan, and find out who Mr. Newbury is.

Along with new characters, all of the classic elements are found, including the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, the Ghost of Jacob Marley, Old Fezziwig, Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, and the love of Scrooge’s life, Belle.

Mike DeShong, Mark Nolting and Sullivan Dick all play five characters in the production.

In his first role with JCCT, DeShong is portraying Mr. Granger, Mr. Harrington, Fezziwig, Ghost of Christmas Present and Old Joe.

“I like that each of the characters is very distinct, and trying to get in the mindset of each of the different characters with having such a small cast is actually kind of a challenge because each of them is very distinct in what they are wanting,” he said.

Ghost of Christmas Present is his favorite.

“As much as I love Scrooge, don’t get me wrong, in all of the iterations I’ve ever read and watched, the Ghost of Christmas Present has always been my favorite just the way he is and what he conveys,” DeShong said. “It actually speaks to me.”

This also is Nolting’s first JCCT show. He said he and his wife have been theater patrons for a while, and being onstage was on his bucket list. The only play he had done was in 1979 as a senior in high school, but he only had five words, so he said his wife said that doesn’t really count.

Since he was familiar with “A Christmas Carol,” he decided it was time to audition. He said he was shocked when Director Elyse McGill called and told him he landed the roles of Mr. Bentley, Marley’s Ghost, Jacob Marley, Man No. 1 and Thomas.

“My point is if anyone has ever thought about doing this, they really ought to do it because you learn a lot,” Nolting said. “It’s so much fun to watch. You have no idea what all goes into it. Every day, I come in and I learn something every night. Everyone that’s here in the cast, all of these folks have been super, super helpful.”

Dick’s roles are Boy, Scrooge as a Young Boy, George, Tiny Tim and Ignorance.

“I think the most important role I have is probably Tiny Tim, but I also have a few other parts,” he said. “I’ve always liked the ‘Christmas Carol’ story, and I’m glad to be a part of a production of it.”

The cast has a family connection with Dick’s father, Andrew, returning to the stage after a nearly 25-year hiatus.

Andrew’s roles are Bob Cratchit, Dick Williams, Topper and Man No. 2.

“It’s the quintessential Christmas story. I know a lot of people, including my parents, insist on seeing at least one production every year,” Andrew said. “Then it’s just fun to play Bob Cratchit with my son as Tiny Tim. That’s a nice touch.”

Landon Whitson also plays four characters: Fred, Young Scrooge, Peter and Mr. Newbury.

“It’s really fun to go from all of these different ages to these emotions, starting off as the happy, joyful Fred all the way down to the disgusting, gross and snakelike Mr. Newbury,” he said. “It’s so fun to switch in between different voices and emotions and stuff. It’s my favorite.”

Since “A Christmas Carol” is the most watched Christmas movie in his household, Whitson said being a part of the JCCT show is even more special.

“I’ve seen it so many times from so many different versions that I’ve been able to pluck different characteristics from each one to fill into my characters,” he said.

Kat Baute returns to the JCCT stage after stepping away for five-plus years to do shows for Actors Community Theater of Seymour. Her characters are Mrs. Dilber, Cook, Mrs. Fezziwig and Mrs. Cratchit.

“It’s neat to be able to see the classes in the show and the way it’s developed,” she said. “There are thousands of different versions of ‘A Christmas Carol’ out there. This particular one that we’re doing certainly has a nice take on it. It’s a little more up to date with the language and everything, so it has been a fun experience. The cast, I think, is my favorite part. … It has been amazing getting to know everybody.”

Destiny Luttrell is another cast member with four roles: Belle, Martha, Emma and Caroline.

“It has been a great experience,” she said. “I think everybody is really talented, and it’s going to be an awesome show.”

Michelle Elkins is in a unique spot because one of her characters, Ghost of Christmas Future, says no words. Her other roles are Ghost of Christmas Past and Rose.

She said she has always wanted to be in a production of “A Christmas Carol.”

“I just love ‘A Christmas Carol.’ It’s a classic,” she said. “The story of Tiny Tim and going to church and Scrooge’s redemption, I just love it all. It just all comes together so well, and it’s just an honor to be able to be a part of the story.”

McGill said when the script was presented to her as an option to direct, there were key elements she wanted to pull out and make unique.

“I feel like we definitely got the cast that can do that, and our production team working on the set, it’s going to be exactly what I envisioned,” she said. “I’m pretty happy overall and pretty happy to see some new faces onstage, and hopefully, they’ll stick around.”

 

If you go 

What: Jackson County Community Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol”

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11

Where: Royal Off-the-Square Theatre, 121 W. Walnut St., Brownstown

Cost: $12 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens; available online at jcct.org or at Family Drug in Brownstown or Artistic Impressions in Seymour

Director: Elyse McGill

Assistant director: Hannah McGill

Production manager: Steve Deweese

Lights and sound: Paul Angle and Lindsey Ridlen

Cast: Larry Hartley, Landon Whitson, Mike DeShong, Mark Nolting, Andrew Dick, Sullivan Dick, Destiny Luttrell, Kat Baute, Michelle Elkins and Bridget Deaton