GRAND FORKS – Celebrating its 10th anniversary, “A Magical Medora Christmas” show is coming to the Chester Fritz Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Dec. 21.

The show, a holiday version of the summertime Medora Musical in Medora, North Dakota, begins at 3 p.m. It’s being presented in 24 communities in three states – the Dakotas and Minnesota – and concludes with a show Sunday, Dec. 22, in Bismarck.

The theme of this year’s show, “Joy,” reflecting the familiar Christmastime sentiment. The show features a variety of old and new Christmas favorites, including modern, classic, country and even some silly songs, said Misti Koop, a cast member.

“We all know this is a particularly joyful time of year,” said Bill Sorenson, of Bismarck, the show’s host and producer, “and the theme will weave its way through the performance to a finale that will knock your socks off.”

The show features singers and band members who are familiar to past audiences, but also brass players and magicians. Master magician Colin Zasadny, who also performs in Medora, will have audience members scratching their heads, Sorenson said.

Travis Smith, of Columbus, Ohio, is marking his sixth year as music director with the Medora Christmas Tour. The composer, pianist and multi-instrumentalist has directed more than 100 professional productions across the country.

Cast members Koop, of East Grand Forks, and Damen Fichtner, a Dickinson native, are longtime performers in the Medora Musical and the Christmas touring show. Koop has toured with a New York-based production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” and performed with Norwegian Cruise Lines. She directs the Frost Fire Summer Theater productions near Walhalla, North Dakota. Fichtner, of Minneapolis, performed several seasons in Medora with the Burning Hills Singers and serves as a session musician and recording artist.

The cast also includes New Yorkers Michael Cartwright, vocalist, trumpeter and band leader, who is a returning star of the touring show, and Cydney McQuillan-Grace, vocalist and songwriter, who is making her debut. Her distinctive voice has been described as soulful, sensitive, rich and powerful, Sorenson said.

Other debuting New Yorkers are Trent and Megan Tabor. Last summer, Trent quickly became a fan favorite in his first season with the Medora Musical. Megan, a singer and actor, has accrued a number of commercial film and TV credits.

Also new to the show are Evan Raines, on fiddle and drums, and Emily Schuman, on guitar and vocals.

“This season, the flow and caliber of everyone’s talents is stronger than we could have ever imagined,” Koop said. “This is one of the most special groups I’ve had the privilege to perform with, work with, live with and spend the holiday season with. We laugh and smile all the time.”

Tickets are $43. For more information, visit

www.medorachristmas.com

or call the Fritz box office, (701) 777-4090.