The DeSales University Act 1 “A Christmas Carol” brings superb production values to the timeless classic.

The DeSales’ production back story is that the music is composed by the play’s director Dennis Razze, Act 1 artistic director and Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival associate artistic director. The adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella is by James L. Walker, for whom Razze has composed scores for other adaptations by Walker, including “The Silver Skates” and “Pollyanna.”

The Dec. 4 performance seen for this review on the Main Stage, where the play was presented Dec. 1 - 12 in DeSales’ Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, is as spine-tingling as it is inspirational. The audience is greeted by a stage set emblazoned with a big red book cover in a nice nod to the source material.

Razze’s score sets an ominous tone from the outset, appropriate since the full title of Dickens’ work is “A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas.” The theme of foreboding permeates the production in the dark set which doubles as a street bookended by street lamps and with tall windows that glow for interior scenes in the set design by Will Neuert, scenic designer, and the lighting by Eric T. Haugen, lighting designer.

The effects at times are startling, as well they should be, utilizing a panoply of hues and cues, including sound effects by David M. Greenberg, sound designer. At one point, a Ghost is hauled off by other like-minded souls, looking as scarifying as the Zombie Apocalypse scene from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video. The brief choreography by Christine Baglivio is as chilling here as it is warm in the Fezziwigs’ parlor dancing.

If you’re going to do “A Christmas Carol,” you’re going to need a good Scrooge. Johnny Drumgoole is a great Scrooge. Not for a minute do you think that he is a DeSales University junior, which he is, majoring in theater. He not only has the crouch down, he has the crotchety down. And he transforms steadily to a wiser, caring and more carefree Ebenezer by the end of the play.

The lineup of ghosts is crucial to “Christmas Carol,” and Act 1 has a bevy of ‘em. “To begin with,” to borrow from Dickens, Jacob Marley (Samir Brown) is quite dead, but still very animated.

The Ghost of Christmas Past (Gabby Snyder) is a child-like presence with just the right tinge of creepy.

The Ghost of Christmas Present (Joshua Schwirtz) is more kindly, but still firm in his countenance.

The Ghost of Christmas Future (Kevin Regan) is a tall order and will make other ghosts green with envy.

Kudos to Amy Best, costume designer, for these creations as well as historically-accurate attire for the large cast of 33 (by my count). Here again, the DeSales student cast excels in playing ages beyond or before their years.

As directed by Razze, produced by the technical staff and performed by the DeSales students, Act 1 keeps Dickens well.

Information: www.desales.edu; 610-282-1100