Jeff Carey, front, playing Ebenezer Scrooge in the Hobnob Theatre production of “A Christmas Carol,” is rimmed by the ghosts that visit his character, from left, Julia Singleton as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Lori Barrage as the Ghost of Christmas Present, and Henry Marquiss as the Ghost of Christmas Future.

For the Hobnob Theatre Company, one of the the biggest issues in staging Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol” once again is trying to keep it fresh.

“Attempting to keep the show exciting, while at the same time retaining the beauty of the story, has proved somewhat challenging,” said Elizabeth Smith, one of the directors.

A three-show run of the Dickens' classic will begin Dec. 20 at the Succop Theater at Butler County Community College.

There will be a few subtle changes to this year's production, changes that people who saw last year's production might notice.

“Probably the most noticeable difference will be evident in the casting — different actors and actresses bring different characters to the stage, and we love that,” Smith said.

“We have kept the majority of the show exactly as it was last year, but did make a few small changes based on what worked and what didn't last year.”

Is running the same show every year something that can work here in Butler? The Hobnob Theatre Company is banking on it.

“There is a reason why every major city has a production of 'A Christmas Carol' every year: The story and its message are timeless, heartwarming and encourage the goodwill and love that we should share the year-round, but most especially at Christmas,” said Smith of the Christmas tradition.

The play's miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, will be played this go-round by Jeff Carey of Butler. Carey last appeared as Caliban in “The Tempest” for Hobnob's summer show.

“I'm learning just how much I recognize about myself in the character of Scrooge. I don't mean the mean-spirited, anti-Christmas, bah humbug stuff. I'm talking about the stroll down memory lane, jarring loose emotional baggage kind of stuff. It's been great therapy,” said Carey, who has never performed in the show before.

“It's funny that the stingy, mean aspect of Scrooge is what most people remember. I find the softer parts of his character to be the most fun to portray,” he said.

Carey marvels at how such a recognizable story is one that practically no one has read.

“The original text is so beautiful but I'm guessing that most people know the tale from the countless adaptations. You get the gist of the story from sitcom versions, but Dickens put some real power in the original words,” Carey said.

Among the three ghosts that visit Scrooge will be the Ghost of Christmas Present played by Lori Barrage of Natrona Heights.

“She is a feisty spirit who tells it like it is,” said Barrage, who is reprising her role for Hobnob.

“This show is a beloved holiday classic and I never grow tired of seeing it or performing in it. I've never seen a production of it that hasn't left me feeling joyful and optimistic,” she said of why she's taking part in the show for the second year in a row.

Also starring in the 35-member cast are Bob Meals as Jacob Marley; Julia Singleton as the Ghost of Christmas Past; Henry Marquiss as the Ghost of Christmas Future; Aaron Zimmerman as Bob Cratchit; Adam Smith as Tiny Tim; and Ron Murphy and Tricia Eichler as Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig.

<B>WHO: </B>Hobnob Theatre Company<B>WHAT: </B>“A Christmas Carol”<B>WHEN: </B>8 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21 and 2 p.m. Dec. 22<B>WHERE: </B> Succop Theater at Butler County Community College<B>TICKETS: </B> $10 for adults and $5 for children age 12 and younger, available at www.hobnobtheatre.com/tickets or at May’s Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St., beginning Friday. Tickets also will be sold at the door one hour before curtain.