In December, “Class Act” presented two short length plays on the stage of the Denair Golden Gaslight Theatre.  “Doc’s Holiday” by Pat Cook, and “Tis’ the Season” by Cohagen and Hicks which tickled your funny bone and left you wondering what on earth would happen next!

DOC’S HOLIDAY

Doc’s house is a quirky place.  But then again, Doc is a quirky person.  Doc is a retired judge who takes great joy from life, and makes sure to share his zeal with all who cross his threshold… and many zany and needy people do.

Unfortunately, Doc’s grown daughter does not share his particular brand of eccentric enthusiasm, and chooses Christmastime, of course, to present an ultimatum to her father about his choices.

In the spirit of those old-fashioned, heartwarming comedies of Frank Capra or George Kaufman (It’s a Wonderful Life, Arsenic and Old Lace, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, You Can’t Take it With You), this delightful Christmas tale shows how things can work out if we all just pull together and choose to enjoy the ride!

CAST:  Aaron Loving, Marcus Garcia, Mallory Iltis, Lyndzie Spycher, Tim Daugherty, Kyle Horjus, Nicole Dabulewicz, Ashley Gomez, Meredith Andre, Sean Hallam

‘TIS THE SEASON

Not too many years ago, the author’s hometown church had their presentation of the “Living Scenes of Christmas” (much like the living nativity presented for many years by Monte Vista Chapel, here in Turlock).  Apparently, on this particular year, things went a bit awry.  Because of unusually harsh temperatures, the local chapter of the ASPCA was picketing the Nativity, protesting the treatment of the donkey, sheep and cows.  Then one of the cattle made a break for it.  They found her on the 17^th fairway of a local golf course, grazing contentedly.  When the police arrived… well, you get the picture.

That incident became the basis for this wonderful play.  Throw in a few fun characters and a plot twist or two, and you have “’Tis the Season”, a comedy in three scenes.  As the characters discover, we ought to approach Christmas without all the extra “stuff”, but just the way we are… people, in need of some hope.

CAST:  Marcus Garcia, Ariana Behlen, Ryan Reynolds, Alex Holman, Andre Navarro, Nicole Dabulewicz, Cara Balswick, Hannah Greenbarg, Amiee Fox, Sarah Bettencourt, Luke Kiss, Mallory Iltis, Derek Spycher, Elijah Davis, Greta Gonzalez, Leon Fox, Sherri Fox, David Fox, Daniel Fox.

Audiences enjoyed this double helping of down-home hilarity.  Like the Christmas season, the two plays not only brough joy, but also a gentle reminder of God’s grace, and His sense of humor!