Christmas Thieves Opens Tonight in Laramie

The Albany County Theatre presents a family friendly holiday production filled with polka music, live radio comedy and good times for everyone with Christmas Thieves: A Small Town Radio Play. Featuring Jay Shogren and the Flyggapojkernas Family Fun Time Orkestra, this evening of theatre is guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit.

The two acts of this play offer two different types of entertainment, offering a nice change of pace that keeps the audience engaged. A live polka band dominates the first act as the scene is set. It's Christmas Eve in America's heartland and radio host Bjorn Gundlarrsen is preparing for the telethon performance that will keep his tiny polka station afloat. Be ready for punk polka, traditional polka dancing in the aisles and some interesting versions of contemporary songs while being introduced to the main players.

Unfortunately for Bjorn, the prize troupe of British actors he's hired to help him raise funds won't make the telethon. With time running out, Bjorn must do his best to replace them to save the show. This is where the second act finds a great rhythm. The audience is treated to a behind-the-scenes look at old time radio production complete with sound effects as a small group bands together in an attempt to help the station survive. It is their attempt at a Christmas miracle that carries the heart of the show and provides the biggest laughs.

Christmas Thieves was written by Greg Oliver Bodine and is directed by Bliss Ragsdale. The biggest contribution Ragsdale brings is the loose humor. The actors have the freedom to take jokes and gags to levels where many times they are forced to hold back, but not so in this production and it is better because of the chances being taken and the free flowing humor.

The play opens tonight at in the Laramie Plains Civic Center Theatre and runs through Saturday with all performances starting a 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and can be purchased at the LPCC box office or online at albanycountytheatre.org. Tickets will be $12 at the door.

Listen below to Bliss Ragsdale's interview on Laramie Live for more insight into this holiday production.