Five separate productions of the Charles Dickens' classic, "A Christmas Carol" - both the straight drama and its musical counterpart, "Scrooge" - all open on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

The Hale Center Theater in South Salt Lake is mounting its ninth annual production of the immensely popular stage version of Dickens' classic tale.The nonmusical rendition is also opening at the Hale Center Theater in Orem and the StageStop Theater in Collinston.

Both the Pages Lane Theatre in Centerville and the Terrace Plaza Playhouse in Ogden are mounting "Scrooge," the musical.

Die-hard "Carol" fans may want to circle Dec. 17 on their calendars. That marks the 150th anniversary of the first publication of Dickens' slim, red volume, according to Richard G. Wilkins' director's notes for the HCT/SLC show.

The Hales' production in Salt Lake is being enhanced by the addition of three new components: two new scenes, entirely new musical selections and new costuming.

Newly added scenes include one revealing more explicitely the heartache felt by Scrooge as a schoolboy (based on material extracted from the original novel). There is also additional dialogue showing the financial torment Scrooge inflicted on a young couple who were his clients.

New musical background, under direction of Delorus Huff, will include vintage English carols.

The theater also has a new costume designer: Rosemary E. Bengele, who has worked the past two summers with the Utah Musical Theatre series in Ogden. She is completely reworking HCT's "Carol" costumes to make them more authentic.

Terrace Plaza Playhouse's production of "Scrooge" will include four new dances, all choreographed by J.D. Stokes - "Dance of the Waifs," "Harlequin Street Dancers," "Dance of Children from Scrooge's Past" and "Wassailing Quadrill at Fred's Party."

Here are the leading performers and ticket information on the region's five "Christmas Carol" and "Scrooge" productions:

- "A CHRISTMAS CAROL"

- Hale Center Theater, South Salt Lake: Richard G. Wilkins is directing and is single-cast in the role of Scrooge. Other single-cast performers include Ron Jewett and E. Linda Moore as the Cratchits, and Len Moore of Liverpool, England, as Old Joe.

Double-cast performers include Dan Morgan and Kurk Davidson as Fred, Kirsten Arce-Larreta and Teresa Wilde as Fred's wife, and Spencer Anderson, Mark Dietlein, Jensen Rapp, Kyle Cottam, Tom Stam, L.D. Weller, Klare Oliver and Michael Keddington as the ghosts of Marley and Christmases Past, Present and Future.

Playdates are 8 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, Nov. 26-Dec. 23, with matinees at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 27 and Dec. 4; at noon and 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 11 and 18, and at 5 p.m. on Dec. 17, 20, 21 and 22.

Beginning with "A Christmas Carol," all seats at HCT are reserved (no more "open" seating). Several performances are already sold out or close to it. Box office: 484-9257. Address: 2801 S. Main, South Salt Lake.

- Hale Center Theater, Orem: 7:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, Nov. 26-Dec. 23; Saturday matinees at 3:30 p.m. Admission: $5 to $7. Reservations required. Box office: 226-8600. Address: 225 W. 400 North, Orem.

Directed by Merrill Dodge. Alternating in leading roles are William Bisson and Chris H. Bower as Scrooge; Cody Hale and Stevan Davis as Bob Cratchit, and Scott Sackett and Tyler Langston as Tiny Tim, with Cory Sackett, Rex Kocherhans, Michael Dodge, Alan Sackett, Larson Holyoak and Michael Grey as the various ghosts.

- StageStop Theater, Collinston: 7:30 p.m. nightly (except Sundays and Tuesdays), Nov. 26-Dec. 20, with matinees at 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays. For this production only all ticket orders must be prepaid. Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for youths and senior citizens. There is a $1 discount for Saturday matinees and on Monday evenings. Reservations may be made at the theater (458-3967 or 1-800 248-2530) or at Keith Jorgansen's Pianos and Organs at Cache Valley Mall, Logan. The StageStop Theater is located at 3585 W. Bigler Road, between Logan and Tremonton.

The cast includes JaceSon Barrus as Scrooge, Irv Nelson and Lanae Winkler as the Cratchits, and Eve Speer, Dan Rigdon, Gary Wilden, Jody Blau and Karl Bickmore as the ghosts.

- "SCROOGE"

- Pages Lane Theater, Centerville: 7:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, Nov. 26-Dec. 23. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults and $7 for children under 12 on weekends, $7 and $6 on weekdays, with discounts for groups, senior citizens and families. Address: 292 E. Pages Lane. Box office: 292-1302.

The cast includes Ralph G. Rodgers (back this season in a wheelchair) alternating with Allen Stoneman (who is not in a wheelchair) as skinflint Scrooge, with Brady Smoot and Andy Soren as Tiny Tim and Dave Petersen and Bill McDougal as Bob Cratchit.

Rodgers is directing, with choreography by Marilyn Montgomery and musical supervision by Joan M. Rodgers.

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- Terrace Plaza Playhouse, Ogden: 7:30 p.m. on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 26-Dec. 20, with three additional performances scheduled Dec. 21-23. Admission: $7.50 for adults, $5 for children. Group rates available. For reservations, call the theater at 393-0070. The playhouse is located at 99 E. 4700 South (Washington Terrace, a suburb of Ogden).

Dennis Ahern is playing the title role. (Until last week, he was scheduled to alternate with Doug Vandegrift, but Vandegrift, who is well known to regional audiences for his performances on many area stages, has accepted a job in New Jersey and is moving shortly.)

Beverly Olsen is directing a cast of 105, which includes Jarod Halley and Jordan LeBaron alternating in the role of Tiny Tim.

Performances of "Scrooge" at Terrace Plaza will be preceded by Christmas carols being sung by the Bailey Family and friends.

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