Though it is basically the same show as the previous two years, there have been some changes, and all the components seem to work together more smoothly each year. The scene changes take less valuable time, and the colorful projected images and interim music fill the gaps nicely.

Thirty-six participants contribute their lively energies, a third of them for the first time to WCT, which is heartening. Community theaters should engage all comers. Being on stage, memorizing lines, songs, movements, working with others - all worthwhile activities, especially for children. One could feel and hear the audience reactions to the performances of their own little darlings. That was another show in itself.

A glistening stage set devised by A.J. Simon, a plethora of clever costumes designed by Dana Brzezinski, good lighting and sound choices by Aason J. Schmidt and able direction by Katie Danner and Jacob Sudbrink spelled success as we re-visited some of our favorite Christmas carols and stories.

A few treasured characters included The Grinch, Santa’s elves, Charlie Brown, the Crachit family, Scrooge, Rudolph, Frosty and the Abominable Snowman, an ominous presence that the children loved screaming at.

Nicely rendered tunes included "Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree," by Alexa Farrell, Kellie Kuehl and Esther O"Brien, and "Perfect Christmas Night," by Erin Wilson-Xayosa, Shawn Spellman, Jessica Hancock and Jessica Surprenant. The songs gave some of the teenagers in the cast a chance to shine.

Some of the solos by the children were precious. Alivia Nettesheim aced "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," and Regan Nugent amused us with her rendition of "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas."

"The Carol of the Bells" was the loveliest of the ensemble numbers, and I wondered why there weren’t more numbers using harmonies, since the group really sounded quite melodious together. Surprenant, who has a spectacular voice, led the group. The inclusion of a Hawaiian carol was an unexpected new addition.

The older gentlemen who added a lot of spice to the show were Tom Koth, who was an impressive Grinch; John A. Sindic, as a spirited Heat Miser and Mr. Bailey; and Jim Volden, who played Scrooge and Sam the Snowman. All played their roles with fervor.

Giving some background on some of the carols was informative and interesting, and the nuanced reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" was quite lovely. There wasn’t a flaw in the entire rendition. Shawn Spellman’s solo on "Christmas Eve" provided a nice contrast with its more adult themes. Her voice was a bit weak, but her sincerity moved us.

All in all, a good vehicle for getting us in the mood amid the hectic obligations of our lives.