LEWISTON — The Public Theatre will present “A Christmas Carol” on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9, 10 and 11.

Performances will be followed by a sing-along featuring fiddler Jennifer Armstrong.

The Public Theatre’s own version of Charles Dickens’ classic has become a favorite holiday tradition in Lewiston-Auburn. This inventive adaptation, performed by six actors and a fiddler, was developed and written for The Public Theatre by Artistic Director Christopher Schario in 1993, and has since been published by Dramatists Play Service and is now regularly performed by theatres around the world.

“There’s a great reason why this story is told during the holidays and will never go away,” said Schario. “Sometimes it’s easy to forget the meaning of the season in all the holiday shopping. Watching Scrooge’s journey always awakens my holiday spirit and gets my heart ready to celebrate Christmas.”

With many different versions of this story in production, The Public Theatre’s adaptation remains the favorite of many.

“We stay true to the heart of the story, while at the same time imaginatively rejuvenating this familiar tale,” said Schario. “Much of Dickens’ original text is used, with six actors sharing narration, and portraying various characters with the aid of a simple costume piece. 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. Uncluttered by spectacle, the audience’s imagination is free to soar, and this classic story comes to life in a way you’ve never imagined.”

The Public Theatre’s version begins with a child reading a copy of Dickens’ novel. As the child reads, five actors and a fiddler magically appear and slowly coax the child into joining the story and becoming the character of Tiny Tim. It’s a metaphor for the way literature grabs and transforms people, as well as an original way of illuminating this tale of human redemption.

Leading the cast is Michael O’Brien as Scrooge. He’s a familiar face to Maine audiences following a long history onstage with the Theater at Monmouth and previous appearances at The Public Theatre.

Also returning is Russel Berrigan as Marley, and Sheila Stasack as Mrs. Cratchit.

Newcomers to this year’s production include local sixth-grader Kristian Keef in the role of the child, New York actress Kelsey Foltz in the role of Belle and Fan, and Nicholas Perron in the role of Fred.

Returning as the fiddler will be acclaimed musician and storyteller Jennifer Armstrong.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children 18 and younger.

Performances are at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10, and 2 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11. For tickets, visit publictheatre.org or call 207-782-3200.