OKEECHOBEE – The Okeechobee Community Theatre production of “Billy Shakespeare’s Christmas Extravaganza and Traveling Freak Show” was a hilarious holiday treat.

The play, directed by Tina Welborn, opened Dec. 5, delighted a packed audience in the Okeechobee Freshman Campus Auditorium with three one-act comedies.

“The Bestest Christmas Ever in Texas” was the story of two children who dream of a white Christmas, and their terminally pessimistic mother who was sure they are all doomed to be barbecued alive by global warming.

Siblings Kaylie (Cylei Salmons) and Jess (Rory Van Wormer) somehow managed to stay hopeful despite the warnings from their Mother (Kim Van Wormer) that they’ll eventually perish from radiation or brain tumors.

Keegan Van Wormer gave a short-lived but scene-stealing performance as Frosty the Snowman.

Louise Chandler was the narrator for the crazy holiday tale that somehow finds a happy ending.

In “The Elf Rebellion” three elves (Noah Wright, Joseph Welborn and Leon Johnson) were unsatisfied with pay and benefits at the North Pole – mostly because they get no pay or benefits as they slaved away making toys.  When Santa (Jack Boon) refused to listen to their grievances, they decided to go on strike.

Dreyann Foster claimed to be a little girl who wanted to save Christmas, but her story soon fell apart.

When Oompa Loompas (Finley Sylvain, Kora Sylvain, Lynx West and Keegan Van Wormer) showed up, the twisted tale provided plenty of laughs for the audience.

“The Christmas Machine” started in a friendly town where the villagers (Jack Boon, Josh Van Wormer, Leon Johnson, Joseph Welborn, Finley Sylvain, Kora Sylvain, Rory Van Wormer, Lynx West, Amanda West, Judy Brady, Keegan Van Wormer and Kim Van Wormer) lived in harmony until a conman called The Moo (Kenny Freightner) came to town.

The mayor (Christopher Bullock) and Mother (Rachel Covington) along with the other townsfolk were soon convinced not only that they must rent The Moo’s Christmas machine, but also spend all their money and go into debt buying more … and more … and more Christmas decorations and presents.

Sadie Groover played the little girl who bravely stood up to The Moo.

Louise Chandler, as the narrator, kept the story on track as the characters remember the true meaning of Christmas.