It’s the Three Scrooges : Review: South Coast Repertory show is, as always, a shining holiday ornament.

It’s been said before (probably about 12 times, now that the production is in its 13th year) and it can be said again: South Coast Repertory’s “A Christmas Carol” is a polished and satisfying ornament for the holidays.

While lacking the intimacy and literary spirit of the more modest “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”--GroveShakespeare’s adaptation of Dylan Thomas’ poetic recollections--”A Christmas Carol” serves as a large-scaled symbol for the season.

In these parts, at least, SCR’s annual trek to Scrooge’s world may seem as much a part of the rite of Christmas as shopping lists and catching “It’s a Wonderful Life” on TV. I know a couple who refuse to miss the SCR production; they say it wouldn’t be right, almost like forgetting to decorate the tree.

I don’t know about that, but I do know that this year’s effort (which opened last weekend) doesn’t disappoint, and the prime reason is Hal Landon Jr., the company’s veteran Scrooge. Landon’s portrayal has become darker, more internalized, in recent outings, and it’s an evolution that makes emotional sense.

Landon does indulge in a spate of boyish antics for Scrooge’s famous rejuvenation scene after all those pushy ghosts have left the premises. His rebirth comes with some giggling, a few sight gags, even a somersault over the bed. It’s a release of good humor that the audience likes; you’re relieved that this king of curmudgeons has a chance to reinvent himself.

Before that, though, Landon’s Scrooge is a clenched fist of stinginess, bad vibes and nasty intentions. Landon doesn’t make a huge deal of all this, but he lets us know how really mean someone can get.

He’s also in tune with the production’s overall tone. Director John-David Keller takes Jerry Patch’s adaptation and keeps it somber and free of extravagant acting. No squealing from Tiny Tim or teary-eyed musings from Bob Cratchit, thank you. Keller lets the Dickens story do the talking, and, as we all know, it’s a very good story.

Everything is really geared toward Landon’s performance, and, at times, the other actors come across as mere props, or straight men and women used to set Scrooge up. But John Ellington’s Cratchit reveals sparks of ironic humor along the way, and Howard Shangraw as Fred, Scrooge’s nephew, offers flashes of ironic pathos.

Besides Scrooge, the tastiest roles go to Marley (Don Took) and the spirits of Christmas Past (Wayne Alexander) and Present (Ron Michaelson). Marley, dressed as a Victorian Beetlejuice in punk chains and swampy green makeup, tries to spook us. He succeeded with at least one patron, a little girl sitting near me who left sniffling, escorted by her mother.

The spirits, except for a silent and hooded skeleton of a thing that identifies itself as Christmas Yet to Come, are more amiable sorts, intent on arousing our sympathy for Scrooge in gentler ways.

On the technical side, this year’s staging looks dank and a bit eerie, which is fine, although Cliff Faulkner’s quick-change scenery does remind one of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion at times. The moodiness is augmented by Donna and Tom Ruzika’s dark fairy-tale lighting, especially put to good use during Scrooge’s midnight visitations.

This shadowy aspect gives way by the familiar denouement, when generosity and hope descend on Scrooge and the entire show. Once the transformation is complete, the only way to describe the evening’s look is loving and rosy.

‘A Christmas Carol’

Hal Landon Jr.: Ebenezer Scrooge

John Ellington: Bob Cratchit

Blaire Notrica: Tiny Tim

Jonathan Turco: Tiny Tim

Ron Michaelson: Spirit of Christmas Present

Wayne Alexander: Spirit of Christmas Past

Don Took: Marley’s Ghost/Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come

Richard Soto: Ebenezer as a Young Man

Mikael Salazar: Marley as a Young Man

Devon Raymond: Belle

Art Koustik: Fezziwig

Hisa Takakuwa: Sally

Howard Shangraw: Fred

Alyson Kamp Fan

Jennifer Landa: Fan

A South Coast Repertory production of Charles Dickens’ story, adapted by Jerry Patch. Director: John-David Keller. With John-Frederick Jones, David Francis, Deanne Lorette, Dan Cordova, Vetza Trussell, Ian Driscall, Phillip Merkow, Marilyn Fox, Amanda Guilford, Holly Simonson, Gabriel Kalomas, Seth Corr, Casey Collier, Marianne Davis, Aaron Bertram and Jonathan Ficcadenti. Sets: Cliff Faulkner. Costumes: Dwight Richard Odle. Lighting: Donna and Tom Ruzika. Sound: Stephen Shaffer. Music: Diane King. Performances Tuesday through Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at noon and 4 p.m.; and Christmas Eve at noon and 4 p.m. through Dec. 27. At 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. $21 to $27. (714) 957-4033. Running time: 2 hours.