A ‘Carol’ told with an Irish lilt

Some might think an Irish version of the quintessentially English “A Christmas Carol” a wee bit misguided, considering the fractious history between the two countries. However, in the spirit of the season, the folks at the Celtic Arts Center reach for -- and largely achieve -- cultural detente in “Christmas O’Carol,” a distinctly Irish treatment of Dickens’ beloved tale concluding tonight at the group’s Valley Village enclave.

Michael Sean McGuinness and Dan Conroy add yet another spirit to Dickens’ ghost-ridden narrative in their flavorful adaptation. Here, a mysterious stranger visits a curmudgeonly Irish countryman by his lonely hearthside on Christmas Eve. The visitor, who later turns out to be supernatural in nature, relates the story of Ebenezer Scruasha, a miserly Irishman who, under the tutelage of several guiding spirits, achieves redemption and learns the true meaning of Christmas.

Of course, the stranger has a salubrious effect on his grumpy listener as well. But placing a ghost story within a ghost story, and a tale of redemption within a tale of redemption, is a neat framing device.

Sprightly live music enhances the Celtic ambience. A particularly fascinating touch is the transformation of the Fezziwigs’ Christmas party into a traditional verse play featuring the folkloric Irish character of Jack Straw, complete with magical mock battles between St. Patrick and the detested Oliver Cromwell.

Largely, however, the plot follows a familiar course to the satisfyingly durable denouement. In Conroy’s effectively simple staging, a small but stalwart cast essays a variety of roles. The strongest performer, co-author McGuinness, jerks a few tears as Scruasha’s poor clerk, Tom Kearney, while Mark Tracy is howlingly good as Scruasha’s deceased business partner, Declan Hurley.

Sadly, Eugene Boles’ Scruasha was grasping for lines at an early performance, a failing that put the audience on edge and lent an element of uncertainty to this otherwise smooth production. Fortunately, Boles largely redeemed himself with a strong finish, belatedly achieving the authority and depth required for his crucial role.

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“Christmas O’Carol,” Celtic Arts Center Theatre, 4843 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Valley Village. Ends 8 tonight. $15. (818) 760-8322. Running time: 1 hour.