5 WASATCH FRONT THEATERS COME A `CAROL'ING THIS WEEK

Five theaters along the Wasatch Front are opening their various versions of what has become a holiday tradition for thousands of Utah theatergoers - Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."

Hale Center Theater's popular production is celebrating its 10th year, with no end in sight. While it may not be the "granddaddy" of local "A Christmas Carol" productions (Ralph Rodgers is generally credited with getting the Salt Lake tradition started with his portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge 20 years ago at Promised Valley Playhouse), the South Salt Lake theater-in-the-round has seen its by-the-book version evolve into something of a hallmark for diehard Dickens fans.Both the Terrace Plaza Playhouse in Ogden and the StageStop Theater in Collinston are mounting new versions of "A Christmas Carol" with music - not exactly "musicals," but with songs inserted into the tale.

Here's a rundown:

- THE HALE CENTER THEATERS in South Salt Lake and Orem both present fairly straight-forward stage versions of the classic tale of greed and redemption.

- The South Salt Lake edition stars Richard G. Wilkins, Provo, as Ebenezer Scrooge. His role is not double-cast. Most other roles are played by actors who perform on alternating nights.

Other cast members include Nathan Landmon, Kyle Cottam, Andy West, Tom Stam, Jim Giles, Mark Ziegler, Jerry Forrest, Brad Hagen, Melany Wilkins, Teresa Wilde, Cherilyn Gulbransen, Matthew Call, Danny Adams, Jenell Slack, MeriLynne Michaelis, Julie Christensen, Andrew Nielsen, Curt Doussett, Jedd Thorderson, Jayson Oldroyd, Clara Susan Morey, Debbie Zeis, Scott Urie, Weston Hayes, Claire Wilkins, Sara Adams, Jim Thorderson, Gary Wilde, Lisa Lawson, Emily Aiken, Mike Guarino and Mike Williams.

HCT's "A Christmas Carol" will play nightly, Monday-Saturdays, at 8 p.m. from Nov. 24 through Dec. 23, with matinees at 3 p.m. Dec. 3, 10 and 17 and at 5 p.m. Dec. 16 and 19-23. Ticket prices range from $9 to $12, depending on age and performance time. All seats are reserved. Call the HCT box office at 484-9257 or stop by the theater, 2801 S. Main.

- The HCT/Orem production has William Bisson and Chris H. Bower, both veteran actors with credits on numerous Utah stages, alternating as Scrooge, with Mark Pulham and Cory Sackett alternating as Bob Cratchit.

Merrill Dodge is directing, with Rex Kocherhans supervising the choir (assisted by Coleen Toone), and Melinda Larson choreographing the show.