“A Christmas Carol,” the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformative journey of redemption, a mainstay of Portland Playhouse’s annual season five years running, is back for the holidays, a fun, festive and family favorite featuring a diverse cast from a theater group based in northeast Portland.

“For us, A Christmas Carol provides an amazing access point,” says Portland Playhouse co-founder and Artistic Director Brian Weaver. “Maybe this is the one play a family sees together every year. Maybe it is someone’s first experience with theatre, like it was mine. My grandmother took me to see A Christmas Carol when I was five, and it was my first introduction to the wonder of live theatre. Why not make this the most engaging and magical experience possible?”

This year’s show provides an intimate, heart swelling experience; live music and song performed by a strong, diverse cast of professional actors; members of the Portland Playhouse Apprentice company; and shining new stars in the roles of the Cratchit children.

New for the production will be the staging of “A Christmas Carol” at a different venue. Due to major renovations happening at Portland Playhouse’s theatrical home in the former Mt. Sinai Baptist Church building in the King neighborhood, the show will be taking up residence in the Hampton Opera Center’s performance space located at 221 S.E. Caruthers St. Shows run through Dec. 30. For tickets, visit portlandplayhouse.org/acc.