SALEM — The Salem Community Theatre will present its annual production of a Christmas Carol next week.

Since its first performance on the Salem Community Theatre stage in 1991, “A Christmas Carol” has become a beloved part of the annual theatre season, and a staple of the holidays in Salem. This year’s performances will be Dec. 18-20 at 7 p.m., and Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. under the direction of Melissa Kutler.

Dan Haueter stars as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, alongside Andy Clutter as impoverished clerk Bob Cratchit, and Gordon Clutter as the iconic and sickly Tiny Tim and opposite the ghostly quartet of Ian McBride as Jacob Marley, Olivia Tranovich as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Seth Grubaugh as the Ghost of Christmas Present, and Jacob Capaldi as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

Charles Dickens’ timeless tale tells the story of the tight-fisted miser Ebenezer Scrooge’s encounter with the ghost of his late business partner Jacob Marley, and the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future on Christmas Eve. As the ghosts take Scrooge on a journey through his own past, and present, and into the future that awaits him and those around him if he does not change his cold-hearted and cruel ways, he is inspired to become a new man as he wakes up on Christmas morning.

Bursting with laughter, music, dancing and Christmas spirit, the Community Theatre promises a production suitable for audiences of all ages. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the Salem Community Theatre’s website at www.salemcommunitytheatre.org, with limited tickets available at the door. The box office opens an hour prior to showtime, while the theatre doors open half an hour prior to showtime. Any large groups should plan to arrive early to ensure they can be seated together as all tickets will be general admission.