Carol On

The holidays are one time when familiarity does not always breed contempt, which is why all across the country, the theatrical adaptation of A Christmas Carol gets staged every Christmas-past, present and foreseeable future. Thus comes the South Coast Repertory's 28th annual staging of the play, featuring Hal Landon Jr. as Ebenezer Scrooge. It's a role he has inhabited for more than a quarter of a century, so you know he'll really nail the delivery of every "Bah, humbug." The set and costume designers have done their best to turn what is sure to be a mildly chilly Southern California night into a freezing-cold Victorian English evening, and what better place than Orange County to appreciate the value of charity and mercy toward those less fortunate. Right, Mr. Gilchrist?
Saturdays, 2:30 p.m.; Tuesdays-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 12 & 4 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 23, 4 p.m. Starts: Dec. 1. Continues through Dec. 23, 2007