LEWISTON – Once again, and for the first time, “A Christmas Carol” is coming to the stage of The Public Theatre Dec. 7-9. It’s a tried and true holiday tradition, but at this particular theatre a performance of the Dickens’ classic always draws something fresh and new from the timeless story of Scrooge and Tiny Tim.

Over the past 14 years, L-A audiences have enjoyed The Public Theatre’s unique and acclaimed adaptation of “A Christmas Carol.” Another part of the tradition in recent years is the local show’s second half, in which Jennifer Armstrong performs “A Homespun Holiday,” a wonderful mix of classic holiday songs and storytelling with banjo, harp and guitar.

Schario’s inventive adaptation of the Dickens’ story emphasizes the warmth, charm and humor at the heart of the story. Much of Dickens’ original text is used as six actors share the narration and portray various characters with the aid of a simple hat, a cloak, a robe and other props.

A live fiddler underscores the story with traditional Christmas music, and a hand-cranked wind machine and a thunder sheet create a delightfully theatrical atmosphere.

The performance opens as a child sits on the stage reading from a book. As the child reads, five actors and the fiddler magically appear and slowly coax the child into joining the story and into becoming the character of Tiny Tim.

“It’s a marvelous metaphor for the way literature grabs and transforms us,” Schario said. It’s also an original way of illuminating this inspiring tale of human redemption.

This season’s TPT production of “A Christmas Carol” brings J.T. O’Connor to the role of Scrooge. O’Connor has performed previously at The Pubic Theatre in the farce “Rough Crossing,” and most recently as Axel in “The Nerd.” Jennifer Armstrong returns as the fiddler. Also new to the cast this season will be Theater at Monmouth favorite Dennis Price as Fred and Christmas Present.

The rest of the company includes Michael Frederic as Marley/Bob Cratchit, Maria Kelly as Belle/Fan, Sheila Stasack as Mrs. Cratchit/The Ghost of Christmas Past, and Emily Schario as Tiny Tim. Because the role is written for a child reading the Dicken’s story, it can be played by either a boy or a girl.

Emily Schario’s first appearance as Tiny Tim was four years ago when she was eight years old, and she is still younger than any actor who has played the role for The Public Theatre.

Since 1993, about 30 actors have played various roles, and Schario points out that this is an important reason for the production’s continuing freshness.

“Every professional actor always brings something different to a role,” he said. “One of my favorite times of the year is when I go into the rehearsal hall for ‘A Christmas Carol’ and find all these new things. This is not the same show this year,” he said. Schario’s adaptation has been published by Dramatists Play Service and is now regularly performed by various theaters around the world. This past week, he was in New York City to audition actors for up-coming shows.

As one actress finished up and started to leave, she said to Schario, “Oh, by the way, I’m doing your ‘Christmas Carol’ next month in a New Jersey theater.”

Schario also talked last year with representatives of a theatre in Hawaii who wanted permission to broadcast their production of Schario’s adaptation on PBS.

“An even greater thrill was discovering that a company in London, England, was going to be producing The Public Theatre’s script” this year, he said. “Winning the ‘stamp of approval’ from a company in London was a nice affirmation,” Schario added.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for students and seniors, and $10 for children under 12.

Performances at The Public Theatre, Lisbon and Maple streets, Lewiston, are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7-8, and at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9.