CORNING, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Corning-Painted Post High School (CPPHS) Drama Club is putting on an original spin on the beloved tale "A Christmas Carol" with its original musical, "Scrooge the Musical."

Based on the classic novel by Charles Dickens, the plot tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who despises Christmas. On Christmas Eve, the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future each visit him hoping he will learn the error of his ways. 

Marley is one of the most pivotal characters in the story, and is played by Wyatt Smith in CPPHS' production. Throughout the rehearsal process, Wyatt said he has become very fond of the role.

"It's definitely the part that I wanted," he said. "All the singing, music, dancing, choreography, staging...really makes it that much better."

Despite there being multiple versions of "A Christmas Carol" for theatrical groups to perform, David Smith Jr. -- the director and composer of CPPHS' production -- wanted to create a version that today's society can relate to.

"I'd already [known] there were a few other retellings, and I wanted to make it really different," he said. "I wanted to make it something that had younger type music in it; just something...the audience could really relate to."

When composing the music for the production, Smith Jr. wanted to have a wide diverse area of musical interests.

"Each character would have its own musical genre," he said. "So, we have a little bit of rock music, a little bit of soul and a little bit of classical, all mixed into one. We [also] have...a few surprises for the audience when they come [to] see it."

Since the production has become a holiday tradition for many in Steuben County, Smith Jr. wanted to also use it as a way to give back to the community.

"We've done this show several times in the past, and every time people say it puts them into the Christmas spirit," he said. "This year...we are working with the Salvation Army. We are ringing the bell...before the show starts to try to raise money during a different difficult time of year."

"Scrooge the Musical" plays at the Corning-Painted Post High School Dec. 15 - 18. Performances will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and Sunday's show will start at 2 p.m. All tickets are $10 and can either be bought at the door or online here.