Nothing says Christmas like a grumpy old man, some ghosts…and, of course, a happy ending.

This week Old Rochester Regional Drama Club presents it’s seventh production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”

The school performs the play every three years, and Director Paul Sardinha said this time around he tried to give some characters a twist.

Sardinha researched the show and found that Jacob Marley, the deceased partner of lead character (and chief cranky pants) Ebenezer Scrooge was more of an upbeat guy than he is usually portrayed.

“He’s very personable and funny, but very frightened for his friend scrooge….he’s trying to scare Scrooge straight,” said Sardinha.

That’s a perfect casting for funny man and ORR senior Samuel Resendes who stole the show as traveling salesman Ali Hakim in last spring’s production of “Oklahoma!”

“I play Jacob Marley, like Bob except Jacob,” joked Resendes. “Usually Jacob is solemn. I’m trying to make him more lively and comical.”

Ian MacLellan, on the other hand, will be keeping Scrooge on the serious side.

“Scrooge is a bitter old man who has gone through so much in his life,” said MacLellan, a junior. “I wanted to portray him as being irrationally angry, a really irate old man.”

MacLellan also gets to play the reformed Scrooge, and Sardinha said the show always makes for an excellent family outing.

With themes of loss and hardship as well as love and redemption, he also said “A Christmas Carol” gives the audience comfort even as many face difficult times.

“Something like this helps us to realize that we’re still ok,” said Sardinha. “It’s a way to check yourself. We will make it through.”

With handbells and Christmas carols, the cast of 119 students also hopes the play will get everyone into the holiday spirit.

“It’s a great way to give the family one night out before the whole year goes crazy full tilt on them,” he said.

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 through Saturday, Dec. 7 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for students and seniors and $12 for adults, and are available at The Pen & Pendulum in Mattapoisett, The Marion General Store in Marion and Plumb Corner Market in Rochester. Tickets may also be available at the door.

For more ticket information, contact Lisa Cardoza at 508-758-6762.