In a first-time collaboration with the St. Andrews Presbyterian College Theatre Department, Encore! Theatre presents "A Christmas Carol -- Scrooge's Nightmares", an original adaptation of the famous novel by Charles DIckens. St. Andrews Theatre Department Director Mark Mannette wrote the original script.

"I've lived with this timeless holiday classic for a long time, and have a history with it," Mannette said. "In 1987, I played (the character) Fred in a production. In the 1990s, I was fortunate enough to be part of an annual three person production adapted directly from the novel. I also played Scrooge in a live radio broadcast from the Disney Institute in central Florida in the year 2000. In 2005, I created a seven person adaptation of the script, once again using primarily Dickens' language directly from the book."

Mannette adapted the script to a larger cast for the upcoming production.

"This time I took that script and fleshed certain scenes out a bit, and I also added some text not found in the novel."

Multiple narrators will be used in the production, each of them speaking words directly from the novel.

"This way, we can remain as true to Dickens as possible," Mannette said.

Donna Young plays Mrs. Cratchit, Tiny Tim's mother.

"The play is distinctive enough from the original that the audience won't feel like they've seen the play before," Young said. "We encourage everyone to make this event a part of their holiday festivities, and to come enjoy a story in which there is always hope and good triumphs over evil. Audiences will come away feeling really good about the story."

Encore! Board Chair Chris Wood is pleased with the production as well.

"It is a pleasure to see the two organizations teaming up in this collaborative effort," he said. "Uniting the talents of the two groups is proving to be a successful and entertaining community venture, which hopefully we can repeat in the future."

"A Christmas Carol -- Scrooge's Nightmares" will be held on the Morris Morgan Theatre stage at St. Andrews College Dec. 11-13 and 17-19. Shows begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under and seniors over 60. Tickets may be purchased from cast members or by calling Encore! at 384-4516.

Mannette is involved in multiple roles for the production, serving as director and co-producer and starring as Scrooge. Brooke Jenkins is the play's co-director and choreographer.