Twelve little girls in two straight lines who live in an old Parisian house covered in vines will entertain audiences when the Marlboro Community Players present "Madeline's Christmas."

The show will be performed at Marlboro High School, Route 79, Marlboro, on Dec. 4- 6 and Dec. 11-13. Performance times will be 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 and Dec. 11, with the remaining shows beginning at 3 p.m.

"Madeline's Christmas" is based on the beloved Madeline stories by Ludwig Bemelmans.

The story begins with Miss Clavel, portrayed by Manalapan resident Deborah Pedretti, taking the girls out on their morning walk. The girls visit the zoo and then head back to school for their history lesson.

Soon disaster strikes when everyone, except for Madeline, played by Marlboro residentMadison Samilow, comes down with the flu.

Saddened that they may not be able to go home for Christmas, the girls and Miss Clavel take to their beds. But Christmas Eve is when the adventure begins.

The Marlboro Community Players decided to perform "Madeline's Christmas" to bring a show to the community that would boost family participation, said Marsha Vosk, the organization's second vice president.

"We wanted to have the children of Marlboro back into the theater. So their parents can be involved, so they can be involved," Vosk said. Eric Walby, who will direct "Madeline's Christmas," recently appeared onstage with the Marlboro Community Players in a production of "Cinderella" as the king.

Walby said he is excited to have the opportunity to work with a group of young ladies for "Madeline's Christmas."

"This is just an extraordinary group," he said of the young cast.

The director laughed describing how he challenged the actors to prove friends of his wrong after they said a cast of young girls could lead to crazy moments.

"They really are working to be as professional and as seasoned as they can be," Walby said of the young performers.

"Madeline's Christmas" will feature costumes crafted by designer Marilyn Dickholtz. Also working on the winter production is musical director Andrew Macirowski, choreographer Christie Panfile, set designer Betty Pilcz and stage manager Joan Gordon-Chuakay.

The show's cast includes Paul Nixon as Monsieur Brun and Karen Goddard as Mrs. Murphy.

Madeline's classmates include cast members Danielle Alter, Mikayla Berk, Megan Brower, Brittany Derkack, Kerri Hartnett, Nicole Heligman, Lauren Kaufman, Katherine Kennedy, Sarah Ricci, Felicia Russell and Sydney Schoenholtz.

The ensemble cast also includes Julianne Anemone, Edward Cappell, Mark Cappell and Noelle Sierp.

Tickets for "Madeline's Christmas" are $12 for adults and $10 for children. A $2 charge will be added for tickets purchased at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.MarlboroPlayers.com or at Cards for Less in the Marlboro Plaza, Route 9 north, Marlboro. All major credit cards are accepted. For more information call 732-972-7217.