It’s been a half-century since Guthrie Theater staffer Sheila Livingston suggested the company stage an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novella “A Christmas Carol,” arguing that something with a holiday flavor may expand the Guthrie’s audience beyond the confines of conventional theatergoers. Livingston proved right and, as she said in an essay she wrote last decade, “it became obvious that it warmed the hearts and the coffers.” The Guthrie had introduced the concept of the cash cow to American regional theater, complementing the classics and newer works with one tried-and-true moneymaker (and heartwarmer) each year. On Friday night, the 50th edition of the Guthrie’s “A Christmas Carol” opened, and it’s the best one I’ve experienced since pre-pandemic. The company moved to a new adaptation by Lavina Jadhwani and design by Matt Saunders in 2021, so the text and visuals will be very much as regulars remember them. But the performances make it stand apart from this decade’s previous offerings. Director Addie Gorlin-Han has clearly convinced her cast to pour all of the energy and enthusiasm it can muster into this take on Dickens’ off-told tale. It maintains a lively pace in movement, dialogue and narration over its 110-minute run time. And every character, no matter how briefly seen, is well-conceived and convincingly presented, sparking an audience member’s interest no matter which direction they look. When Barbara Field’s first adaptation debuted at the Guthrie in 1975, she employed Dickens as narrator, wisely recognizing that it’s not just the story of the old miser Ebenezer Scrooge’s redemption that carried the novella, but the author’s brilliantly colorful descriptors. Jadhwani has improved upon the idea by having the entire 32-member cast serve as something of a Greek chorus, providing a kind of tag-team narration when they aren’t bursting into English carols faithful to the play’s 1843 setting or twirling about gracefully to Regina Peluso’s waltz- and minuet-based choreography. That helps this “Carol” feel like a true ensemble piece, capturing the spirit of not only the novella, but of Tyrone Guthrie’s original vision for a repertory company of actors that thrives on collaboration and teamwork. Whereas some adaptations place Scrooge firmly at the center of your focus, this one emphasizes the rewards of being part of a community, ranging from warm celebrations full of dancing, food and games to something as simple as a nod and smile to a stranger on the street. That’s to take nothing away from this year’s new Scrooge, David Beach (making his Guthrie debut). He gives us a miser who’s not as dark, brooding and sociopathic as some we’ve experienced, instead barking back at others with the caustic sarcasm of a grade school bully. And Beach leans into the idea that Scrooge really does want to be happy, something that comes through in his reactions to the enjoyable events of his youth and the parties of the present that he crashes invisibly. But it’s very much an ensemble show, one that features a fine mix of Guthrie veterans and relative newcomers to the big blue building by the river who have done excellent work on smaller stages around town. Whereas there have been years when this tradition suffered from a perfunctory feel, this group seems to be excitedly embracing the honor of being in cast number 50. Rob Hubbard can be reached at [email protected]. ‘A Christmas Carol’ When: Through Dec. 29 Where: Guthrie Theater, 818 Second St. S., Minneapolis Tickets: $18-$94, available at 612-377-2224 or guthrietheater.org Capsule: An enthusiastic ensemble makes it a merry “Carol.” Related Articles Theater | Review: Children’s Theatre makes ‘Grinch’ a transformative tale Theater | Play “Reunion (After the End of the World)” presents a timely, apocalyptic story Theater | Review: ‘All the Devils Are Here’ an insightful examination of evil Theater | Review: Caroline Shaw and Sō Percussion create eclectic, alluring music mix at Walker Art Center Theater | One artist offers his impressions of another in Penumbra’s gripping ‘Basquiat’