The ABC Players’ musical production of “Hansel and Gretel“ – a Christmas story about a poor family whose children wander into the deep woods, where they find a witch who lives in a gingerbread cottage – will kick off the holiday season at Stuart’s Opera House this Friday through Sunday.

Directed by Celeste Parsons with musical direction by David Tadlock, “Hansel and Gretel” tells the classic fairy tale while weaving in musical numbers from the opera by Englebert Humperdinck. The story of Hansel (Hannah Bruckner), Gretel (Sydni Roell), and their parents (Kaylla Steadman and Nathan Hashman) is suitable for all ages, according to a news release, and introduces the audience to new characters such as the Dew Fairy, the Sandman and, of course, the Witch, when the children wander into the woods before Christmas.

The musical will play a special holiday engagement at Stuart’s Opera House Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. As with every year’s ABC Players holiday show, all show profits will support Stuart’s Opera House, and all donations for refreshments will benefit the Nelsonville Food Cupboard during a time of high need, the release added.