In years past, staged productions of NewArts’ lively take on A Christmas Carol were certainly a feast for the senses, with the production’s elaborate set pieces, detailed costumes, Victorian choreography, evocative music, and wondrous mix of seasoned performers and young newcomers to the world of theater.

But unless you were in the first few rows, it was easy to miss the many nuances its cast members displayed in facial expressions and dialog.

Thanks to masterful work by its more limited production team — downsized temporarily for the COVID era — the local nonprofit’s recent virtual take on the Dickens holiday classic was equally entertaining and uniquely engaging.

Without sets, costumes, lighting, etc, either or both versions of this year’s pre-taped and cleverly edited Christmas Carol offered every viewer not just a front row seat, but a perspective that can only come when one is standing inches away from the actors for the duration of their performance. In the virtual version, viewers did not simply get to see the actors, it was more like they got to know the actors.

The David Thompson adaptation of the universally known tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, a cluster of spirits, and a spirited cast of delightful characters was purposefully produced for each of the dual casts using a Zoom-style conference platform, and captured digitally so it could be strategically stitched to select video clips of the 2017 live production that debuted at Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel.

A Christmas Carol was again directed and produced by Michael Unger, who directed McCarter Theatre’s production in Princeton, N.J., for 16 years before introducing it to the Newtown area. Dr Michael Baroody was the executive producer.

Unger explained that it also provided opportunities for re-takes and fixes in the event one or more of the virtual video or audio components suddenly glitched out.

And it allowed for the seamless integration of music, singing, and sound effects with visuals that included 19th Century London scenic backdrops and the infamous Jacob Marley door knocker that helped bridge the gap between a live theater experience versus one that could be viewed (and enjoyed) on a screen as small as a digital phone or as large as a home theater projection.

“We spent about 100 hours on the editing,” Unger confided the day before the “Mistletoe Cast” debut on December 23. That version and a second featuring a mix of some of the same actors and “Holly Cast” members were available on the NewArts website until December 27.

An opportunity for viewers to make a donation to the cause was provided, along with a huge online auction that offered something for any bidder and most any budget.

This year’s production was presented to honor the memory of Mary Socci. The 14-year-old, a NewArts bright star, died in November after a two-year battle with brain cancer.

The opening sequence with its clanging bells faded to a screen filled with 25 wonderful sounding young carolers and close-ups of Graeme Malcolm’s unforgettable Scrooge grumbling and humbugging with Bob Cratchit (Price Waldman), nephew Fred (Jimmy Ludwig) and his wife Lily (Marina Kolitsas and Rebecca Spalvieri portrayed the newlywed in their respective casts) — an immediate hint that this production would be very special indeed.

The professionals who contributed greatly to this year’s Christmas Carol also included John Ahlin (Mr Fezziwig/Old Joe/Mr Stocks), Michele Tauber (Mrs Fezziwig/Laundress/Mrs Stocks), Janet Metz (Mrs Cratchit/Mrs Bonds), Annie O’Sullivan (Mrs Dilber), and Billy Finn (Old Marley/Mr Bonds).

Depending on the night, they were joined by “Mistletoe Cast” members Alaina Inzero, Maggie Murphy, Gracelyn Mecca, Ethan Kravec, Matiya Kouassi, Sophia Dossantos, Alaina Inzero, Ava Baroody, Celia Plaue, George Mecca, and Benjamin Wismar-Berger, along with Marina Kolitsas.

The “Holly Cast” featured Phoebe Swedrock, Camryn Story, Violet Hughes, Bennett Quinn, Hayden Hughes, Riley Quinn, Sara Heinen, Meghan Bailey, Alex Gilson, Finn Swedrock, and Spalvieri.

Jimmy Hunter, Mark Sadowski, Sabrina Spraggins, and Marina’s sister Nicole Kolitsas were cast in both versions.

Proceeds from the benefit performance will support future NewArts productions.

NewArts is the theatrical division of The 12.14 Foundation, and normally collaborates with teams of nearly 20 theater professionals, including Broadway-level directors, performers, choreographers, music directors, designers, producers, and technicians, to guide local children in artistic endeavors celebrating collaboration, creativity and community.

For additional information or to make a donation, visit newarts.org.