The ghosts of Christmas past, present and future will be paying a visit to old Ebenezer Scrooge again this week as Ashland Community College presents its 10th anniversary production of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."

Performances will be at 8 p.m. Dec. 5, 6 and 7 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at the J.B. Sowards Theater on ACC's campus.

"The show has evolved greatly from its beginning," director Edward Figgins said. "I think this production holds its own with the shows from the last couple of years. The show gets better and better the more you do it."

Figgins said the set, costumes and score has improved each year and the play has become a staple of many people's Christmas season.

"For many people, it has become part of their holiday tradition," he said. "If you are looking for good family entertainment you can't go wrong with this production."

The cast consists of 44 singers and actors from across the Tri-State. Several Lawrence County residents participate in the production.

Lissa Born of Ironton, and her two children Gabrielle, 12, and Jeffrey, 7, are in the play. After learning that ACC was having open auditions, the family decided to give it a try.

"It has been a lot of fun and the people there are great," Lissa said. "The kids seem to enjoy it and it will be a wonderful play for the 10th anniversary."

Jeffrey plays Tiny Tim and said he has had a lot of fun.

"I have been in a whole bunch of plays," he said. "I do not get nervous anymore, but it is a little hard.

My crutch was too big. I am the smallest Tiny Tim ever."

Ironton teen-ager Brea Gee is a townsperson in the play, and said she was amazed at how the actors get so into their roles.

"It is really a good play with a lot of dedicated people," she said. "The play will help me get over my shyness and also help give something back to the community."

Tickets for the production are available at the ACC bookstore or by calling (606) 326-2014 to reserve tickets with a credit card. Adult tickets are $6 and students, seniors and groups of 10 or more are $4 per ticket. Tickets for ACC and ATC students are $2.