On Theater:

Among cinephiles, there may be much discussion about who best portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge on the screen. Purists may prefer Alistair Sim, while others might opt for George C. Scott, Patrick Stewart or even Henry Winkler.

For local theatergoers, however, there is no controversy. The mantle for both excellence and longevity belongs on the head of South Coast Repertory’s Hal Landon Jr. — where it now has rested for 30 years.

Landon’s Scrooge in SCR’s annual rendition of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” — adapted by former company member Jerry Patch in 1980 for what initially was intended as a one-shot production — has reached legendary status. And John-David Keller, who has directed all 30 shows, continues both to stage the celebratory offering as well as enacting a major supporting role.

This year’s “Carol” offers a few surprises.

The black-robed Spirit of Christmas Yet-to-Come doesn’t pop out of Scrooge’s bed anymore, but appears standing beside him instead.

And the far-off carolers on ships and hills are missing. But by and large, this is the same “Christmas Carol” playgoers and their families have enjoyed for three decades.

At its center is Landon’s embittered miser, bah-humbugging his way through a chilly Christmas Eve until jolted out of his slumber by a chain-clanking ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley (Tom Shelton).

He’s followed by the spirits of Christmas past (Richard Doyle), present (Timothy Landfield) and future (Shelton again), who scare the penny-pinching nature out of him and point him toward warmth and humanity.

Along the way, there are some notable supporting performances, primarily Keller’s jolly Fezziwig and Karen Hensel as his merry spouse.

Daniel Blinkoff returns as a heavy-hearted but outwardly cheery Bob Cratchit, while William Francis McGuire joins the cast as Scrooge’s happily wed nephew Fred.

Fine renditions dot the expository ranks, including Christian Barillas’ teen-aged Scrooge and Jaycob Hunter as his young pal Marley.

Jennifer Chu is appealing as Ebenezer’s teen sweetheart, Belle, while Jennifer Parsons returns for her sixth outing as a contentious Mrs. Cratchit.

The show’s scenic design (by Thomas Buderwitz), costumes (Dwight Richard Odle) and lighting (Tom and Donna Ruzika) all function splendidly, as usual, but special mention must be accorded Drew Dalzell’s commanding sound effects, guaranteed to keep young audiences awake.

“A Christmas Carol” is as genuine a holiday tradition as any in local theater, and Landon simply plays the Dickens out of his character. The Christmas season now is officially here.

If You Go

What: “A Christmas Carol”

Where: South Coast Repertory Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, noon and 4 p.m. Sundays until Dec. 26

Cost: $34 to $59

Call: (714) 708-5555

Expect great laughs from this inspection

Meanwhile, a few miles to the south, Costa Mesa’s Vanguard University is offering a decidedly different take on the Dickens classic — Daniel Sullivan’s farcical romp “Inspecting Carol.”

Here, a small-town theater group is preparing its annual rendition of “A Christmas Carol” and discovers its own recession — an empty treasury. However, the National Endowment for the Arts is sending an inspector to audit the company’s “Carol,” and more funds may result.

What ensues is one disaster piled atop another as the players recruit an enthusiastic neophyte into their show, thinking he’s the inspector.

It’s sort of a holiday version of Jack Sharkey’s “Play On.”

Director Marianne Savell pulls out all the comical stops, and her clever cast reaps the laughter in this satirical show.

Best of the bunch is Kelsi Roberts as the overtaxed director Zorah, who continually blames her temperament on her Lithuanian heritage.

Jon Black overplays egregiously as the newcomer, while David Camarena struts and frets as the loose-cannon headliner who played Scrooge in Spanish the preceding year. Sheila O’Hara impresses as the jittery company manager.

Royen Kent and Haley Gilliland are perfectly paired as the Cratchits (even though he has a crush on the director). Amanda Haddox is appealing as the industrious stage manager, and Carlos Fernandez is a hoot as all three spirits, craving more lines but unable to remember the ones he has.

For audiences who’ve had their fill of the original, “Inspecting Carol” is an ideal antidote, provided you’re in the mood for a good holiday laugh.

If You Go

What: “Inspecting Carol”

Where: Vanguard University, 55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

When: Closing performances at 8 tonight 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday

Cost: $12 to $14

Call: (714) 668-6145