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The Frederick holiday season would not be complete without the classic Charles Dickens tale "A Christmas Carol" being brought to life by the vets at The Maryland Ensemble Theatre.

"I love bringing this show to the audience every year," said director Julie Herber. Herber has been involved with the production for nearly 15 years, having launched the production with former theater company, Theatrics.

Adapted from the original short story, the play features a cast of one Ebenezer Scrooge, two Tiny Tims, and an ensemble of actors young and old.

The Frederick favorite will come to life Friday at the Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick with additional performances on Saturday and Sunday.

For five years, Maryland Ensemble Theatre actor and artistic director Tad Janes has portrayed Scrooge, a grouchy old man who misses the true meaning of Christmas.

"I enjoy playing the part of Scrooge because the character goes through a journey and it's such a really great story," Janes said.

Although there have been many adaptations of the famous tale throughout the years, Janes said once he read the original story by Dickens, he realized just how many shows had left out the great language in which it was originally told.

Herber's story keeps such dialect and diction intact, making the show even more authentic.

"It's a really wonderful, beautiful production. We've tried not to change it to much," she said.

Although Janes returns as Scrooge, Karli Cole, the young actor who has portrayed Tiny Tim for the past five years has finally outgrown her part. In her place, actors and Ensemble School students Elissa Dallimore and Lena Janes will share the role for the first time with the ensemble, said Herber.

"They're all really great kids to have in the show," said the director of the production's cast of children, ranging in age from 7-13.

For the first time, Herber decided to cast two sets of children as a result of touring schedules. Performances were held last weekend at the Carroll Arts Center in Westminster and was also performed for several local schools, making it harder for child actors to attend all performances, Herber said.

Additional performances have only underscored the community's love for the classic Christmas tale.

"The audiences are getting bigger every year and it's nice to see that," Herber said.

Janes agrees, saying this show is one of his favorites, too.

"It really has a powerful effect on the audience and that's cool to see as an actor," Janes said.

‘A Christmas Carol'

-When: 7:30 Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

-Where: Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick

-Tickets: $12-$22

-For information:

301-600-2828

www.weinbergcenter.org

www.marylandensemble.org