Scrooge is back in the Alliance’s annual holiday gift to Atlanta. Now in its 19th year, A Christmas Carol has become a holiday tradition for generations of families throughout the Southeast. Atlanta’s own Rosemary Newcott, the Sally G. Tomlinson Artistic Director of Theatre for Youth, again directs this lavish musical complete with holiday music and jaw-dropping special effects. Chris Kayser returns for a 16th season in his portrayal of Scrooge, setting a not-to-be-missed standard of excellence.

This Broadway-scale musical spectacular is set in a vast Victorian warehouse where a stone-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge learns the meaning of compassion as he travels the road to redemption for his lonely, miserly life. Renowned director David H. Bell adapted this 1840s tale into a musical featuring favorite holiday carols and hymns.

The cast features 24 local actors (six are children) including five actors new to the production: Christy Baggett (Ensemble), Jamiah Hudson (Belinda), Royce Mann (Tiny Tim), Derek Manson (Peter) and Courtney Patterson (Christmas Past). Members of the artistic team that will bring this classic tale to life on stage are D. Martyn Bookwalter, set designer; Mariann Verheyen, costume designer; Diane Ferry Williams, lighting designer; Clay Benning, sound designer; and Michael Fauss, music director and player/conductor.

Show times vary; call (404) 733-5000 or go to www.alliancetheatre.org to find out. The Dec. 18 show at 7 p.m. will be Sign Interpreted for the hearing impaired.

Tickets are $15 - $60 and are available at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office by calling (404) 733-5000 or online at www.alliancetheatre.org. Discount rates for groups of 10 or more are available by calling (404) 733-4690. Discount rates are also available for members of the military, seniors and students. The Alliance Theatre is located at the Woodruff Arts Center, corner of Peachtree and 15th Street, in Midtown Atlanta.