(Dates and times listed in poster image)

SARANAC LAKE – Since 1823, Clement Clarke Moore’s “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” has delighted children of all ages the world over during the holiday season. Pendragon Theatre’s production of Ken Ludwig’s “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” is a little different, although the cast feels it will also delight children and adults this holiday season.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Pendragon veteran Matt Sorensen, who plays Mulch, Wendell and Santa Claus in the show. “It’s called ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,’ and it’s based on ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,’ the poem, but that’s about where it ends. It’s pretty much its own original, wacky story.

“It’s an English pantomime, and it’s very slapsticky, silly, goofy and fast, and that’s why most of us play more than one character. There is a lot of back and forth, a lot of confusion and a lot of fun, but it’s very good family entertainment, and it’s funny enough for the adults to come without the kids, too.”

Ken Ludwig’s website describes the show as “the wild adventures of a mouse, an elf and a spunky little girl who just won’t take no for an answer.”

The play, directed by Kent Streed, has been compared to Pixar’s brand of humor by the Washington Post, and the members of the cast were clearly enjoying themselves at a rehearsal Dec. 4, where they explained a little about their characters and the show.

“Emily is really sweet, but she has attitude,” said Morgan Olsen, who plays Emily. “She’s settled, except when she goes into action, and she’s frantic and talking a mile a minute.”

“Amos the mouse is a resident of the house where Emily lives,” said Lucky Cerrutti, who plays Amos. “He is kind of brought along on this crazy adventure to save Christmas, and he learns a little bit about himself and how to enjoy his adventures.”

“Calliope is the elf that sort of gets everything going because she has suspected for some time that Emily’s house is somehow removed from Santa’s list,” said Heather Martell, who plays Calliope and Brittania. “She’s everything you thought an elf would be, but she’s also a Jewish elf, which I like.”

“Uncle Brierly is the sort of real connection to the poem itself because he attempts to recite it but is foiled in that attempt,” said Miles Willow, who plays Uncle Brierly and Sir Guy. “Sir Guy, on the other hand, is quite your classic dastardly villain. … If I had a mustache, I would be twirling it.”

“(Mulch) is the sycophantic sidekick of the evil Sir Guy of Gisborne,” Sorensen said. “He’s very goofy and kind of honest to a fault, and he’s not altogether very bright, a lot like Gracie Allen with George Burns.”

Sorensen also discussed his performance as Santa.

“There is an edge to him,” he said. “He’s just like any other human man who runs the show all the time and might slip up a few times, but won’t really admit it. He’s a big deal he’s Santa Claus.”

If you’re a fan of sword-fighting, Christmas rapping and zaniness in general, the members of the cast feel you will enjoy the show.

“It’s just a bundle of fun,” Martell said.

For more information, visit www.pendragontheatre.org.