Amy Fairchild has released a new Christmas album.

ENTERPRISE — Local youngsters are preparing to present two holiday musicals for the community at the OK Theatre, 208 W. Main St.

The musicals — “Elves on Strike!” and “What Christmas Means” — were written, composed and directed by local music educator Amy Fairchild. This event is presented with Wallowa Valley Music Alliance.

Performances are 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. Admission is by donation at the door.

“Elves on Strike!” is described as “a goofy, Christmas caper where Mrs. Claus, Santa and Rudolph recount a Christmas where things almost went off the rails.” “What Christmas Means” is a “hilarious and heart-warming tale that follows a fictional group of friends through their holiday season in Wallowa County.”

The cast includes 38 actors and singers from ages 6 to 12. They started rehearsals in late September.

Fairchild and her family moved to Wallowa County about 18 months ago. Prior to that, she taught for 15 years at a school in northwest Portland where she helped with musical productions.

In 2015, she wrote her own.

“I really loved the experience of writing the music and working with the kids,” she said. “I love to write music, I love to compose. It’s my passion.”

She wrote several more and saw a new opportunity after moving to Northeastern Oregon.

“There’s not a lot of kids musical theater opportunities here,” she said. “To have a place where they belong and people can see what they can do.”

She’s ready for opening night.

“I cannot wait to see them up on stage,” she said. “I’m thrilled to give most of them their first theater experience. It’s magical.”

Support

This Wallowa Valley Music Alliance program is supported by Fishtrap, the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, the Enterprise-Joseph Lions Club, the OK Theatre and Soroptimist International of Wallowa County.

Youth Holiday Musicals

Wallowa County children will present two holiday musicals, written and directed by Amy Fairchild, this weekend at the OK Theatre, 208 W. Main St. in Enterprise. Shows are 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9.

Admission is by donation.