By Scott D. Johnston

Stage West Community Theatre in Ocean Shores is ready to raise the curtain on this year’s holiday play, “PS: Merry Christmas.” The family comedy opens this weekend on the Lions Club stage, 832 Ocean Shores Blvd. NW, with performances Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 2, 3, 9, and 10 at 7 p.m. and Sundays, Dec. 4 and 11 at 2 p.m.

Playwright Pat Cook uses the familiar annual holiday letter — those sappy Christmas communiques full of often idealized versions of all the things that happened in the family all year, whether you want to know or not. Writing the current edition becomes a frame for lead character Karen Brookshire to share her family’s year in a series of small vignettes, with humorous and heartwarming results.

“We have a strong cast, with some experienced actors and some brand new to the stage,” said director Lori Hardin.

The cast includes: Karin Svare Noble as Karen Brookshire; Michael Barbero as Marlon Brookshire; Matt Thomas as Thad Brookshire, Andre, and Antique Expert; Isabel Harnagy as Katie Brookshire; Pamela Nygaard as Gretchen, Grandma Kushman, and Mrs. Barnhouse; Sallyann Mapile as Dodo; Keira Gibson as Virginia (a voiceover); and Olivia Thomas as Young Karen.

Noble carries “a heavy line load” in the lead role, her first Stage West production. She called the show “a great way to kick off the holiday — it’s funny, feel-good, wacky, cute, and sentimental.”

For this production, the stage manager is Vickie Espinoza, the set builder is Ron Cooper and sound and lighting are by Cooper and Eric Bjella.

Tickets for “PS: Merry Christmas” are available at Mocha Madness, Dolores and Fay’s, Ocean Shores Animal Hospital and at the door. For more information about Stage West Community Theatre, visit their website at stagewestcommunitytheatre.org.

Michael Barbero and Karin Svare Noble as Marlon and Karen Brookshire.