In theater, musical theater especially, one is a “triple threat” if one can sing, dance and act with equal facility. Pine Cove resident Matthew Shaker does it all. He also plays piano, composes, orchestrates and is writing the book, music and lyrics for a new musical. He recently won the 2015 Desert Theater League Award…

The Stratford Players have been entertaining Idyllwild audiences for 12 years. On the Sunday following Thanksgiving, Stratford premieres its new holiday show, “Yule Cheer! An Idyllwild Christmas.” This production features a festive collection of new pieces together with tried-and-true favorites. The emphasis is on merriment. “We want to help our town start off this holiday…

Ron Singerton, a local resident, sets his well-researched novels in interesting historical periods — periods of systemic change and social upheaval. With “A Cherry Blossom in Winter” (Penmore Press LLC 2017), Singerton visits a time in history when two powers, one emerging and one declining, are at odds over influence in Asia. War looms as…