That “Make We Merry weekend” that’s awaited by so many folks in the Three Rivers area is here!

Make We Merry, the annual holiday extravaganza presented by the Three Rivers Community Players, will ring in the yuletide season on Friday and Saturday (December 4th and 5th) at 7:30 p.m. in the Three Rivers High School Performing Arts Center.

This popular potpourri of holiday entertainment features over 100 area performers in an evening of music, dancing, and laughter sure to delight audiences of all ages.

As noted by the show’s producer, Diane Foghino, Make We Merry has become a holiday tradition for the entire family:  Diane_Foghino_clip – :59

2009 marks the Players’ 26th anniversary year for Make We Merry. The 60-member Three Rivers Community Players Chorus will entertain at different times throughout the program.  Three Rivers High School’s Aristocrats, under the direction of Joel Moore, will perform Friday night in their eleventh Make We Merry.  Vocalist Carolyn Cook will be part of Saturday’s line-up.  The newly formed Flute Choir directed by Ruth Corrie and Colleen Yonge will debut at this year’s Make We Merry.

The talented Three Rivers Community Players Junior Chorus will once again be singing up a storm and strutting their stuff.  Friday night will feature the Brandenburg Concert and the polished Kalamazoo Brass Quintet will be performing Saturday night.  Make We Merry is also pleased to welcome Michael Northrup back as a solo performer as well as Diane Byrne.

Novelty acts will include performers Jean Skalski, Lisa Linn,  Ruth Stears, Joy Freude, Debra Abel, and Diane Foghino and numerous others that will be” unveiled at the performances”. The Kings of Klutz will, of course, once again be singing and stomping up a storm.  Mary Kline will be at the keyboard, Rob Adams will handle percussion, and Marcia Pustelnik will provide choral direction.  And don’t forget jolly Mr. and Mrs. Claus and their hard-working elves!

Tickets are priced at $10 for reserved seating and $9 for general admission. Tickets are available now at Beam Sound and Video at 1125 W. Michigan Avenue (269) 279-6251.  Remaining seats will also be sold at the door. Tickets may be charged over the phone ($1.00 service charge per order) and picked up the evening of the performance.

Proceeds from Make We Merry go into the Players’ Building Fund to be used for the on-going renovations and upkeep of their theatre.

For additional insights into the Make We Merry tradition and this year’s performance, click on the following link to hear an interview with Diane Foghino, producer of the show, an interview conducted Thursday afternoon (December 3rd) by Bruce Snook of the River Country Journal:  Diane_Foghino_interview (5:27)