Tim Ryan, drama director at Durham Community School, chose the Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol” for the school’s play, scheduled for Nov. 17-18 at 6:30 p.m.

Once Ryan began organizing what turned out to be a 79-student cast of students in grades 4-8 for the production, he was surprised at how many of them weren’t familiar with Scrooge, the Cratchits, Tiny Tim and The Spirts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

“What surprised me was how few of the students actually knew the classic story of Ebeneezer Scrooge,” Ryan said. “What they knew about it they learned from the Muppet Christmas Carol. So this will be a great experience for all as they bring this literary classic to life and learn about it at the same time. I did have to explain the difference between Jacob Marley and (musician) Bob Marley a few times.”

Ryan is working with producer Cindy Mains on the play. While the story might have been new to some students, it didn’t matter when it came to choosing seventh-grader Charlie Chipman to play the part of Ebenezeer Scrooge, the stingy old man who repented his evil ways at the end of the story. Ryan said that Chipman started acting two years ago, and by last year, played the role of Captain Hook in the school’s production of “Peter Pan.” Chipman has come on strong as an actor, Ryan said.

“He was awesome as Captain Hook,” Ryan said. “When you’ve got Michael Jordan on your team, you start looking where to put him. Charlie gives of himself. He’s not afraid of being silly, which stops a lot of young kids from being actors.”

Other cast members include Andrew Brousseau as the Ghost of Jacob Marley, Eva Simmons as the Spirit of Christmas Past, Aleisha Welch as the Spirit of Christmas Present, Peter “Sheamus” Noone as the Spirit of Christmas Future, Kempton Von Glinsky Gregorie as Cratchit’s overworked clerk and Kathryn Roy as his wife.

Ryan, Mains and the students began rehearsals for “A Christmas Carol” in mid-September, and need to take advantage of the time remaining to get it down, Ryan said.

“We’re still at the critical stage,” he said last Friday. “But it’s starting to show life.”

Mains is the grandmother of Freeport High School sophomore Kylie Stuflick, who along with Ryan’s daughter, Maggie Ryan, is a co-director of the play. Chipman’s father, Brian, is the set designer.

A school play at Durham Community School is an inclusive activity, Mains said. As producer, Mains gets the clothing and the sets in order.

“We don’t turn anybody down,” she said. “There’s a lot more costumes, and this is the largest amount of kids we’ve ever had,” Mains said. “They help me with everything, including ‘techie’ stuff, and lighting. We need all the help we can get.”

Tickets for “A Christmas Carol” are $5 at the door for the play, and Ryan advises that people show up in plenty of time.

“Last year we sold out,” he said.

Durham Community School students Kathryn Roy, left, who will play Mrs. Cratchet, and Rachel Packard, who will be Mrs. Dilber, read from the script during rehearsal for “A Christmas Carol.” The Dickens classic will be staged at the school on Nov. 17-18.