Cross Dickens' A Christmas Carol with Gogol's The Inspector General and make great holiday entertainment. Why not? thought Seattle Repertory Theatre's resident company and former artistic director Daniel Sullivan (Broadway's Proof, A Moon for the Misbegotten) back in 1991.

Their creation, Inspecting Carol, was not only a hit for the company but went on to spawn multiple regional productions as an alternative to yet another December staging of A Christmas Carol. Nov. 19-Dec. 30, Inspecting Carol comes home for the holidays with a revival at the Rep, starring several members of the original cast.

In fact, seven original cast members return to their 1991 roles — Jeannie Carson, Alban Dennis, Barbara Dirickson, William Biff McGuire, Marianne Owen, Larry Paulsen and R. Hamilton Wright. Joining them will be Katie Forgette, David Silverman, Jeff Steitzer (who also directs) and G. Valmont.

Inspecting Carol is a farcical behind-the-scenes look at a struggling theatre company's attempt to mount its annual production of A Christmas Carol. Complicating the effort are prima donna performers, cast love affairs and a suprise visit from a National Endowment of the Arts funding inspector.

The design team features Andrew Wood Boughton (sets), Marcia Dixcy Jory (costumes), Rick Paulsen (lighting) and Stephen LeGrand (sound). Michael B. Paul is the stage manager. Opening night is Nov. 26. Tickets are $39-$15 with a $25 Red Cross benefit performance Nov. 24. Seattle Repertory Theatre is located in the Seattle Center at the corner of Second Avenue and Mercer Street. For reservations, call (206) 443-2222. Seattle Repertory Theatre is on the web at http://www.seattlerep.org.

— By Christine Ehren