Almost everything you have wanted to laugh at about Christmas

For those who have consumed, watched, read or done anything else about Christmas, will see most of it again in Crest Area Theatre’s production “Every Christmas Story Ever Told.”

And they should get laughs out of it too.

The performance is 7 p.m., Friday, Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Southwestern Community College Performing Arts Center. Tickets are sold at the door.

The show is designed and directed by Ashley J. Page. She is a relative newcomer to Creston, but not a newcomer to theatre. Ashley served as the assistant director and stage manager of Crest Area Theatre’s summer production “The Addams Family.” She has master’s degrees in theatre and film from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, and is a veteran actress/director/designer of dozens of community and professional theatre productions.

“Every Christmas Story Ever Told” was written by Michael Carleton, James Fitzgerald and John K. Alvarez.

Instead of performing Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday classic for the umpteenth time, the three actors decide to try to perform every Christmas story ever told plus Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to topical pop-culture, (and Christmas carols too...) It’s a hilarious, madcap romp through everything Christmas. Portions of the show include audience involvement.

Cast includes Justin Kendrick who is a newcomer to Crest Area Theatre. His first production was “Christmas Shorts” last year so that he could be involved in a fun, family activity with son Allen and daughter Amelia. Since then he’s been onstage with the Afton Actors Anonymous and worked the spotlight for “Addams Family”.

Jacob Rutz was a regular in theatre and speech at Creston High School and appeared onstage in many productions at Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska. He has become a regular onstage for Crest Area Theatre productions.

Bill Mullin has been involved with Crest Area Theatre for 30 years, lends his carpentry, design and technical skills to productions and occasionally appears onstage. He serves as the president of Crest Area Theatre

Comical skits of parody include, but are not limited to, “A Christmas Carol,” “The Grinch who Stole Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” Iceland, fruitcake, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, “Frosty the Snowman,” Charlie Brown and the list goes on.

A skit asks about the existence of Santa Claus, so young children, and maybe some adults, in attendance should be prepared.