Rehearsals are under way in Buckhannon for Charles Dickens' classic tale of "A Christmas Carol." This specially-adapted stage version will be presented by the Parish Players Thursday through Saturday in the new Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts located on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College. The production gets under way at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday.

"I am thrilled with the cast we have assembled," said director Ron Williams. "Although we have many fresh new faces on the stage, we also have some very talented veteran actors who have been willing to step into these roles for a very worthy cause."

The worthy causes that will benefit from the show include The Parish House, The Upshur County Service Unit of the Salvation Army and the Horizon's Church Food Pantry. These charitable organizations will receive all proceeds from the show, after production costs.

"It's like having the best of both worlds," Williams said. "We get to do what we enjoy doing most, and at the same time we are able to help those most in need. A production like this might cost us as much as $5,000 and our goal is to donate as much as $15,000 when this production is over. The ticket prices are only $10 for adults and $7 for children age 12 and under. We are hoping, however, that people will come with open hearts and donate even more to help us defray those costs."

Williams, who wrote the stage adaptation as well, said that "the rehearsals are going great. My wife, Sandy (who is also costume director) has been working very hard to keep me focused, get the cast costumed and she is playing the character of Mrs. Cratchit in the show."

Among the cast there are two prominent roles being filled from among the WVWC Theater Department. They include professional actor and WVWC Theater and Dance Chairmain Greg Mach (The Narrator) and Joshua Peters (Fred), who has recently directed "Godspell" on the Wesleyan stage.

The lead character of Ebenezer Scrooge is portrayed by Richard Douglas. Veteran actors from Buckhannon Community Theatre include Brian Williams as Marley's Ghost, Jerry Leigh and Sandy Williams as Mr. and Mrs. Bob Cratchit, Shelby Williams as spirit one, Ciara Williams as Belle and Dave Carson as spirit two.

Other cast members include Oliver King as Tiny Tim Cratchit, Charles Simms as spirit three, Dave Burr and Jasper Alfred as gentlemen, Karen and Clay Persinger as the Fezziwigs, Anita DeLaHunt as the Charwoman, and Julia Brady as Mrs. Dilber. Other Cratchit family members include Logan Warner, Mariah Stocker, Julia Sanford, Dakota Teter and Katie Cunningham. The cast is rounded out by Sara Cunningham, Graham Scott, Alex Mach, Logan Leigh, Spencer Loudin, Nathan Stocker, Lindsay Moss, Julia Sanford, Sabastian Reger, Sam Wolford, Richard Williams, Emily King, Taylor Cunningham, John Antolini, and Abby and Emma Loudin.

The play will also feature some traditional Christmas music. Listed among the choir members are Caroline Dees, Sabrina Loudin, Sabrinna Wiley and Stephanie Fletcher.

Tickets are on sale now in Buckhannon at Diane's Hallmark, The Bookstore, St. Charles Inn and Ralston Press. For more information, call 304-472-3333.