It’s time to kick back and enjoy another energetic performance from the Red Deer Homeschool Players.

The theatrical troupe present Kokonut Kapers at the First Baptist Church March 9-11 at 7 p.m.

A matinee of the zany, tropical island musical comedy runs March 10 at 1:30 p.m. as well. There is no charge to attend but a free will offering will be taken.

This year’s cast numbers about 30, explains director Debbie Zepick, who has been at the helm of these popular shows for the past several years.

“These kids are the greatest bunch to work with, and the parental involvement is huge,” she said, adding she has no trouble getting help with everything from set and costume design to sound and light operation.

Kokonut Kapers was written by the late Tim Kelly, who was well-known for penning fun and engaging musical comedies that are well-suited for family entertainment, she said.

An extremely prolific artist, Kelly was born in Saugus, Massachusetts in 1937. His first stage play was Widow’s Walk which was published in the 1960s. At the same time, three of his plays opened including A Darker Flower at New York’s Pocket Theatre, The Trunk and All That Jazz at Boston’s Image Theatre and Die Blum in Germany.

Ultimately, Kelly wrote more than 300 plays which have been performed by troupes ranging from The Royal Court Rep and the Manhattan Theatre Club to the Los Angeles Actor’s Theatre and the Aspen Playwright’s Festival.

Zepick said selecting the right production for the Red Deer Homeschool Players has meant poring over hundreds of scripts over the years. For her young thespians, Kelly provides just what they’re looking for.

“The kids love the fun and silly characters, so it really works,” she said. “It’s a totally family-oriented show.

mweber@reddeerexpress.com