Gary Beach will perform the title role of Ebenezer Scrooge in Theatre Under The Stars' (TUTS) Scrooge -- The Musical, Dec. 4-19 at Arena Theatre, 7326 Southwest Freeway in Houston.

TUTS' holiday fare, a musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," was written by Jim Bernhard and composer by Mark Holden.

Rent and "NYPD Blue" Rodney Hicks is featured as the "jive talking, jitterbugging Ghost of Christmas." The show's dazzling special effects include tap dancing, glow-in-the-dark skeletons and a glittering Toyland dream ballet in which dolls, toys, a teddy bear and even Christmas stockings and packages magically come to life.

Heading TUTS' production team ofScrooge are director and choreographer Michael Tapley, co choreographer Tito Hernandez and music supervisor Wayne Green. Richard Short will conduct the TUTS orchestra. Production includes set designer John Farrell, costume designer Ray Delle Robbins, lighting designer David Neville, sound designer Richard Fitzgerald, hair and wigs by Catherine Tucker and projection graphics by Leon Chenier. Scrooge's producer is John C. Breckenridge, company manager is Nicole Young and production stage manager is Bill Roberts.

Tickets run $16 -$55 and are on sale at the TUTS box office, 2600 Southwest Freeway, or at the Arena box office, Admission Network outlets (Sound Revolution, Vinal Edge) and Ticketmaster outlets (including Foley's, Kroeger and Fiesta). Charge by phone at (800) 678-5440 or on-line at www.tuts.com. -- By Murdoch McBride