A beloved holiday tradition returns to the stage this weekend as Northern Essex Community College Music, in collaboration with NECC Theater in the Liberal Arts Division, presents “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. Four performances will be held from Friday, Dec. 13, to Sunday, Dec. 15, in the Chester Hawrylciw Theater, on the third floor of the Spurk Building on the Haverhill Campus, 100 Elliott St.

Ebenezer Scrooge, the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Cratchit Family, and all other Dickens characters will come to life in this year’s play, adding fun and tradition to the holiday season, under the direction of John Budzyna and NECC Music Professor Alisa Bucchiere.

The show will be performed Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, at 3 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased in advance here. A limited amount will be available at the door, but it will be cash-only and seating is limited, so advanced purchasing is strongly recommended. And a dear note from Mr. Charles Dickens himself “Scrooge accepts only cash at the door, as does our concessions and raffles, so prithee, bring your jingling coins and crinkled notes”

Ticket prices are $20 for adults, 10$ for students/seniors, and free for children under the age of 5.

The NECC production was originally presented as a one-time fundraiser for the performing arts department. The production was so successful, it became an NECC community event each holiday season with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and their family members auditioning for roles.

The cast includes:

Amesbury
David Draper: Bob Cratchit
Charlie Himmel: Peter Cratchit
Maggie Himmel: Want Andover
Christine Murphy: Ghost of Christmas Present

Haverhill
Lincoln Bohanan: Dick Wilkins, Belle’s Husband
Kairi Bohanan: Martha Cratchit
Melina Bohanan: Belinda Cratchit
Alicia Smith: Mrs. Cracthit
Zeke Smith: Belle’s Baby

Merrimac
Alisa Bucchiere: Madrigal Singer
Narjis Musa: Fred’s wife, Undertaker
Gina Musa: Fred’s Housekeeper

Newburyport
John Budzyna: Ghost of Christmas Future
George Boger: Tiny Tim
Olivia Cameron: Boy in Street

Pepperell
Steve Russell: Charity Man

Tewksbury
Chip Bliss: Madrigal Singer

NEW HAMPSHIRE

East Hampstead
Maureen Dadekian: Mrs. Fezziwig, Laundress Newton
Geehae Moon: Madrigal Singer, Party Guest Plaistow
Todd Buckley: Uncle Fezziwig, Old Joe Rochester
Mark Morrison: Ebenezer Scrooge

For additional information, contact Bucchiere, at abucchiere@necc.mass.edu.