For their first-ever Christmas show, Pintello Comedy Theater will present the story of a small-town church Christmas pageant spinning wildly out of control as three squabbling sisters try to reign in the mayhem.  Amidst an ailing Santa, a vengeful sheep, and a reluctant Elvis impersonator, a family secret emerges that just might derail the entire production.  Christmas-time in Fayro, Texas, will never be the same!  And this production is sure to add some joy to your holiday season!

“This could be the quintessential southern holiday comedy,” says director Rod Pintello.  “The characters are charming and very funny, all with a Texas drawl.” He and his wife Marion are hosting this fourth show of 2009, opening on Friday, November 20th and playing every weekend through December 12th.  

Written by a trio of talented writers, Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, “Christmas Belles” boasts the largest cast in the seven-year history of Pintello Comedy Theater.  Only two of the actors, Deanna McGill as Gina Jo, and Peter Mandel as Dub Dubberly, are new to PCT’s stage.   The rest of the cast has played on the Pintello stage before.  You’ll recognize Rosalind Farotte, Denee Lewis Bohnsack and Erica Rizzi as the feuding Futrelle sisters, along with Barbara Bottini as Rhonda Lynn, Gary Glasspool as Reynerd, Matt Haluza as Justin, Rob Langford as John Curtis, Christine Wanish as Geneva, Valerie Vanni as Patsy Price. 

The Pintellos enjoy all aspects of the theater business, and they swap jobs throughout the seasons, include family and friends onstage, offstage and backstage.  Of course the Pintello offspring, Whitney, and Simon and Stephanie Pintello, have all been seen onstage and off.  Even the grandkids, Shelby and Mary McClelland, always help out, as well as having appeared in cameo roles.

This new show will open on Friday, November 20, 2009, and run Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m. for four weekends, through December 12th.  One matinee will be presented on Sunday, November 29th, and the play will be interpreted for American Sign Language by daughter-in-law Stephanie Pintello on Saturday evening November 28nd.  Reservations and information are online at www.PintelloComedy.com or by calling 408-776-8004, or e-mail to Pintello@charter.net .

Produced by Rod and Marion Pintello, the comedy play is being presented in the Gilroy Grange Hall, 8191 Swanston Lane in Gilroy.  The comedy troupe continues to perform full-length comedy plays featuring local actors, comfortable table seating, coffee and cookies, and their trademark friendly welcome. 

Bringing four new comedies to the stage each year at the Grange Hall is a labor of love, say the Pintellos adding that the family is very happy with the central location off Leavesley Road between Monterey and Forest.  “Our shows here have been very well-received; we’re very pleased with the enthusiasm of our audiences.  Our patrons have become friends.”

Opening night at the cabaret-style theater will be Friday, November 20th, 2009, with performances continuing Friday and Saturday nights through December 12th, plus one matinee on November 29th.  Information and reservations can be found at the web site www.PintelloComedy.com or by calling 408-776-8004.  Or you can reach the Pintello family on e-mail at Pintello@charter.net.