A familiar Christmas classic is getting some new energy.

The Nash Arts Center in Nashville is taking a more traditional approach to its annual production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” but adding one big difference from previous years, director Jim Singleton said. While the production again will be set in 1842 in London, this year, Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Crachit, the Ghost of Christmas Present and most of the other beloved characters will be played by teenagers.

“The young people are so energetic. We have enhanced certain parts because of that. We have an amazing amount of talent from all over Nash County. Folks from almost every high school are in it, and home school people are in it,” Singleton said.

This is the center’s ninth year showing the play in one adaptation or another and Singleton’s eighth time directing. The performances are at 8 p.m. Dec. 3, 4 and 5.

This is turning out to be Jennifer Moore’s favorite production of the show. Acting in the musical has become a tradition for Moore, and her daughter, Haley Brantley, and her stepchildren, Nelson and Mary Helen Moore. It is a good way for them to spend time together and use their musical talents.

The show will feature songs from different versions of the story performed over the years, including “Scrooge: The Musical,” “The Muppet Christmas Carol” and “Mister Magoo’s Christmas Carol,” Moore said.

“It is a musical. It has been adapted somewhat from the production that we did last year, but it is giving the young people a chance to actually be a part of larger roles that they wouldn’t really be considered for in community theater because most of the large roles go primarily to the adults,” Moore said.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for Nash Arts members, seniors and children 12 and younger.

For more information, call 459-4734.