Angels take to holiday stage

Just in time for Christmas comes the heartwarming story of two murderers and a thief -- on stage that is, as Valley Performing Arts kicks off My Three Angels tonight.

The storyline ensures people will have a few laughs this holiday season, as well as see the true meaning of Christmas. It details three convicted felons who have escaped and are stuck on an island with a businessman and his family.

"It's a timely performance with a little humor for Christmas," said Rod Mehrtens, who is directing the production. "The convicts help the family out of the goodness of their hearts.

"I think we need to be convinced that there are positives in everybody, even the people we tend to look down on," Mehrtens said.

As the story begins, the temperature has dropped to 104 degrees in French Guiana on Christmas day, and the convicts are helping a family get a roof over its head and Christmas dinner on the table.

While the story is about helping others and the spirit of Christmas, Mehrtens said he can even see a parallel to the unscrupulous big businesses of recent memory.

"In one scene, Joe [the thief] tells the businessman that he isn't a convict, he's just like the businessman," Mehrtens said with a chuckle.

Mehrtens' last directed a VPA play three years ago, but he designs the sets for almost every VPA production, as he did for My Three Angels.

"When people first saw the set, they saw seven entrances and said, 'This has to be a comedy,'" Mehrtens said.

Mehrtens gets a hand in his return to the director's chair from longtime VPA veterans.

Taking the stage are Grant Olson, who has directed well over 50 productions, Ted Carney, Scott Sterling and Bill and Genie Seidler, all who have lengthy VPA credentials, directing, acting and designing costumes and sets.

"It's good because I don't have to tell them how to do everything and what I'm looking for," Mehrtens said. "We all work well together. It's been a lot of fun."

Sterling last was on stage in Moon Over Buffalo, which is the last production Mehrtens directed.

"He's our VPA president, but he hasn't been on stage lately," Mehrtens said. "I told him it's time to get back up there. It's been great."

Also appearing in My Three Angels are Jennifer Martin, Christina Lloyd, Thomas Jacobs, Matt Firmin and Chris Suarez.

"Jennifer had a supporting role in Charlie's Aunt, and Matt had a minor role in Murder After Hours," Mehrtens said. "Chris Suarez had a small role in All My Sons, but he's still kind of a rookie."

The production opens tonight and runs through Dec. 21 at Machetanz Theater in Wasilla. Show times are 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.