BAKER CITY — Grieving the loss of baby Freddie, the Ingalls family climbed in the wagon and started the journey for Burr Oak, Iowa.

Mourning the baby and having lost their crop to grasshoppers, the family will run a hotel in Iowa.

“We don’t have much, and we may be headed for less,” Pa, played by Jay Billings, said to his family. “But we always have each other.”

This play, titled “A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas” and set in 1876, tells the story of two years that never appeared in Laura’s series of books, which covered the family’s life from 1872 to 1894.

Eastern Oregon Regional Theater will present the play over two weekends: Dec. 6-8 and Dec. 13-15. Shows are at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets for opening night, Dec. 6, are $11 adults and $5 students. After that, ticket prices are $13 adults, $11 members and $5 students. Purchase tickets at easternoregonregionaltheatre.com, by calling 541-523-9652 or at the door.

Alana Haven, 11, plays Laura. She said this is her first big part in a play.

“I’m never off stage,” she said.Her interest was piqued by the script, Haven is now reading the books.

“I’m a year older than Laura is supposed to be in this,” she said.

Finley Ellis and Gwen Swart share the role of Carrie. When asked about her character who often brings comic relief to every scene, Swart said she likes “how funny she is.”

Haven wears her long dark hair in braids, just like Laura. And those braids are too much temptation for Johnny Steadman, who Laura calls “the worst boy in Iowa” after he yanks on her braid yet again.

Levi Howard plays Johnny, and grins about the scene where he fools Laura into thinking he’s handing her a frog.

“The one with the cowpie — that’s my favorite scene,” he said.

Elizabeth Ellis plays Ma, and Avery Ellis is Mary. Elisabeth Munsell plays Mrs. Starr. Channin Becker is the director, assisted by Cindy Ratterman. Riley Schuette is the student assistant director, and the crew also includes Kyra Cheren and Payton Peppers.