-From left, back row: Dave Pinkham, Sara Steenhouse, Ted DeAtley; front: Ben Fraticelli Photo Cathy Dausman

Just what the world needs- more Scrooges at Christmas! But Director David Pinkham gleefully points out that while most plays feature a single Scrooge, "we've got five!"

The Lafayette resident, along with four others, are presenting four free performances of "Uh-Oh, Here Comes Christmas" at three Lamorinda venues December 16 through 20.

The two-act musical play is based on stories by Robert Fulghum, author of "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarden." It pokes gentle fun at dealing with the hassles and realities of the Christmas season. "The silly thing [the script] sat on my desk for five years" Pinkham says, before he decided to produce it. Three of the four performances use church venues, but "this is not a church play."

The play employs a low key approach, using simple, unadorned performance space. The cast is attired in Christmas party casual. Five chairs, four poinsettias and one refrigerator set the stage. Everything -- props, costumes, lighting and sound equipment -- even venues-- have been donated. Admission is free, but audiences will be encouraged to donate to the Contra Costa Food Bank and the Town Hall Theater Education Program.

Pinkham has directed and performed in the East Bay for nearly twenty years. He directs Campolindo's musical performances and works with Diablo Theater's Stars 2000, California Academy of Performing Arts and The Lafayette Town Hall Theatre Company, where he is on the Board of Directors. This production came from his desire to work with an adult ensemble with some natural story telling ability. There were no tryouts, laughs cast member Ben Fraticelli - "We were appointed!"

Joining Fraticelli in the cast are Sara Steenhouse, Ted DeAtley (also from Lafayette), and Carol Somerton. The cast met though their participation at Lafayette Christian Church, where Steenhouse is an Associate Pastor. DeAtley formerly taught at an elementary school in Bangkok, Thailand. Fraticelli is a "partially retired Executive Director" of the Community Health Academy in Oakland. Somerton is a Contra Costa County children's librarian.

"Uh Oh, Here Comes Christmas" will be presented December 16, 7 p.m. at Lafayette Christian Church, 584 Glenside Drive Lafayette; Dec 17 and 18, 7:30 p.m. at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church, 10 Moraga Valley Lane, Moraga and at 8 p.m., Dec 20, Lafayette Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street, Lafayette. Admission is free.