The Fountain Hills Theater is doing A Christmas Carol: The Musical, now through Dec. 18. Written by Charles Dickens, adapted by Peter J. Hill and Jay Melberg, directed by Peter J. Hill and produced by Patricia Tonzi! They did the world premiere back in 2013 and every year it just gets better.

If you were lucky enough to be in the audience you were witness to something magical. Dickens was the first author to talk about the dire conditions of the poor in London and put it on paper. He probably had no idea he was writing for the ages.

With the help of the Ghost of Christmas Past, we are taken back to see what makes Ebenezer Scrooge who he is. Why would anyone call him Ebbie? Peter J. Hill, as Scrooge, continues to be simply the best of the best. He is on stage the entire play; need I say more? The irresistible Noel Irick steals every scene she is ever in; period. And Nicholas Jones, as Tiny Tim, will make you smile and perhaps shed a tear as well.

Our small theater is a shining beacon in our town and we need to support them without pause and question. Call for tickets at 480-837-9661x3. They also have a sing along on the Desert Belle on Dec. 17; a one-man show with the fabulous Patrick Russo in February and Broadway in the Hills on March 5.

After winning the Republic Services grant of $10,000 and gracefully splitting it with the Community Garden, they need a bit of help and anything you can do would be greatly appreciated. Why not start with this marvelous production?

As Dickens also said, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Let’s make it the best of times.”