A Mature ‘Christmas Carol’ at South Coast Rep

South Coast Repertory’s production of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is beginning its third decade as a Southland holiday staple. It has taken time, but it has grown up.

In 1980, it clowned more and reveled in un-Dickensian pratfalls. Not anymore. Laughs are still there, but they’re honest laughs, and a respectable depth has been found to give it the heart, warmth and empathy it deserves.

John-David Keller’s buoyant direction also finds its dark moments, and many of the actors in the present cast have been playing their roles for two decades. Time has made performances richer and more true. The production, like vintage champagne, seems about to carbonate, a good sign that the company knows how to hone the story’s inherent charm and keep its simple story fresh.

Playwright Jerry Patch’s script improves a bit on the original. Gone is the Boxing Day scene in which Scrooge surprises Bob Cratchit with his newfound joy. In its place is a simple scene in which Scrooge delivers the prize turkey to the Cratchits and passes out gifts to their kids.

Like many others, Patch doesn’t adhere to Dickens’ portrait of the Spirit of Christmas Past, which describes a teenage boy with bare, muscular arms and long, flowing white hair. Instead, the character is dressed in the high style of Scrooge’s boyhood, and he’s middle-aged and slightly bossy. This characterization works well because of the impeccable performance of Richard Doyle.

As Scrooge, Hal Landon Jr. has lost some of the glibness he had in last year’s production, and though this is his 21st season in the role, he makes every moment real. As Cratchit, David Whalen has a nice warmth. This adds immensely to the office and family scenes, particularly his play with Tiny Tim (adorable alternate Gregory Swanson) and Mrs. Cratchit (delightful Devon Raymond), who fits the role and the period beautifully.

The supporting cast, some from the 1980s and some recently brought on board, provides color, exuberance and, most notably, a sense of humor, even in the script’s bleaker moments. Howard Shangraw’s nephew Fred is a rich portrait, bubbling and full of subtle comic effects. Art Koustik as Joe and Mr. Fezziwig wears the roles as though he’d always been wearing them, as does Martha McFarland as Mrs. Fezziwig and a solicitor.

Richard Soto and Mark Coyan, as Young Scrooge and Young Marley, provide rounded and real portraits in difficult roles, and Susannah Schulman has a marvelous moment as Scrooge’s youthful love, Belle. She bids goodbye to the kind, thoughtful young man and the nasty businessman that Scrooge has become.

Timothy Landfield is also notable as Christmas Present, in his youthful bubbly self and as his older, sadder and wiser self.

The special effects, gorgeous sound design (by Garth Hemphill) and the entire look and feel of the production remain superlative, along with some delightfully remembered moments, particularly Landon’s always surprising dive into his top hat, somersaulting over his bed to greet a new day and a new life.

“A Christmas Carol,” South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tuesdays-Fridays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, noon and 4 p.m. Ends Dec. 24. $17-$41. (714) 708-5555. Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes.

‘A Christmas Carol’

Hal Landon Jr.: Ebenezer Scrooge

David Whalen: Bob Cratchit

Howard Shangraw: Fred

Art Koustik: Mr. Fezziwig/Joe

Martha McFarland: Mrs. Fezziwig/Solicitor

Richard Doyle: Christmas Past

Timothy Landfield: Christmas Present

Devon Raymond: Mrs. Cratchit

Susannah Schulman: Belle

Mark Coyan: Young Marley

Richard Soto: Young Scrooge

A South Coast Repertory production of Jerry Patch’s adaptation of Dickens’ novella. Directed by John-David Keller. Scenic design: Cliff Faulkner. Lighting design: Donna and Tom Ruzika. Costume design: Dwight Richard Odle. Sound design: Garth Hemphill. Music director: Dennis Castellano. Choreography: Linda Kostalik.

Stage manager: Scott Harrison.