UJfullJamestown (CSi) The University of Jamestown’s next production is Charles Dickens, “A Christmas Carol,” the classic tale of redemption and Christmas, November 6-8, 2014 at the Reiland Fine Arts Center.

On Friday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2 the director Mike McIntyre said the cast of 50 people, along with 25 or so in the orchestra, is one of the largest productions ever staged at the University.

There are 20 roles played by children from the community, from elementary school to high school.

The Musical Director is Richard Walentine, with Rena Haatvedt the Director of Choreography.

Featured songs are by Alan Menken, who wrote the music for many successful Disney animated movies in the 1990s like “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin.””

UJ senior,Jacoby Holte was also on the show, he plays Ebenezer Scrooge, the stingy old man who is transformed into a kinder soul after being visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve.

Also joining us was junior, Sydney Johnson who plays The Ghost of Christmas Past.

Chris Koppinger, another UJ student, is playing Bob Crachit, Scrooge’s clerk and father of the Crachit family, including Tiny Tim, played by Jackson Walters.

Holte said he hasn’t done a lot of theater work in the past and was a bit surprised he got one of the lead roles. Holte was the lead in the university’s production of “Carousel” last year.

Holte said the biggest challenge he has faced is consistency. He said playing an older man with an accent and trying to convey more than just the surface emotions of what Scrooge is going through has been tough.

McIntyre added that Holte has a dynamic voice, which makes it possible for him to cover different demands as to what certain roles he might ask for.

Performance are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, November 6-8/

Tickets may be purchased at the Reiland Fire Arts Center box office, room 130, from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling (701) 252-3467, ext. 5435, or by email at tickets@uj.edu.