It’s one of the most iconic and beloved Christmas stories of all time, with a message that resonates today more than ever. Local thespian Frank Ballesteros has spent years bringing Ebenezer Scrooge’s character to life in his production of “Humbug!” Finally, after three years, he can return to the stage in a nine-day run with his Madd Hatter Players.

“ ’Humbug!’ is the familiar story of Charles Dickens’s ‘A Christmas Carol,’ ” Ballesteros said. “Most of the production is the same as Dickens told the story, with the three ghosts like in the movies, with just a couple of modifications.”

Ballesteros and his theater troupe began performing “Humbug!” for audiences throughout the Bay Area in 1976. The company decided to bring the production home to East Contra Costa County several years ago.

The production was doing well in East County, with little variation until 2019, when Ballesteros had to make a few adjustments to the program due to knee and hip surgery just a few weeks before the show. Stating the mantra “the show must go on,” the troupe arranged for Ballesteros to have a specially decorated walker to use while playing the role of Scrooge.

“I did some research and found the English invented the walker in the 1800s,” he said. This turned out to be perfect since Dickens wrote ‘A Christmas Carol’ in 1843.

During COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, Ballesteros experienced more health problems when he simultaneously had COVID and sepsis, causing him to go into a convalescent hospital for nine months. Today Ballesteros finds walking challenging, and doing a nine-day show may prove difficult. He decided he would need to use his electric scooter during the production.

“We’re already working on decorating the scooter to make it fit in with the production,” he said. “Even though I’m handicapped, I will be performing at my best.”

Audiences will witness visits from the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future and follow Scrooge on his journey of Christmas transformation thanks to the help of local real estate developer Sean McCauley. McCauley was instrumental in helping Ballesteros and Jim Lanter, a longtime friend and producer of the show, find a place to host the theatrical performance of “Humbug!”

“Sean provided the old Elite Dance Studio on G Street,” Lanter said. “We were able to construct the property into a theater. With the props and everything set up, it looks great.”

“Humbug!” performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16-17 and Dec. 19-22, at 2 p.m. Dec. 17-18 and at 1 p.m. Dec. 24. The production will take place at 314 G St. in Antioch. Tickets, which will only be sold at the door, are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for children ages 7 to 12. For more information, email jim@jimlanter.com or call 925-584-9265.

Special performance: Black Diamond Ballet is celebrating its 10th annual production of “The Nutcracker” with weekend performances Dec. 10-11 and Dec. 16-18 at El Campanil Theatre. This year the ballet will offer a special sensory-friendly performance at 2 p.m. Dec. 17.

This special one-hour show is designed especially for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, sensory sensitivities or other disabilities. To provide a supportive and welcoming environment for individuals and families, sensory-friendly performances include house lights at a low level during the show, a reduction of loud sounds and flashing or jarring lights, and a quiet area designated in the lobby.

A tour before the show of the theater space at 3 p.m. Dec. 16 can be arranged by contacting the box office. The ticket price for all seats during this performance is $25. For showtimes, ticket prices for other performances or more information about Black Diamond Ballet, visit blackdiamondballet.org online.

Roni Gehlke can be reached at oakleynow@comcast.net.