Kathleen McGeever thinks that there is a reason that "Bah, humbug," has become an iconic part of our language.

"I think we all have a bit of Scrooge in us — that lost feeling of Christmas spirit," said McGeever, the chair of theater at NAU. "But 'A Christmas Carol' reminds us that we're human and that we can change."

The Northern Arizona University Department of Theatre will present the classic Charles Dickens tale "A Christmas Carol," adapted by Romulus Linney, at the Clifford E. White Theatre beginning Friday and running through Dec. 6.

"A Christmas Carol" follows Ebenezer Scrooge as he transforms from a stingy old man to a giving, caring human being.

McGeever will be directing a cast of 36 actors, including NAU Theatre students as well as seven children ranging from ages 8 to 12 in the production. Theatre performance major Brad Bultman will play Scrooge. Community member Cort Jackson will play Tiny Tim.

A special bonus for "A Christmas Carol" will include an appearance by Santa Claus at 1:15 p.m. at the Dec. 5 and 6 matinees.

"A Christmas Carol" will be staged Nov. 20, 21, Dec. 2, 3, 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 21, 22, Dec. 5 and 6 at 2 p.m. in the Clifford E. White Theatre. Tickets are $7 for students, $11 for staff, seniors and faculty, and $12 for general public. Tickets will be $2 more at the door. On the Nov. 21 and Dec. 5 matinee performances, bring an unwrapped toy to the "Toys for Tots" campaign and pay only $2. For tickets, call 523-5661.

Kachina Neighborhood Watch meeting Thursday

Sheriff Bill Pribil and District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan are hosting the monthly Neighborhood Watch meeting on Thursday for the Kachina Village and Mountainaire communities.

The meeting will be 6 to 8 p.m. in the community room of the Highlands Fire Department, located at 568 Kona Trail in Kachina Village.

Representatives of the Coconino County Sheriff's Office and Coconino County will be available to answer questions. Deputies and other staff will talk about recent occurrences in the Kachina Village and Mountainaire neighborhoods and give a presentation on home and personal security.

The community deputy assigned to the area and the community programs planner will conduct an open discussion regarding the direction community members would like to see this Neighborhood Watch program take.

Neighborhood Watch is designed to prevent and deter criminal activity, attend to home and personal security, address the safety of children and the elderly, and alleviate fear and isolation. Residents learn how to observe and report suspicious activity and reduce the risk of becoming a crime victim.

For more information about the Neighborhood Watch program and the meeting schedule, call the Coconino County Sheriff's Office at 226-5089.

Send Around the Town news to Abbie Gripman at agripman@azdailysun.com, or call her at 556-2241.