Christmas is just around the corner -- at least at Valley Center Playhouse, where it is giving the season an early start with "The Rented Christmas," opening Friday.

The story follows the experiences of wealthy bachelor John Dale, who doesn't want to spend another Christmas alone in his large home.

This year he decides to rent a Christmas, complete with wife, children and all the decorations. When a troupe of actors, set to play his family, falls through, the single rental shop owner becomes the wife, and five orphans make his family complete -- at least for the holidays.

"The bachelor is really touched by these kids," said Bill Brown, director of the play. "He lived in a big house with all the wealth and trappings of the world, but was missing the ingredient of family and what family really means."

The importance of family remains a strong theme throughout the play, as well as the message of reaching out to those less fortunate.

"The theme of the play is respect of people and children that are less fortunate," Brown said.

The Valley Center Playhouse doesn't usually start its Christmas season in November, but Jody Renstrom, the theater's owner, said the themes of the play are appropriate for the month of Thanksgiving.

"We decided that it is a festive time of year in November," Renstrom said. "And Thanksgiving is the month to be thankful for what you have. ... This play makes you really appreciate what you have in life."

With a little romance, and a little comedy, the light-hearted drama is appropriate for all ages, and Brown said it is just right for his Utah County audience.

"It's a G-rated show," Brown said. "So it's for everybody."

One of the unique aspects of this show is the large cast of children. Of the 20 actors, only four are adults. Most of the children range in the 10-year-old age group, with the youngest around 5 years old.

"My favorite part is working with the kids," said Jamie Gritton, the actor who plays the lonely bachelor. "They always make the play a lot of fun."

Orem resident Gritton said the child actors make the show very relatable to a young audience.

"It's a good kids show because it's really the kids who bring the whole thing alive," Gritton said.