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Humbugs, step aside. Tiny Tim has come to town, and he's checking his Scrooge list to see who has been naughty or nice.

Alright, so he doesn't have a naughty or nice list, but Liam Clancy of Rehoboth, who plays Tiny Tim in Trinity Repretory Company's "A Christmas Carol," has what it takes to be the jolly youngest son of the Cratchit family.

At 9 years old, Clancy returns this year for even more performances than last. He will be in 26 shows, up two from last year. The rest of the performances will have Benjamin Thornton as Tiny Tim, who is new to the cast.

The reason for the split is there are two children casts, referred to as the Red and the Green. Last year the cast numbers were much larger, with four children casts and two adults casts. This year there is only one adult cast, meaning more consistency for the audience.

In addition to three new cast members, scenes have changed and actors have moved into different roles in this season's "Carol." Timothy Crowe returns for the 10th time as Ebenezer Scrooge, and two of last year's Scrooges remain in the show: Joe Wilson Jr. is Jacob Marley and Mauro Hantman plays Bob Cratchit. "Last year there were a lot of flying objects. There was a flying bed, ghosts, and Marley," Clancy said. "This year there is no flying. It's still pretty cool, though."

Clancy added that there was more technology last year, but that won't take away from the show.

Surprisingly, Clancy said things tend to remain pretty calm behind stage. "It's fun. They're having fun. Some people get a little crazy, like the newer members," he said.

Clancy remained calm in the face of adversity during last year's production of "A Christmas Carol."

"During the school scene I twisted my ankle. I finished my part and then I just walked off the stage. I walked off into the home," he said, explaining that the "home" is a changing area backstage with couches to relax on.

Sitting on Scrooge's shoulder during one of the finales also turned out to be painful: Clancy sat on Scrooge's corsage pin. He said his voice got a lot louder, but he still delivered his line.

Sometimes Clancy gets to watch the production from offstage. While waiting for the first scene where the Cratchit family comes in, Clancy likes watching the Ghost of Christmas Present sit on a table, laughing at people. His favorite scene, however, and one of the many surprises this year, has to do with a wall in Scrooge's house and some glowing ghosts.

As much as Clancy likes watching, he doesn't have that much time to do so. He has six costume changes between singing in seven songs, one of which is a solo. He also tends to get to Trinity Rep an hour early, even though he doesn't have to be there until 45 minutes before curtain call.

Clancy's been rehearsing for just over a month for his latest role as Tiny Tim. He auditioned in October and claims it was easy. Trinity Rep auditions are a general tryout and the producers and directors assign roles afterwards.

There are times, however, that Clancy doesn't find the rehearsals all that fun. "Waiting around isn't that bad because you can watch what's going on. It's when they do the same (scene) over and over again that it's boring," he said.

Clancy does more than just act; he's also on a YMCA swim team. He juggles practice, swim meets, rehearsals, and shows amid homework and school. Not a bad feat for a pre-teen.

He thinks Trinity Rep is more important than swimming, and has skipped out on the sport in order to deliver one of the most famous lines of all: "God bless us everyone!"

"A Christmas Carol" runs this Friday, Nov. 20 through Dec. 27 at the Trinity Repertory Theatre, 201 Washington St., Providence. Tickets are $40 to $65 for adults, and $10 children ages 2-14. Opening night is Pay What You Can. (www.trinityrep.com or 401-351-4242.)

Dickens, you say?

While Trinity Repertory Company's annual production of "A Christmas Carol" has become a holiday tradition for hundreds of families, it is not the only re-creation of the Dickens classic on area stages. Here are two more to mark on your calender:

Attleboro Community Theatre will present "A Christmas Carol" weekends Dec. 4-20 at the Masonic Lodge, 71 North Main St., Attleboro. The show will feature a cast of 30 and be directed by Valerie Coogan, assisted by Alex Aponte, with musical direction by Beverly Darling. On the Web: www.attleborocommunitytheatre.org.

The Mansfield Music & Arts Society will present Gary Poholek's one-man interpretation of "Carol" Dec. 10-12 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre, 377 North Main St., Mansfield (across from the T station). Poholek plays the Scrooge plus the 25 other characters in the play. Tickets are $20 general, $19 members and seniors, $18 students. Call 508-339-2822 or visit www.mmas.org.