If you’ve heard laughter rolling through Cooma over the past week, you’re not imagining it. It’s simply the sound of three delighted audiences chortling their way through Cooma Little Theatre’s latest triumph, ‘Stars in the Snow’.

After last weekend’s rave reviews and enthusiastic crowds, it’s safe to say this show has not only landed, it has also made itself impossible to ignore.

With only two performances left this Saturday, 29 November at 2pm and 7.30pm, locals are being urged to snap-up tickets now through the CLT website (www.clt.com.au) or grab them at the door before this home-grown whirlwind of a production takes its final bow.

All tickets are just $11, making this an affordable outing for families, friends or community groups.

Written by locals Nadine Holland, Vera Shanley, and Emily Perkin, who also perform in the show, ‘Stars in the Snow’ is a riotous, parody-packed love letter to the Snowy Monaro.

The cast of 18 performers, with actors from as young as 10 years-of-age, brings to life every quirky, beloved corner of the region.

From Cooma’s buskers to Adaminaby’s trout, Bombala’s platypus to Jindabyne’s snow tourists, nothing and no one escapes the comedic spotlight. Michelago gets run, where the trains don’t stop because the train service has completely derailed.

And while the humour is clever, silly, and rapid, the show is perfect for all ages. Anyone who loves a good laugh, a bit of chaos and the sheer joy of seeing local quirks reflected on stage will feel right at home.

There’s even the occasional nod to Cooma Little Theatre’s alleged resident ghost, who may or may not make an appearance, which is just one of the many ways the audience finds itself unexpectedly caught up in the onstage antics.

Musical director, Vera Shanley, has led the charge in re-inventing familiar tunes with fresh, hilarious lyrics tailored to each town visited in the show. Audiences are still humming them days later to the mixed delight and mild frustration of others.

Last weekend’s audiences couldn’t stop talking after the show.

“I laughed so hard that I cried,” Bronte from Cooma declared.

“I never thought I would hear a song about a trout set to Christmas music.”

Melissa said her children are still singing the Bombala platypus song in the car.

“The problem is, they’re singing it loudly when it’s supposed to be quietly. I’m not sure whether to thank the cast or lodge a noise complaint, but it’s wonderful to see the kids experiencing local, live theatre,” Melissa said.

The drama isn’t only onstage. Behind the scenes, Liz Sherlock (lights) and Dave Small (sound) have created a spectacular visual and auditory display which audiences have described as ‘absolutely stunning’.

Their re-creation of the Snowy Monaro’s recent aurora, those shimmering, shifting lights that mesmerised the region as recently as last week is a highlight.

For director and co-writer, Nadine Holland, ‘Stars in the Snow’ represents something especially close to her heart.

“Community theatre is one of the purest and most joyful forms of creativity,” she said.

“It’s about people, theatre enthusiasts, on stage and behind the scenes, all working together to bring entertainment, connection and joy to their own community.

“‘Stars in the Snow’ is a wonderful finale for Cooma Little Theatre’s 70th anniversary year because it is entirely, and proudly, local: written by locals, performed by locals and all about the Snowy Monaro.”

With Saturday’s matinee and evening shows marking the final chance to catch ‘Stars in the Snow’, many locals are returning for a second round which is proof that this unique slice of Snowy Monaro theatre has struck a joyful chord.

If you’re looking for the perfect way to end Cooma Little Theatre’s milestone year, you’ll find it under the stage lights this weekend. And who knows, you may even leave singing about a trout, a trainless train station, oodles of poodles, a poplar sculpture, landmark loos or Nimmitabel’s elephant. Who knows, you may want to join them next time.

Cooma Little Theatre is a welcoming, cosy entertainment centre located on Monaro Avenue, Cooma. This is a show for everyone to enjoy, so even if you’ve never been to the theatre before, come along and join the fun.