Until you drop by The Players’ Ring in December and see F. Gary Newton’s adaptation of “A Christmas Carol,” the season just hasn’t started yet.

Everyone knows the tale by Charles Dickens. The miserly old Ebenezer Scrooge, whose wealth does him and those around him little good, sits in a bank eating gruel and warms rooms with single bits of coal. He is visited by his old business partner, Jacob Marley (Thorpe Feidt), on Christmas Eve (which is odd, as Marley died exactly one year prior). Marley convinces Scrooge that his penny-pinching ways have robbed him of a life, of relationships and of happiness. To prove it, he sends three spirits to show Scrooge images that will put the story together for him. By the time the apparitions have done their work, Scrooge is a changed man.

This year, the Seacoast’s definitive Ebenezer Scrooge, Tim Robinson, takes on the role of the crotchety old skinflint who’s so busy hoarding all his gold that he doesn’t notice the happiness and sadness around him. Robinson has played the role so many times there ought to be an action figure of him dressed in Victorian-era garb, its face twisted into a scowl.

The large cast is filled with a wealth of talents. Tobin Moss, as Bob Cratchit, is nervous to the point of breakdown at the thought of making one wrong move and losing the one means of income his family has. Kate Kosteva, always at home in period pieces, is appropriately upset with her husband’s boss as his devoted wife, Mrs. Cratchit. Their young son, Tiny Tim, is played by Skylar Bagdon, who is adorably courageous in the role of the sickly lad.

Alex Bedirian as Scrooge’s only relative, nephew Thomas, is completely convincing in his jovially sardonic manner toward the old geezer. Kate Kirkwood as Mama Sleeve, queen of the grave robbers, is deliciously and dangerously funny. A touching scene is performed by Samantha Bagdon and Glenn Provost, as Lydia and young Scrooge, as we watch Scrooge make the mistake that cripples his future.

As for the apparitions, Feidt and Robinson share a delightful chemistry as Jacob Marley and Scrooge, the former business partners. The Ghost of Christmas Past (Rachel Elias) shows us Scrooge’s history in almost a dance as her silky voice and graceful motions tell the tale. The jovial Jamie Bradley offers a booming Ghost of Christmas Present, and Robin Fowler poses an intimidating Present. The beautiful Lesley Robinson as the elder Lydia is a vision and a delight.
The stark and simple set was brilliantly designed by director Ed Hinton, who brought his actors together beautifully to create the tale. They served each scene well and set changes took seconds, not minutes.

Setting the scene for the entire show is a choir of carolers who greet us as we take out seats, and lighting by Hinton, Stan Zabecki and Jessyka Bagdon flawlessly creates the background upon which the tale is played.

It’s not Christmas without Scrooge, and especially not without this crew. 

“A Christmas Carol” is playing at The Players’ Ring at 105 Marcy St., Portsmouth, through Dec. 23. For show times, visit www.playersring.org; for reservations call 603- 436-8123.