A single actor will play over 40 roles in a production of the Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol,” beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Arts on Main in Gloucester.

Actor John Hardy, who is known for his one-man play “Rattlesnake” in which he plays 16 characters, said, “I wanted to retain, as much as possible, the essence of the book in its original form.”

Throughout the play, Hardy never leaves the stage and never changes costume. Instead, his characters “are defined by variations in accents and speech patterns as well as physical traits.” The show is appropriate for ages 10 and up.

Tickets for adults are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Children’s tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets may be purchased by calling 804-824-9464, e-mailing reservations@gloucesterarts.org or visiting www.gloucesterarts.org. ...