Stratford Players want to make you smile

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 season with a hearty laugh,” said Stratford Artistic Director Marsha Kennedy. “Comedy brings people together. These days it seems so important that we set aside differences and remind ourselves of our essential goodness. Live theater offers a fine opportunity for us to come together in a warm, intimate space and create a happy community.”

The first act of “Yule Cheer!” is comprised of a variety of humorous and poignant soliloquies and skits. It includes works by Bill Bryson, Robert Fulgham and other popular authors. The second act is given over to the Hill premiere of “Last Panto in Little Grimley” by David Tristram. This delightful British farce reveals what actually takes place behind the scenes as a community theater wrestles with its Christmas play. Hold on to your hats.

Kennedy directs the production. It stars Stratford veterans Chic Fojtik, Barbara Rayliss, Harriet Briant, Dick English and Christopher Morse. Stratford Players welcome the new talents of Kit Burch and Nathalie Portman.

“Yule Cheer!” will have just three performances: 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27; 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2; and 2 p.m. Sunday Dec. 4, all at Town Hall.

Tickets are $20 and may be purchased in advance or at the door. For reservations and more information, visit www.stratfordplayers.org.

The troupe’s motto is also its heartfelt invitation: “Theatre is good. Come play with us.”