ILWACO A local authors holiday memories will come to life onstage next month as the Peninsula Players present A Christmas Trilogy: Three Holiday One-Acts at the River City Playhouse.

Written by Jan Bono, the three life-inspired scripts Giving In, The Ultimatum, and Walnut Garland and Airplane Parts will be presented through the interpretations of three directors.

Giving In, directed by Rob Lindberg, tells the story of a little girl who visits Santa at the mall and asks him to bring her a kitten for Christmas, despite the fact that her mother feels she isnt ready for the responsibilities of a pet. 

Lindberg describes Giving In as a heartwarming and somewhat comedic story. A former high school drama teacher, he has been involved in well over 100 productions, including Gods Favorite, Mame, Annie Get Your Gun and Oklahoma!

Laurie Carter is directing The Ultimatum, the story of a 16-year-old girl who wants a car for Christmas or nothing at all.

Its very ordinary, it could be anybodys family the kids, the daughter who wants a car for Christmas and nothing else, her attitude, the wise-cracking grandma, says Carter. Its just very real, its an every man story.

Having directed numerous plays, including Steel Magnolias and Rebecca, this is Carters first experience directing a one-act.

Walnut Garland and Airplane Parts, directed by Diane DeSeranno, tells the story of some adult siblings who gather for the first Christmas Eve following the death of their mother. And while reminiscing of years past, the family receives a visit from their mothers attorney, bearing two wrapped gifts.

   No stranger to directing one-acts, DeSeranno says her cast has made rehearsals for this very enjoyable. The cast I have this time, they are made for these parts; theyre putting their own artistic flair in them.

Bono says the combination of stories makes for a comedic production that she would rate as PG-13, as there is what she calls a Santa spoiler.

All three plays are performed on the same set, festively designed by Bono, Rick Newton and Bill Nickila, Sr. Newton, the productions technical and lighting wizard, has also created a wintry atmosphere rear screen projection system to simulate falling snow. 

The three stories are based on stories from my own life, they are feel good, warm and fuzzy to put you in the spirit and celebrate the season, Bono describes. Its a little tongue in cheek in places, and people will recognize their own families in the stories. What family hasnt had the child that asks for a kitten? Or a kid who wants a car at 16?

Bono wrote her first play,  Queen of Hearts:  A Mississippi River Boat Romance, back in 2008. She also wrote Motorcycle Mama, Dissention Among the Ranks, and Killer Clam Tide, which was performed at the Peninsula Players One-Act Festival in August.

Show times are Dec. 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 7 p.m., and Dec. 4 and 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $10 each at Okies Thriftway in Ocean Park, Stormin Normans in Long Beach, The Imperial Schooner in Ilwaco, and at the door if they arent sold out. Performances will be at the River City Playhouse, 127 Lake Street SE in Ilwaco. Copies of Its Christmas! a book by Bono that features the three plays scripts and 48 holiday stories will be for sale at intermission.

 

CAST:

Giving In 

Suzanne Rita Smith

Pauline Joyce Jones

Billie Acacia Sinclair 

Santas Humane Society messenger Bill Nickila

 

The Ultimatum 

Abigail Lynn Hadley 

Henry Glen Adams 

Samantha Elizabeth Rhoades 

Jessica Azalie Bahrt 

William Isiah Beutler 

Grandma Penny Bierly 

Voice of Santa Bill Nickila

 

Walnut Garland and Airplane Parts

Julia Tracy Roach 

Laurie Christine Beutler 

Brian Johnny Phillips 

Jack Dennis DeSeranno 

Karen Elizabeth Rhoads

Rick Jim Tweedie