**Actors from the Red Octopus Theatre Company will perform “The Christmas Show” four times this weekend at the Newport Performing Arts Center.** (Oregon Coast TODAY)

By Oregon Coast TODAY

Don your favorite ugly Christmas sweater and grab your family and friends because the Red Octopus Theatre Company’s “The Christmas Show” is returning to the Newport Performing Arts Center for four performances this weekend.

With a refreshed production and a new musical guest, the family-friendly, sketch-comedy-style holiday tradition is back with new material and returning audience favorites. The production is written and directed by local theater mainstay Darcy Lawrence.

“My vision for ‘The Christmas Show’ is holiday-themed sketch comedy that is free of political humor and adult themes,” she said. “I believe clean is not anathema to funny. In my sketches, Santa will always be real and the comedy will never be crude or divisive. I want everyone in our community to be able to enjoy this holiday tradition together.”

The show keeps the elements guests have come to expect, including an appearance by Santa Claus and snow inside the theater. The evening once again ends with thousands of homemade Christmas cookies, baked and donated by Kate Boyes.

The 2025 cast features Alex Herd, April LeMaster, Barbara Berge, Brett Belleque, Caity Showalter, Chris Vono, Cody Larsen, Curtis Andersen, Doug Chadwick, Frannie Germeshausen, Gary Herd, Holly Brown, Jack Johnson, Jennifer Hamilton, Jessica Moll, Kimber Kell, Layla Wells, Leslie Brown, Lucy Furuheim, Marc Montminy, Marcel Davis, Megan Walters, Molly McAlister, Peighton Riley, Richie Scott, Russell Sweet, Scott Branchfield, SeaHeart Elan, Stacy Fischer, Tiffany Powell, Tyler Walters and Will Moss Webster, with musical guest Calvin Davidson, a young guitar virtuoso.

Tickets are $20 for all seats. Continuing its tradition of giving back, Red Octopus Theatre Company offers a $5 discount when guests purchase tickets in person at the box office and bring two non-perishable food items for Food Share of Lincoln County. The discount with donation will be available during December box office hours.

Performances take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19; at 2 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20; and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. For tickets and more information, go to www.coastarts.org/christmas or call 541-265-2787.