Crest Area Theatre presents Variety Show

Crest Area Theatre brings chaos, mayhem and a good king searching for the meaning of Christmas to the stage in two one-act plays this weekend.

Lynne Schlaht is the director of “The Living Nativity” about a group of well-meaning parishioners who decide to create a living nativity for their community. The group must plead their case before the judge following their arrest for a variety of charges including arson, animal cruelty and property damage.

“I wanted to do a one-act because I haven’t directed in a long time,” said Schlaht.

Schlaht has a long history of directing dating back to the ‘70s, but had to take a break from theater for a while. Schlaht said she felt like Christmas would be a good time for a one-act and told Julia Weisshaar-Mullin if she would do one, Schlaht would as well.

Weisshaar-Mullin directs “Wenceslas,” a one-act play written by Lindsey Price, based on the popular Christmas carol “Good King Wenceslas.”

“Lynne has chosen a show that was very, very funny,” Weisshaar-Mullin said. “I wanted to choose something that was a little more presentational. Mine is still entertaining, but it’s quite a contrast in style.”

Wenceslas tells the story of Bohemian King Wenceslas who can’t figure out why he’s depressed as he observes the rush of activity as his wife prepares for a large Christmas celebration. When Wenceslas sees a peasant struggling to collect wood for his fire, he feels sorry for him, and learns that the true meaning of Christmas can be found in helping others.

In addition to the one-act plays, the variety show will also include cowboy poetry from the “Chesterfield King” and musical entertainment by Sherri Boschee, Rod Tostenson and the Wernli family.

Showtime is at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the SWCC Performing Arts Center in the YMCA. Doors open at approximately 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $8 and available at the door, or bring a non-perishable food item for the food pantry to get $1 off per ticket.