RUMFORD — While no family is perfect, “A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas” by Pat Cook affirms that the family that thinks of each other first will survive the stresses of the season.

This Christmas comedy of how the holidays can bring out the best and the worst in people will take place at 49 Franklin’s Mystic Theater Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15. Show times are 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. for cash only pub menu and cash bar.

Hayden Stewart’s wife, Judith, and her sisters, Carla and Beth, are worried about their parents. “They argue all the time,” Judith says. When she mentions this to Hayden, he casually suggests maybe the women could spend some time with Jack and Arlene, their parents, and squelch any such arguments.

The next thing Hayden knows, Judith is planning a huge Christmas party with the whole family. “And it was all Hayden’s idea!” she boasts. This doesn’t set well with his brothers-in-law, who have a hard time getting along with Jack.

However, as time gets short and the party draws near, suddenly everyone is on their best behavior. The husbands, the wives, even the kids. Everybody is being good … too good. Is it possible to be too good?

This party has more intrigue behind it than a whole host of spy novels by the time Hayden’s parents, Tom and Marjorie, join them. All the traditional Christmas standbys are utilized as the family tries to throw “A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas.”

This playful holiday production will feature local actors Eric Schmersal as Hayden Stewart, Jen Foster as his wife Judith, along with Tylene Scott, Chuck Bellegarde, Saramarie Gervais, Stephen Penney, Lily True, Taylor Merrill, Ivy Houghton, Tammy Schmersal Burgess, Scot Grassette, Melissa Fallon, Geri Viger and Greg Adley.

Director Cindy Grassette says, “Audiences will recognize and appreciate how relatable the story is. We all have characters in our families and this play highlights them.”

Tickets are $15 for general seating and can be purchased from All That Jazz, Bartash’s and online at www.49franklin.com.

Cast members of “A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas” are, from left, front row, Ivy Houghton, Tammy Schmersal Burgess and Taylor Merrill; middle row, Greg Adley, Geri Viger, Eric Schmersal, Jen Foster, Melissa Fallon and Scot Grassette; and, back row, Saramarie Gervais, Stephen Penney, Lily True, Chuck Bellegarde and Tylene Scott.

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