In perhaps the twistiest of all Christmas Carol twists, Atlanta's Alliance Theatre Company will offer a one-day only presentation, Dec. 15, of Tea With Scrooge, featuring selections from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol read by the author's great-great-grandson, Gerald Charles Dickens.

More than just a tribute, Dickens the younger is actually following in his great-grandpa's tradition; Charles Dickens used to travel across America portraying characters in his own books. Dressed in Victorian costume, Dickens fils will be joined by ghosts of Christmas past and a "veddy British" Father Christmas.

The reading takes place at the Grand Hotel Atlanta and comes complete with an elegant English tea -- clotted cream, tiny sandwiches, hot chocolate and, oh yes, tea, are among the goodies. Singing, games and raffles also promise to make Tea With Scrooge a happy holiday event. To make things extra familial, Dickens will sign hs father's book, Christmas With Dickens. Proceeds will go to benefit the Alliance Theatre Company's mission to develop theatre in the cultural and artistic life of metropolitan Atlanta.

For tickets ($25) and information on Tea With Scrooge, call (404) 733-4617.

--By David Lefkowitz