Dixon Community Theater will open its holiday production, “Dixon’s Great Big Little Christmas Show,” with three performances Dec. 5 to Dec. 7 at the Dixon Performing Arts Center, 555 College Way. Photo by Nicolas Brown

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Dixon Community Theater (DCT) will open its holiday production, “Dixon’s Great Big Little Christmas Show,” with three performances Dec. 5 to Dec. 7 at the Dixon Performing Arts Center, 555 College Way.

Shows are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and 2 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7.

Kelly Pidgeon James, Dixon Community Theater vice president and the show’s scriptwriter, said the company wanted to feature performers from multiple age groups.

“We wanted to do another show that incorporated multigenerational singers and actors,” said James. “It was initially going to be an all-adult production but Christmas is for kids. It’s a mix between a play and a cabaret, so it’s a show built around singing and performing.”

The tone of the production differs from last year’s holiday offering, according to James.

The cast includes returning and new performers, such as Layla Wood, Matthew Popovitz, Angi Wolf, Angie Abrew, Bentley Abrew (pictured), and many others. Photo by Nicolas Brown

“It’s a comedy, it definitely has a funny script to it and it has the Christmas morals intertwined,” said James. “We have some incredible singers involved. Anything uplifting is what we were going for this time of year.”

The show features an original script, which James said sets the production apart from other regional seasonal offerings.

“It’s an original script. Never been seen before,” said James. “You’re seeing a lot of the same shows in other local theaters but DCT has done four original shows this year.”

The cast includes returning and new performers. Among them are Bentley Abrew, Layla Wood, Matthew Popovitz, Angi Wolf and Angie Abrew. James said that the ensemble also includes performers from outside of Dixon, including performers connected to Davis Musical Theatre Company. Founded in 1984 by Jan Donowitz and Steve Isaacson, Davis Musical Theatre Company is recognized as California’s longest-running, year-round amateur musical theater company.

Nineteen songs are included in the production. Most pieces will be performed to music tracks but the show will also feature live accompaniment from music director and pianist Jacob Fennell of Davis Musical Theatre Company.

James said community participation is a major component of this year’s production. The Dec. 6 performance offers free admission for families who bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Dixon Family Services. The offer is limited to one free entry per family.

Students from Dixon Montessori Charter School will open the Dec. 5 show with a performance of “Hot Chocolate” from “The Polar Express.”

The theater company will also participate in local holiday events, including the city’s Christmas tree lighting and the Kiwanis Festival of Trees.

James said that the show reflects themes important to residents.

“It’s very much a community-based show and incorporates locals, mostly from Dixon,” said James. “The show is really about what makes Christmas important, like home, family and community.”

She hopes audiences recognize the depth of local talent.

“I’m hoping they will see the deep talent pool here in Dixon,” said James. “It went untapped for so long, so I’m hoping they really see the diversity of Dixon Community Theater. We try to cover people of all ages.”

The “Dixon’s Great Big Little Christmas Show” features an original script and 19 songs. Most pieces will be performed to music tracks, but the show will also feature live accompaniment from music director and pianist Jacob Fennell of Davis Musical Theatre Company. Photo by Nicolas Brown

Tickets for adults are $15 and tickets for seniors and children under 12 are $10. Tickets can be purchased at the door as online sales closed on Dec. 3.

James also encouraged families to participate in local holiday activities.

“Get out of the house, get out into the community, enjoy the many, many, many amazing events that Dixon puts on for families,” said James. “We are so lucky we live in a town that celebrates the town itself.”

James said that Dixon Community Theater, now entering its third year, is grateful for continued community support.

“We’ve been in operation for two solid years,” she said. “A lot of nonprofits don’t make it to one, so we’re so grateful.”

Auditions for the theater’s first 2026 production, “The House of Frankenstein” by Martin Downing, are scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 15 and Dec. 16 at the new Veterans Memorial Hall, 1305 N. First St.

For more information, visit dixoncommunitytheater.org or call 707-903-8387.