The familiar story of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" will take a new twist on stage at SFSU over the next few weeks, in the form of traditional Japanese performing arts.

The production of "Kurisumasu Karoru," adapted and directed by Theater Arts professor Yukihiro Goto previewed Thursday night, and opens today for a two-weekend run in the Little Theater in the Creative Arts building.

Set in early 20th Century Japan, "Kurisumasu Karoru" depicts Ebenezer Scrooge and Bob Cratchit as kimono-wearing expatriates, while the ghosts of Christmas are performed with Japanese techniques of kabuki and butoh.

But the main purpose of the adaptation is not telling Dickens' tale, Goto said.

"What the designers, cast and I have attempted to do is to explore cultural and theatrical possibilities by displacing the familiar world of Scrooge," he said.

Set in northern Japan, this production of "Kurisumasu Karoru" is based on the Theater of Yugen's "Noh Christmas Carol." The San Francisco-based theater company is the only one in the U.S. that works primarily from the 700-year-old Japanese forms of theater Noh and Kyogen. Goto is active with the theater group.

"Kurisumasu Karoru" runs through Dec. 8, with 8 p.m. performances on Nov. 22-23 and Dec. 5-7. Matinee performances on Nov. 24 and Dec. 7-8 are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 general admission and $8 for students and seniors, and are available an hour before each show or by calling (415) 338-2467