Last year, Gordy Handeland was looking for a show to produce in Mantorville before Christmas. He ran across a play that was actually a collection of short stories, “Uh-Oh, Here Comes Christmas,” based on the books by Robert Fulghum and written by Ernest Zulia and David Caldwell.

The show went over so well, that when Albert Lea Community Theatre needed a show to fill its pre-holiday spot this year, Handeland didn’t hesitate to suggest this one. He’s directing the show, which opens Thursday at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.

“Uh-Oh” takes a funny, heartwarming and often poignant look at the struggle to find the spirit of the holidays amid the avalanche of commercialism, stress and chaos that crashes down every December. Among the many stories are musings about a love/hate relationship with the vibrant poinsettia that arrives in most homes every December and hangs on and on and on, long after the holidays have ended, as well as confessions at the refrigerator.

“The only thing it doesn’t touch on is fruitcake,” Handeland said.

“Uh-Oh, Here Comes Christmas” uses the same two-act revue format as “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” which ACT staged a couple of years ago. It incorporates some 15 funny and touching stories related to the holidays, as well as four original songs and many familiar holiday tunes.

Deb Cooper is the musical director for the production. Debra Koenigs is stage manager.

The cast features Joanne Fox of Austin, Mark Place of Owatonna, and Steve Schwartz, Tony Segura and Carrie Boyer-Olvera, all of Albert Lea.

Handeland said he enjoys the variety the show provides.

“There’s some touching stuff and some funny stuff,” he said.

“I think it will bring back memories. Who hasn’t been involved in some way with a Christmas pageant?” he asked.

What: The Albert Lea Community Theatre production of “Uh-Oh, Here Comes Christmas.”

When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4-6 and Dec. 10-13.

Where: Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, 147 N. Broadway Ave.

How: Call the box office at 377-4371. The box office is open to the public from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on performance nights; 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday evening performances.

Handeland also built the simple set, many elements of which he used last year.

Place said he was excited to be part of the play because “Fulghum weaves such wonderful stories.”

“There is a central theme that runs through the show, but we’re not going to say what it is because it’s too fun to watch,” he added.

Schwartz said the show appealed to him because it needed a curmudgeon. “Rarely do I have a particular idea of what I want to read for, but I came ready,” he said.

He also likes the show because the author says what people are afraid to say or what they thought.

Fox said she is enjoying the play because of the humorous situations that happen at Christmas.

“It’s a tender, fun piece,” she added.

She also enjoys the people in the ensemble.

“We have a good chemistry together,” she said.

For Segura, the small, personal cast and the comedy were appealing.

“I can relate to a lot of these stories,” he said.

Handeland said the show is appropriate for all ages.

The show runs Thursday through Saturday and again Dec. 10-13 at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, 147 N. Broadway Ave. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m.

For tickets, call the box office at 377-4371.