Magenta Theatre presents “Christmas Belles”

Magenta Theater, 1108 Main St., Vancouver, presents “Christmas Belles” from Dec. 2-18. A church Christmas program spins hilariously out of control in this Southern farce about squabbling sisters, family secrets, a surly Santa, a vengeful sheep and a reluctant Elvis impersonator. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17 and matinee shows are at 2 p.m. Dec. 4, 11 and 18. Tickets are $20 in advance at www.magentatheater.com by calling the box office at 360-949-3098.

It’s Christmastime in the small town of Fayro, Texas, and the Futrelle Sisters — Frankie, Twink and Honey Raye — are not in a festive mood. Honey Raye is trying to keep the Tabernacle of the Lamb’s Christmas Program from spiraling into chaos but things are not looking too promising: Miss Geneva, the ousted director of the previous 27 productions, is ruthless in her attempts to take over the show. The celebrity guest Santa Claus — Frankie’s husband, Dub — is passing a kidney stone. One of the shepherds refuses to watch over her flock by night without pulling a little red wagon. The entire cast is dropping like flies due to food poisoning from the Band Boosters’ Pancake Supper. When Frankie lets slip a family secret that has been carefully guarded for decades, all hope for a successful Christmas program seems lost, even with an Elvis impersonator in the manger.