About the only thing traditional about the Crowded Kitchen Players' (CKP) "A Christmas Carol," was the snow falling during the matinee, Dec. 8, outside McCoole's Arts and Events Place, Quakertown, where the show continues through Dec. 22.

The "Bah, Humbugs!" are intact, but there's little that's hum-drum about CKP's "Carol."

This is, after all, the CKP's version of "A Christmas Carol": quips, chains and pratfalls all.

While much of the storyline is intact, as is much of the dialogue, in the Charles Dickens' classic, director Ara Barlieb has given free rein to the physical comedy the CKP troupe is noted for, as well as adding some funny asides, puns, references, sight gags and even characters (a lighthouse scene with two lighthouse tenders who get into a wrestling match and "Arghh"-uably the first "Pirates of the Christmas Carol-bbean").

David Oswald, reprising his CKP role as Scrooge, looks the part, with mutton chops, wire rim glasses perched on his nose, and top hat and black waistcoat. Oswald is imperious in the intial going, a strutting, self-assured captain of his destiny.

When Scrooge (Oswald) asks Bob Cratchit (Dan Ferry) to check the ledger, the accountant collapses under the weight of a huge "Book of Debts" the size of an ottoman.

Reacting to the choristers, Scrooge pronounces, "Revelries everywhere I turn. Is there no peace from this blasted season?"

One gets the sense Barlieb, by drawing attention to certain aspects and de-emphasizing other aspects of "Carol," might side with Scrooge in his dim view of the holiday season.

Once he begins his walk of shame, guided by "The Rocky Horror Show"-like Ghosts of Christmas Vamps: Christmas Past (Meghan LaVerne) and Christmas Best Forgotten (Rachel Tizol), Oswald physically seems to become smaller and more fragile until being rejuvenated by his redemptive discovery of goodness and charitable acts.

The rapid-fire two-act, less than two-hour production is paced by strolling carolers, actors portraying inanimate objects (ala the animated film, "Beauty and the Beast") and framed paintings (ala "Harry Potter") and set pieces being carried on and off, including a large window that effectively "frames" the scene between Scrooge and the lad (Gillian Gallagher), who fetches the Christmas turkey.

As for other set and prop accoutrements, four large rectangular panels painted by Nora Oswald depicting scenes from the story backdrop the stage.

Costumes are by Nancy Mikkelsen and the cast. Clark Ferguson is pianist accompanist, including for a memorable solo by Tizol on "Be Thou My Vision."

William Gibson rattles some chains -- well, one long one, really, as Jacob Marley. Gibson's voice and physical bearing, lending a Shakespearean sense to the proceedings, are effectively intimidating, and understandably put the fear of God in Scrooge, who quips of him, "Scared the Dickens out of me."

Tom Harrison is one of the show's other most memorable characters, giving a flamboyant Elton John spin (circa 1973's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road") to the Ghost of Christmas Present.

The large cast of 22, who assay multiple roles (Oswald excepted), includes Sarah Thomas (Mrs. Cratchit), Jack Fox (Young Scrooge), Goran D. Zdravkovic (Adult Scrooge), Colleen Gallagher (Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come) and Pamela McLean-Wallace (Undertaker).