MONMOUTH — If the idea of turning the story of the Nativity into a comedy raises doubts, you would be pleasantly surprised at how a talented cast and crew of the Monmouth Community Players accomplishes this with wit, charm and intelligence.

“The Butterfingers Angel, Mary and Joseph, Herod the Nut, and the Slaughter of 12 Hit Carols in a Pear Tree” is the long-winded title of this play, written by William Gibson in 1974.

Remaining performances are Dec 10-12.

Colleen Mahan directs this production with respect for tradition and biblical authenticity. Nevertheless, she finds plenty of room for audiences and actors to have fun with the playful premise that imagines how Mary and Joseph might have dealt with their totally unexpected and extraordinary involvement in a holy birth.

The play puts a human face on Mary and Joseph as they deal with the remarkable events such as messages from angels.

It’s this humorous approach that allows it to deliver some imaginative dialogue and funny scenes without offense.

However, it is not a children’s Christmas show. It has some depictions of violence and some adult language.

Evan Arbour, a high school student, turns in a delightful performance as the angel who can’t get anything right. He gives the role a gentle, believable and totally likable touch from beginning to end.

Emily Trefethan plays Mary with just the right balance of humor and reverence. At first, she’s a young lady who declares she has no interest in marrying or having children. She wants no part of married life with an older Joseph, but the reality of the coming birth turns her reluctance to conviction and changes Joseph’s disbelief into unconditional support.

Duane Glover, a veteran actor and chairman of the MCP board of directors, plays Joseph. His portrayal is an appropriate mix of confusion over what he must believe and faith in his God.

Tom Crutcher delivers a powerhouse performance as The Man in the Gray Suit. This role introduces the concept of evil abroad in the land. Crutcher’s character also morphs into a sleazy courier and into the role of Herod the Nut.

Crutcher plays the mad king with maniacal glee and menace.

Several supporting characters are great fun. Kathi Asquith is a tree, but she wants to be free of her roots and become a dancer. She gives the role some fine comic twists.

Jim Lattin, David Handley and Andy Tolman bring the best laughs of the show as they chase around the stage as Mary’s loutish brothers and then later as the geographically challenged Three Kings. They have a hilarious sketch as they argue over route numbers on their map to Bethlehem.

Youngsters also get some good roles in “The Butterfingers Angel.” Logan Lattin is the under-sized donkey that provides little burden-bearing on the trip. Anna Bilodeau is a cute cow and Chris Dumont plays a sheep.

Other supporting roles are well handled by Gwen Fraser, Harmony Lattin and Casey Fraser.

“The Butterefingers Angel” is something very different for the holiday season that can easily serve to enhance all the other presentations of the Nativity at this time of year.

Remaining shows

WHAT: “The Butterfingers Angel”

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 10-11, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12

WHERE: Cumston Hall, Monmouth

TICKETS: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors. Call 933-2229.

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