There are several television specials that are shown each year at Christmastime. One holiday staple is the Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol," whether it's "A Muppet's Christmas Carol," the old black and white versions or a cartoon version.

The Repertory Theater is providing an alternative to the ordinary two-dimensional version of Dickens' book with a live-action show. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Rep's annual production. After watching the show, it's easy to see why the show has been successful over the years.

"A Christmas Carol" tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a materially rich man who cares only about himself and about gaining more money. He is lacking in the area of relationships and is a bit of a loner. Scrooge is responsible for "Bah Hum Bug," a phrase which is currently synonymous with anyone devoid of holiday spirit.

He is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, who brings a warning of the need for change. Scrooge is visited by three ghosts: The Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Future.

Each ghost shows Scrooge the error of his ways and helps shed light on how he can change himself. Ultimately, Scrooge takes everything he has learned to heart and makes the move to better himself.

The Rep's version of "A Christmas Carol" is highly entertaining and breathes new life into the classic tale. Through the cast of more than 30 people, the wonderful sets and, of course, Christmas music, the audience will become absorbed in the plot and will have a desire to sing along.

The role of Scrooge is played magnificently by Lee E. Ernst. Ernst dedicated himself wholly to the role and captured the true essence of Scrooge, with just the right amount of comedy and seriousness to make the role believable.

There were several actors who took on multiple roles throughout the performance. However, there was one actress and one actor who stood out.

Michael Herold took on a total of five small roles, but brought his chipper attitude to each and every one. He was also the first actor the audience was introduced to as he told everyone what was and was not acceptable, including the opening of candies during the performance.

Jenny Wanasek took on four roles for "A Christmas Carol," the best of which was her role as Scrooge's reluctant maid, Mrs. Dilber.

The ghosts were also a highlight of the show. The costumes and portrayals were perfect.

However, the best part of the show actually involved the stage and settings. The cast made use of every inch of the stage and allowed for the eye to move from one spot to another with ease. There was always something going on in the background which was a nice additive to the main focus of a particular scene and helped to make the world of "A Christmas Carol" believable.

The Rep's "A Christmas Carol" had only one downside to the performance, which was the fact that the actors didn't seem to be using microphones. At the beginning of the performance, it was hard to hear the dialogue, especially since the audience was still trying to get comfortable. However, as the show went on, it became less noticeable.

Grade: B