The Cratchit family — from left, Jacob Glosser, Patience Knowles, Amelia Lucas, Trudi Herrholtz, Liliana Garber and Jenna Bishop — are shown in a scene from Trumbull New Theatre's production of "A Christmas Carol — Scrooge & Marley," which opens Friday for a three-weekend run. (Staff photo / Andy Gray)

There are many stage adaptations available of Charles Dicken’s holiday classic “A Christmas Carol.”

There was no doubt in Melanie Lucas’ mind that Israel Horovitz’s version, “A Christmas Carol — Scrooge and Marley,” would be the one she’d direct at Trumbull New Theatre.

“I grew up doing at Kent-Trumbull doing this version of ‘A Christmas Carol,'” she said. “I know there are many versions, but this one’s always been close to my heart. I love that Jacob Marley also functions as the narrator instead of just appearing in the one scene.”

Lucas now finds herself directing some of the same actors she worked with as a child.

“Some of my favorite memories of childhood are doing ‘Christmas Carol.’ Meeting up with some of the same people and the same cast as an adult, I can look back and appreciate all that went into it.”

She is drawing inspiration from Kent State University at Trumbull’s staging, although she won’t be going as extreme on the special effects as Kent-Trumbull Director Gary Stefaniak did during his tenure there. One of the stories she heard while prepping this production is that Stefaniak once bought flash paper to use for one of the effects. Experimenting with how much he needed, he started with too much and created a fireball.

“The laws have changed about pyrotechnics,” Lucas said. “Now you have to have a technician on stage.”

But she promises some other effects, and there elements from the production that may sound familiar to those who remember the annual production at Kent-Trumbull.

“One of the things I remembered (about the show) was the soundtrack,” Lucas said. “As a child until now, I had no idea where the music came from. I thought I could do a quick YouTube search and find it, but I couldn’t. That led me on a journey, talking to people I haven seen for 30 years, some who don’t even live in Ohio anymore, trying to track down the composer.”

The music was written by Warren native Gary Boggess specifically for Kent-Trumbull. Lucas connected with Boggess, who now lives in Florida. After some searching, he was able to find the original recordings on reel-to-reel tape and transferred it to digital files for TNT.

“He even had the original cues,” Lucas said. “It definitely enhances the production.”

The story about a miserly man who discovers the true meaning of the season after he is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve is being staged with a multi-generational cast of actors ranging from 6 to 70s.

The cast features Chuck Simon, Bob Spain, Jake Glosser, Patience Miles, Jim Courim, Liliana Garber, Jenna Bishop, Zoe Powers, Trudi Herrholtz, Amelia Lucas, Leona Chapline, Ayla Chapline, Jerry Kruse, Jason Bowman, Brooke Jonas, Parker Paniagua, Amarey Phillips, Brianna Cole, Alan Purdum, Kathy Purdum, Ken Pierson, Marisa Keshock, Cadence Treich, Katara Brown, Aleecia Postlewait, Colton Smith, Sydnie Schoening, Connor Fitzpatrick, Michelle Jones, Megan Myers, Deb Lavelle, Gary Roddy and Scott Jones.

Another thing Lucas realized while directing the show is that, as a child, she didn’t work much with Stefaniak. He worked primarily with the adults, while Karen Horrell wrangled the children. Lucas didn’t have a Karen Horrell, but she relied upon the experience of her veteran cast members.

“I’ve really enjoyed watching our Scrooge (Chuck Simon) and Marley (Bob Spain) working with the younger actors and helping them develop their characters,” she said. “I don’t always like actors giving direction to another actor, but they’ve just been really helpful in guiding them. It’s challenging to give everyone the attention they need when it’s a big show, and I’ve enjoyed the team aspect of it.”

If you go …

WHAT: “A Christmas Carol — Scrooge & Marley”

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Nov. 18 and 3 p.m. Nov. 12 and 19

WHERE: Trumbull New Theatre, 5883 Youngstown Warren Road, Niles

HOW MUCH: Tickets are $17 for adults and $15 for students and are available online at trumbullnewtheatre.tix.com and by calling the TNT box office at 330-652-1103.

ALSO: TNT will be collecting for the Howland Community Church food drive during the run of “A Christmas Carol.” They are specifically seeking donations of jelly, peanut butter, canned chicken, cereal and cookies.