COSTA MESA, Calif. — Over the course of one very busy evening, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by several ghosts who take him on a time traveling journey. South Coast Rep takes audiences on a similar trek to past, present and future in their annual production of "A Christmas Carol."

Actor Richard Doyle has been involved for 40 years. He’s played Scrooge’s nephew, Fred. He’s played Fezziwig and Joe, the cider vendor. Mostly, he’s played the Ghost of Christmas past. All those years, founding member Hal Landon Jr. portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge, but after 40 seasons, he hung up his humbug and Richard Doyle slipped into the character.

There have been changes over the years, but some things remain the same. The costume for the Ghost of Christmas Present is the same one that was used in the first production.

Lighting designers Donna and Tom Ruzika drew the original grid and are still illuminating the show 42 years later.  

"The real trick here has been to bring that back every year," Doyle said of the show. "And refresh it and make it fun and entertaining, and moving."

"A Christmas Carol" runs through Dec. 24.