The end of the year has been a busy time for the Fenton Village Players.

The performers put on their own holiday show, It's All about Christmas, earlier this month, and provided some neighborly assistance to the Holly Dickens Festival by performing a small skit about Dickens' life throughout the holiday season.

Matt Bach, of Fenton, played the part of Charles Dickens in the skit What the Dickens about the Dickens family's Christmas celebration. Bach is a long-time member of Fenton Village Players, having performed in dozens of productions.

The group, made up of all different ages, has been performing since 1972 at schools and other venues in the Fenton area. Tickets usually run for less than $15.

The players were happy to provide some entertainment in Holly, however.

"It was very exciting to see so many people come out and brave the cool temperatures to support the area in such a special and unique festival," said Bach.

The festival performance was organized by Tammy Robison, a member of the Fenton Village Players Board of Directors, with member Laura Legant.

"Sharon Thomas, entertainment director for the Holly Dickens Festival, contacted our group back in May asking if we would like to be part of the festival," said Robison. "We happily agreed, as we all love getting dressed up in period attire, and entertaining in any way we can."

Legant is credited with putting together the skit about Dickens' life.

"Our group of over 15 consisted mainly of people involved in our Christmas show, It's All About Christmas," Robison said of the Fenton Village Players' holiday production.   

The Fenton Village Players have a full schedule slated for 2011, including the comedy Over the River and through the Woods, scheduled to begin March 17. The show tells the story of a young man looking to leave his grandparents for his dream job in another state.

Also on the schedule is the Broadway musical Anything Goes, starting June 4.

The group is also set to perform Jeff Daniels' 11th play, Escanaba in Love, in October.

For information about the Fenton Village Players and upcoming activities and performances, visit www.fentonvillageplayers.org.