Photo by Deb Gau Tina Snider and Paula Nemes use metal pot lids and xylophone mallets to create the sound of tolling bells.

MARSHALL — This weekend, Christmas season enthusiasts will get the chance to experience a classic holiday story in the style of a radio drama.

A cast of 20 actors, music and sound effects will all help bring “A Christmas Carol” to life for a live audience.

The Marshall Area Stage Company will be presenting an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ story on Friday night, and Saturday afternoon and evening, in the community room at the Marshall-Lyon County Library. On Dec. 23, the show will be broadcast on Marshall Radio, said director Mark Wilmes.

People who come to see the live performances will get a unique look at how a radio drama is made.

“You not only get to see how all the sound effects are made, but see the cast and how they can change their voice to portray different characters,” said Stacy Abraham, a Marshall resident who is playing one of the many roles in the story. “Also, it’s a classic story of how, as humans, we can change, see the positives in life and show kindness to others. ”

The show will star Stu Melby, of Brookings, S.D., as the voice of Ebenezer Scrooge. Ross Holmberg, of Wood Lake, will be the narrator for the show. Cast members also include Perry Anderson, Jr., of Brookings, as the ghost of Jacob Marley; Gabby Thooft of Tyler as the Ghost of Christmas Past; Bob Schwoch of Marshall as the Ghost of Christmas Present; and James Telgren of Tyler and Julie Danielowski of Walnut Grove as Bob Cratchit and Mrs. Cratchit.

Cast members say it’s been fun being part of the radio show.

“I really enjoyed it,” Abraham said. Abraham’s first performance with MASC was a radio drama. “I’ve been hooked ever since. It’s been so much fun practicing my British accent and hearing how everyone else portrays their characters. There are a lot of talented actors.”

“I heard about the show at a Tyler Arts Council meeting and I know several fun people in the production,” said Sandy Hanson, a Tyler resident who plays a charwoman in Scrooge’s vision of Christmas Yet to Come. “I had been in ‘A Christmas Carol: The Musical,’ so was familiar with the roles. The time commitment was easily workable and there was no need to get ‘off book’ with no memorization required, so I auditioned. It has been fun to see so many people come together and bring their roles to life.”

MASC’s radio drama of “A Christmas Carol” was adapted by Emilirose Rasmusson, and Emilirose’s mother Paula Nemes is the show’s sound effects director. Nemes said her family used to enjoy listening to radio serials during long car trips.

“I convinced the MASC Board to give radio dramas a try, and we started out with ‘The Invisible Man,’ directed by Bob Schwoch,” Nemes said. “The script was from Alien Voices, an acting company founded by Star Trek alumni, which had several classics adapted into radio scripts.”

Nemes said those first few scripts were purchased with royalties.

“To save money, and provide some creative outlet, Emilirose and I started writing radio adaptations of classics and fairytales, including ‘A Christmas Carol,’ which probably came onto our radar not just because it is quintessential, but because our favorite (‘Star Trek’) captain, Patrick Stewart, did an audio version where he voiced all the characters.”

Nemes said she enjoys sharing these productions with live audiences.

“I love seeing the audience close their eyes and get that special listening experience, and I really enjoy showing kids and adults what we use to make all the sound effects,” she said.

If you go

Performances “A Christmas Carol” will be at 7 p.m. tonight at the Marshall-Lyon County Library, and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $5.