The cast of “Overnight Christmas” is reminding Athens of the deeper meaning of the holidays.

A spoof off Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” this community-driven musical twists the classic story into a production that has more religious value than its counterpart. “Overnight Christmas,” a Cornerstone Productions show, follows the journey of Frank Green, a UPS worker, as he travels the world to find the true meaning of Christmas and God.

“All of the sudden this magical thing takes place,” said Eric Frazier, an actor in the musical. “He doesn’t know what he believes, and as he goes to different countries, he sees that no matter where you are in the world, people can have the same beliefs in God.”

For Heather Arnold, a dancer, choreographer and actress in the musical, the message of Christmas and having faith in God needs to be spread throughout the community — and through the musical, it can be.

“A lot of people, especially this time of year, forget why there is Christmas,” she said. “We want them to leave the show with a better understanding of who God is and that they aren’t alone.”

Although the musical has a very religious undertone, it also has a cheerful, family-fun energy,

“There are some big dance numbers,” Arnold said. “It’s very upbeat and entertaining, and you also learn something when you watch it.”

However, the cast isn’t only building stronger religious faith — it’s also building a stronger community.

“The community builds within the show,” Arnold said. “You have these lasting friendships, and you know that there are people there that care about you. You get to know new people and share your love of Christ and your love of performing with them.”

For the actors, it’s just a big family.

“We have become very close-knit,” Frazier said. “We’re so close that when someone gets a cold, everyone gets one with them.”

Frazier said that this spirited camaraderie among the actors has spread so much throughout the Athens community that Cornerstone Productions has extended the musical to two weekends, rather than just the one weekend it has done in the past.

“As word has gotten out, we’ve filled the seats,” he said. “We got to the point where every show was almost full. [We] wanted more people to see it.”

They hope to provide the audience with an entertaining night while also providing them with a profound meaning.

“We like people to come and to enjoy themselves while also getting a message across to them,” Frazier said.

As the date approaches, the cast can’t wait for the audience to see “Overnight Christmas.”

“It’s an adrenaline rush that comes over you towards the end,” Arnold said. “I’m excited that I get to share this with the audience.”

Most important for the cast is the personal story at the center of the show.

“Frank is searching for something,” Frazier said. “By the time you get to the end of the show, he’s found it — and what he finds, it’s up to you whether you decide to believe it with him or not.”

“OVERNIGHT CHRISTMAS”

Where: Morton Theatre

When: Dec. 2-3 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 3-4 at 2:30 p.m., Dec. 8-10 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 10-11 at 2:30 p.m.

Price: $10 (adv.), $8 (adv. for children under 12, college students and seniors 60+), $15 (door), $10 (door for children under 12, college students, and seniors 60+)