No one needs a reminder of where that Christmas sentiment comes from — Charles Dickens’ beloved “Christmas Carol,” the story that appeared in 1843 and is now immortal. “A Christmas Carol” was Dickens’ first of five “Christmas books,” as he called them, and it sold more than six thousand copies in one week — and it’s been in print ever since.

The story has proved especially dramatic since its creation. Dickens himself used it for his very first public reading, given in Birmingham Town Hall to the Industrial and Literary Institute, on Dec. 27, 1852. A few days later he repeated his one-man performance for an audience of working people, and the public response was tremendous.

“A Christmas Carol” was part of Dickens’ repertoire up until his death, and it was especially popular on his two trips to America, where he toured the country giving readings and performances. “A Christmas Carol” has also inspired movies, plays, musicals, and even a Muppet show. This year’s Lantern Light Tour at Mystic Seaport tells the story of people in 1876 putting on a production of Dickens’ story.

The Granite Theatre in Westerly has presented many different versions of “A Christmas Carol” over the years, and this year the local troupe stages a traditional version of the tale.

“It’s the classic version that we’ll be doing this year,” says David Jepson, artistic director of the Granite Theatre, who will step into the role of Scrooge for this year’s presentation (the play opens Friday, Nov. 28 and runs through Dec. 21). “We’re also using the maximum amount of child characters this year, so the young people in the story will be well represented.”

Nine boys and girls, most of them newcomers to the Westerly stage, will be making an appearance this year in “A Christmas Carol.” Bobby Gestrich and Dylan Temel, both of Pawcatuck, will be alternating in the role of Tiny Tim, and Mandi Serra of Bradford and Kaitlyn Williams of Pawcatuck will share duties in the role of Tiny Tim’s sister, Belinda Cratchit.

Other young teens on stage will include Russell Royality-Lindman of Wakefield as Young Scrooge; Mary Kate Tobin of Pawcatuck as Belle; Sarah Gervasini of Westerly as Betsy Holliwell and Mrs. Mullins; Alex Morgan of Westerly as Peter Cratchit, and Grace Rezendes of Pawcatuck as Fan.

“Grace is the only one who’s been with us before,” Jepson says of Rezendes, who’s a student at Stonington High School. “She was our dance captain for ‘My Fair Lady,’ which she also appeared in, and she’s been a stage manager for us as well. She’ll be doing that again next summer. She’s growing up fast, and she’s been a big help to us. We’re grateful for all of the kids who’ve come out for this show; they’ve been terrific, their parents are very supportive, and they make it very special.”

Sometimes, Jepson says, the younger actors are more adept than the adults at learning lines and developing their roles. “Some of their accents are terrific,” he says. “Sometimes you have adults who just have a real problem wrapping themselves around an accent, but these kids sound like they’ve just come over from England!”

Jepson also thinks he might have found a fledgling director among the youngsters. “I was surprised, actually, that one of our little kids is coming across as a budding director. He finds typos in the script, and he brings it to the director’s attention when actors have forgotten to do something they’re supposed to do. For the most part he’s very helpful.”

“A Christmas Carol” is a special challenge for both young and old actors, with most performers learning two or even three roles to play over the course of the evening. In all, 17 actors flesh out at least 35 characters on stage, to create a teeming 19th-century London metropolis.

Along with Jepson in the part of Scrooge, the cast also includes Beth Jepson as the Ghost of Christmas Past; John Cillino as Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s much put-upon clerk; Michael and Mary Sue Chiaradio as the jolly Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig; Matthew Royality-Lindman of Wakefield as the Ghost of Jacob Marley; and Brian Olsen as William and Old Joe.

New to the Granite stage is Nicholas Mikkelsen, a graduate of Westerly High School now in his first year at the University of Rhode Island, who will play Fred, Scrooge’s nephew. Mikkelsen has appeared in “South Pacific,” “Grease” and “Peter Pan” at WHS, and also in “Godspell” with Ungar/Madison Productions.

“Rehearsals have been great,” says Mikkelsen, “and it’s always interesting, there’s always something new to discover in this show; you’re always finding out new things.”

The director for “A Christmas Carol” will be Arthur Pignataro, who was last seen as Alfred P. Doolittle in “My Fair Lady.”

And parents might note, there will be a “special appearance” by a certain jolly old fellow in a big red suit, at the Saturday and Sunday matinee performances.

Performances are Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., and Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m., with additional Saturday matinees on Dec. 6, 13 and 20; plus an early evening performance Sunday, Dec. 14. For reservations and more information call the box office at 401-596-2341 or click here to visit the Granite Theatre web site.