The Modesto High School theater department will stage "Marley's Ghost," a retelling of the story of Jacob Marley and Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."

"Marley's Ghost" tells the back story of how Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge's partner, comes to visit the old miser on Christmas Eve.

Michael Murry, who is directing the Modesto High production, said "Marley's Ghost" is to "A Christmas Carol" as "Wicked" is to "The Wizard of Oz." The play, written by Jeff Goode in 2006, provides a different take on such characters as Scrooge, Marley, Bob Cratchit and even the spirits who visit Scrooge on the night before Christmas.

Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4-5 and 11-12 in the school auditorium, First and H streets. Tickets are $7 and available at the door.