King’s Fork High School students are gearing up for Friday’s opening night of their dramatic production “The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus.”

According to theater teacher Tammarrah Addison, who took over the role this year from Jennifer Miguel, said L. Frank Baum’s 1902 tale of the Christmas tradition is the perfect fit for the holiday season.

“I chose this because I wanted to bring everybody together,” Addison said. “For an hour and 30 minutes, everyone gets to laugh.”

Two shows are planned for the school auditorium: 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday. Tickets will be $5 at the door.

Numbering 28 students, the cast and crew began rehearsals in October, Addison said. “We had some cast changes, but the kids have been very resilient,” she said.

Seth Miller, a ninth-grader, plays the title character. “I’m excited, and hopefully everyone will come out here and enjoy the show,” he said.

It’s his first stage performance, Miller added.

Elizabeth Sykes, meanwhile, has previously performed in student one-acts and worked on props and backstage.

Sykes plays Weekum, a little girl who, together with her sister, inspires Santa Claus to make “the toy.”

A’Via Linton, a senior at King’s Fork, plays Necille, and says she’s excited to do so.

“I feel a lot of people are going to like it,” Linton said of the play.

Addison gave a big shout-out to the art department, whose students, under the tutelage of Stephanie Gwaltney, have created an impressive array of props, including snowflakes and a snow-covered village.

Addison has come to King’s Fork High from teaching at a Department of Defense school in Japan.

Previous to that experience, the educator of eight years was the theater teacher at Smithfield High School, where she said she expanded the theater department to Theater 1, 2, 3 and 4.

“And that’s what I plan on doing here,” Addison said.

“I think more kids will come when it’s more relative to them — when they are able to see themselves in character.”