It's the night before Christmas, so our story begins in darkness, both literal and metaphorical. Jacob Marley, played with empathy by Christopher Cantrell, is in Hell. Providentially, there's a way out, but it's nigh on impossible: He must find a way to get Ebenezer Scrooge (Dennis Rolly), the only man in London stingier than himself, to recognize the error of his ways by Christmas morning. He'll receive questionable assistance from a Gaelic imp called the Bogle (Ryan Holmberg) plus utility player Tim Goebel; but Scrooge, that old crocodile, proves a tough nut to crack.

Read my full review of the show here.

[Olympia Little Theatre, Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol, through Dec. 19, 7:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 1:55 p.m. Sunday, $10-$12, 1925 Miller Ave. NE, Olympia, 360.786.9484]