“A Christmas Carol” opens its run 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 inside Gyder Theater at Theater Works, 10580 N. 83rd Drive, Peoria. The show runs through Sunday, Dec. 22. “A Christmas Carol” is arguably the most popular piece of fiction that Charles Dickens ever wrote, and was published in 1843. The holiday classic recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. After their visits, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man. “The book is as popular today as it was over 150 years ago. Charles Dickens, through the voice of Scrooge, continues to urge us to honor Christmas in our hearts and try to keep it all the year round,” charlesdickensinfo.com states. “Dickens was involved in charities and social issues throughout his entire life. At the time that he wrote ‘A Christmas Carol’ he was very concerned with impoverished children who turned to crime and delinquency in order to survive.” Tickets $38-18. Call 623-815-7930.