Craig Wallace plays Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by Justine “Icy” Moral as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Ford’s Theatre’s production of 'A Christmas Carol,' directed by José Carrasquillo, is on stage through December 31. Photo by Scott Suchman

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If theaters are haunted, as popular lore has it, Ford’s Theatre provides more than a few ghosts in its splendid adaptation by Michael Wilson of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Of course, the site of the 1865 assassination of President Lincoln already has the chill of history, but apparitions in this production include the ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge’s business partner, Jacob Marley, as well as the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

Well known are the holiday adventures of Scrooge with ghosts and spirits, his avaricious ways and his moral transformation to the man who, in the words of Dickens, “knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.”

What is perhaps the greatest gift about Ford’s Theatre’s current production, directed superbly by José Carrasquillo, is the addition of scenes, situations and dialogue in moments when the storytelling goes “off script” from the original 1843 novella.

One instance is when, as the bell tolls 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Scrooge — played beautifully with pathos and even humor by Craig Wallace — hears a ghostly moan and then leaves his office to collect debts from those in penury. This is just after his clerk, Bob Cratchit (played by Jonathan Atkinson), thinks he sees Marley’s ghost beside Scrooge — although Scrooge and the audience only see Marley’s ghost (a frighteningly appareled Stephen F. Schmidt) that evening in Scrooge’s bedroom.

Another unexpected delight is a floating Justine “Icy” Moral as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Dressed in a ballerina outfit with a Baroque collar, the same actress also plays the roles of the Doll Vendor and the macabre Ghost of Christmas Future with wonderful skill.

In addition, a new character has been added to the plot. A brilliant inventor (Joe Mallon, at once earnest and comic), who is in debt to Scrooge, has invented a steam-powered clock and a steam-propelled car. Both inventions are prominent in the production, giving the set a fitting “steampunk” look and augmenting the fabulous Victorian costume designs of Alejo Vietti.

At the end of the story, a remorseful Scrooge, “not the man I was,” invites all — his nephew and niece, the Cratchit family, two charity collectors, and even the destitute indebted to him — to his home for Christmas Day afternoon repast. This touching change from the original story adds a community feel to the proceedings as characters from different social and economic strata break bread together.

These many welcome additions add new life to the tale and surprises for an audience that likely knows the story inside and out. At the same time, the show upholds the Dickens narrative, as when Scrooge is presented with the children who represent Ignorance and Want, social dangers against which Scrooge is advised to be vigilant.

Holiday musical numbers

While this festive-spooky ghost story is called A Christmas Carol, English carols in their more traditional sense are performed as the multi-talented cast members sing “Greensleeves,” “Here We Come A-Wassailing,” “I Saw Three Ships,” “Deck the Halls” and “The Holly and the Ivy.”

The show contains literary references as well: We are reminded that the boy Scrooge’s favorite tale was Ali Baba, and there is a reference to Gulliver and the Lilliputians.

Yet despite these nostalgic nods to childhood literature, this is not a production recommended for young children, due to the effective, spooky scenic design by Lee Savage, the scary depictions of ghosts and an immense, glowing-red tombstone.

The production runs through December 31, when Ford’s Theatre will begin to prepare for its staging of the patriotic musical 1776, which opens in March in honor of our country’s 250th anniversary.

Matinee discounts are available on weekdays for people ages 60 and older. For tickets, see fords.org or call the box office at (888) 616-0270.