With corrupt cops in his pocket, Scrooge keeps rabble-rousing union workers such as Timothy Cratchit (Mikhail Roberts) under his shoe. When Scrooge is visited by the imposing ghost of his former partner Marley (a seemingly 8-foot-tall Dave Berges, with a nice basso profundo), Scrooge reflects on the decisions of his past and his lost love. The cast of 13 is well-costumed by Tanya Apuya and Caitlin Erin O'Hare, but less well served by the tame choreography and unimaginative, unambitious songs, one of which ("Memories Past") borrows liberally from "Baby, It's Cold Outside." Yet Paton Ashbrook as Scrooge's intended, Isabella, shares a lovely duet with him in "When We Are Wed" and Sadie Calvano shines as the little girl cast out onto the street.

Crown City Theatre,

11031 Camarillo St.,

North Hollywood;

Sun., 3 & 7 p.m.; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; thru Dec. 19.

(818) 745-8527.

(Review by Pauline Adamek)