Tony Lentz is in training.

Since mid-November, Lentz, assistant professor of communication arts and sciences, has been exercising his vocal chords in preparation for his one-man rendition of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

"Practicing for the show is kind of like running a marathon," Lentz said. "I don't have to go through the whole piece every time, but just enough to get those vocal muscles working."

Lentz will continue with his 24th performance of the Dickens tale at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Pine Grove Mills Presbyterian Church, W. Pine Grove Road, and again at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Spring Creek Presbyterian Church, Mary and Mulberry Streets, in Lemont.

The Penn State tradition dates back to the mid-1960s when Lentz first heard the one-man performance given by Earl Wynn, one of his professors at the University of North Carolina.

"I was amazed at the ability of one man, standing in front of a group of people, to conjure up all sorts of images in my mind," Lentz said. "It reminded me of being a kid and listening to radio shows on my parents' bed. Those sorts of things have always fascinated my imagination."

Inspired by Wynn's performance, Lentz went on to adopt the one-man rendition as his own yearly gift to the community.

"This story is a really good reminder about what the holiday season is about; giving and helping one another," Lentz said.

However, bringing this Dickens classic to the community isn't as easy as simply reading the tale aloud. Lentz has had to use his speech communications knowledge to relate his multiple-characters to audiences.

"The key thing is that you have to let your audience know who's talking," Lentz said. "You have to support visually with what you're doing vocally."

For Scrooge's character, Lentz said he makes his voice gravelly and peers over his glasses, whereas with Scrooge's nephew, Lentz looks straight ahead, using a powerful voice.

Another important part of Lentz's presentation is the audience-performer relationship. Lentz said with lively audiences, his own performance is more energetic and enjoyable, but not every show runs that smoothly.

"There was this one rainy night where I couldn't get the audience to react or laugh at anything I said. I ended up leaving the show discouraged because I didn't feel as if anybody cared about the performance anymore," Lentz said.

Even Lentz's one cloudy performance had a silver lining.

"When I got into the parking lot, there was this elderly man, patiently waiting for me. He came up, shook my hand and said, 'I just wanted you to know that I've been coming to your show for years because I really love what you do. I just want to say thanks.' That moment forever made me realize how important my show was to others."

The man in the parking lot was Paul Harner, a resident who has maintained a friendship with Lentz through the years.

"I've known [Lentz] for many years, and I've always enjoyed his presentations," Harner said. "I'm already looking forward to this year's performance."

Harner's wife, Marcella Harner, said he has always been one of Lentz's biggest supporters.

"Paul tries to never miss this show. He's always felt that the Christmas season doesn't start until he hears it."