Audiences are taken on a wild, irreverent ride with "The Many Charms of Symon Tuttle (A Strange Christmas Play)," which runs through Dec. 23 at The Charles A. Brown Ice House in Bethlehem.
"The Many Charms of Symon Tuttle" is a new play written by written by local playwright Bruce Brown. It is a crazy, farcical murder mystery which takes place right before Christmas.
The show sets the stage before it even starts with slightly-off sounding minor key versions of Christmas carols, followed by videos of humorously over-indulgent holiday decorations.
As the lights go up on the multi-color tree-bedecked set, the possibly drunken Symon Tuttle, played with giddy abandon by Jake Walbert is singing a slowed-down carol when a shot rings out.
The body is stumbled upon by two men who it turns out both know Symon. John Appleton III and Bradford Whitely are two seeming nonentities who squabble about what to do about the body, showing little concern that someone has died. 
John, who is played with anxious energy by Billy Ehrlacher, wants to abandon the body or have someone else find and report the death, to avoid any problems, while Bradford, an upright Irish ex-CPA played solidly by Dan Ferry, wants to call the police.
A vaguely foreign couple Natalie Uangst and Alfred Smith, chance upon the scene on the way to a party, and although it seems they also knew Symon, they are equally unconcerned about the mans death.
Trish Cipolettis Natalie is cagey and manipulative, while Ara Barliebs Alfred is secretive and deceptive.Pamela Wallace portrays a somewhat confused femme fatale, Alexi.
They all end up at a party hosted by the unctuous Philip Trigstergen, played with a casual arrogance by Bruce Brown.
The play moves rapidly back and forth between the present and flashbacks as each character reveals their interactions with the late Symon. The appearance of police officer Stanley Bradshaw, who may be a detective, or is he a lieutenant, puts all the characters on the spot. The officer is played with beleaguered determination by Scott Van Nortwick.
As everyone explains their connection with Symon, who is undeniably charming but ethically challenged, the proceedings become chaotic. Brown has said he wrote the play to be intentionally confusing, and he succeeds.
Barlieb, who directs, moves the action forward at a quick pace, bringing everything to an unexpected conclusion.
The show is recommended for an adult audience, and some content, including an edgy between-scenes video, could be considered disrespectful and is not for the faint of heart.
Tickets are $20.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22; and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23.
For tickets, call 610-704-6974, or go to www.ckplayers.com/.