Players of the Stage, a non-profit Christian Youth Theater group, will present Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” onstage Dec. 4-6 and 12-13.

“A Christmas Carol” is based on a novel by Dickens and recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser, who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

Lower Milford resident Robbie Vaughn, who plays Scrooge and Lehighton resident Victor Ramos, who portrays Bob Cratchit, both commented on their roles.

“Ebenezer Scrooge is a man of great complexity and even greater hubris,” Vaughn said. “His disdain for Christmas and everyone associated with it, while it has famously been depicted as a contemptuous and shallow opinion, actually goes much deeper than the widespread view of it. From the death of his sister to the loss of his love, there are numerous elements that contributed to Scrooge’s scornful attitude towards Christmas, elements that this show explores in depth.”

He said he enjoys playing the role of Scrooge because of the dramatic yet gradual change that takes place in both his mind and his heart throughout the show.

Ramos said Cratchit is a very unique character for him.

“He isn’t shown the most, but his impact on the play is great,” Ramos said. “I love playing him because it is a different role than I am used to. The highs and the lows he has are very interesting.”

He said this is his final winter show with Players of the Stage.

“POTS is such a wonderful organization — putting on free shows for people to enjoy and raising as much money as we can for the charity God has placed on our hearts at that time. I am so blessed to be a part of it,” Ramos said.

Lower Macungie resident Julia Daniel plays the Ghost of Christmas Past, Allentown resident Sawyer Scheirer is the Spirit of Christmas Present, and Lehigh Township resident Jacquelean Dressler portrays the Ghost of Christmas Future.

Daniel said the Ghost of Christmas Past is a bright, energetic spirit that tries the hardest out of the three ghosts to see the best in Scrooge, and she enjoys playing the Ghost of Christmas Past because of her spontaneous personality throughout the play.

Scheirer said the Spirit of Christmas Present is a bright, joyful spirit who shows Scrooge kindness and generosity and that paying attention to the people around you is what Christmas is really about. She said playing this character reminds her how important it is to spread kindness and look out for each other, especially around the holidays and the audience leaves feeling a little more joyful and connected.

Dressler said the Ghost of Christmas Future is the embodiment of judgment and punishment.

“Past and Present are both trying to save Scrooge while Future is a mutual party,” Dressler said. “She is a mirror showing Scrooge what he is, and I believe that is why she is the scariest spirit. No one wants to see how awful of a person they are. I love how mysterious she is. She is a very simple character but is terrifying.”

Amber Cade, who is directing this show, said it is an adaptation of Dicken’s novel “A Christmas Carol.” It is a play but with a few musical performances (caroling) built into the show, Cade added. Noelle Ledford is the musical director, Andrew Stirling MacDonald is the ensemble director, and Bryleigh Barnhart is the stage manager for the show.

“Ebenezer Scrooge has seen much of the darkness of the world, and finding himself helpless to it, he found his refuge in his wealth. There, he finds control and safety, but it is a false safety. On the holiest nights of Christmas, the spiritual realm endeavors to reveal this to him,” she said. “Spirits take him through the circumstances of what made him and showing him the outcome of his fear and idolatry, he is forced to decide if he will continue in his stubbornness alone or if he will embrace the light and allow his fear to give way to hope.”

Cade added “A Christmas Carol” is a timeless classic, a story full of lessons that will never cease to be relevant.

“This beautiful celebration of the Christmas spirit is just what people need this time of year, and Players of the Stage has a tradition of doing this story every five years,” Cade said. “This is our 25th anniversary since our founding, and as an organization that strives to lifting up others in our community, it felt like the perfect way to celebrate.”

“A Christmas Carol” will be performed onstage 7 p.m. Dec. 4, 5, 6, 12 and 13 and then 2 p.m. Dec. 6 and 13 at Citylight Bible Church, 1921 Union Blvd., Allentown.

In lieu of an admission fee, a freewill offering will be taken to benefit Players of the Stage.

“To celebrate our 25th anniversary, we have decided to raise funds for Players of the Stage to continue serving our community,” Cade said. “We are in need of a new stage and microphones, and we will use the funds raised during this show to help in these purchases that will enable us to continue to educate youth in the beautiful art of theatre.”

Reservations are required for all performances. To reserve tickets to this show, go to playersofthestage.org.

For more information about Players of the Stage, visit playersofthestage.com.