By Wendy Carson

Director Nicole Amsler and Carmel Community Players approach the Holiday season by giving audiences the gift of joy with their hilariously quirky offering, “Four Weddings and an Elvis,” by Nancy Frick.

Centering around Sandy (Veronique Duprey) and her Las Vegas wedding chapel, we are privy to four incredibly diverse sets of nuptials. Sandy herself is on Marriage No. 4 to the same man, Ken, who is never seen but is always present.

Beginning with Bev (Audrey Duprey) and Stan (Mark Livingston), who have flown out from the East Coast to marry each other as vengeance against their exes – who also plan to marry each other. They chose to have their wedding live-streamed to the exes and with Ken, Sandy’s usual minister, being passed out drunk, opt to use a nearby chapel’s minister, John (Joshua Payne-Elliot).

Sandy then hires Lou (David Dessauer) to be the new minister, but his age keeps her questioning if he can really pass for Elvis. They are to officiate the low key, high publicity, marriage of fading stars Vanessa Wells (Amanda Falcone) and Bryce Cannon (James Kenjorski) – both desperate to get their careers back on track. Sadly, the press and paparazzi decline their invitations.

We then meet Marvin (Jacob Bradford) and Fiona (Kelly Melcho), an extremely unlikely pair. He, an expert in everything regarding the Post Office, will wed her, an ex-con with a wild and colorful past. Their bliss is briefly interrupted by the arrival of her past boyfriend, Fist (Gregory Roberts), who broke out of prison to get his girl back. Hilarity – and a police standoff – ensues.

About a year later, we return to the chapel for the final wedding. It seems Sandy is ready to take the plunge for a fifth time, and all the previous characters return to celebrate with her.

Veronique Duprey maintains her charm throughout with the air of a Sin City sister who has seen it all, while the others indulge in all manner of silliness. However, these hopeful romantics indulge in these events without cynicism – each character, in their own way, wants love.

Amsler is assisted by Grant Bowen; Samantha Kelly is stage manager.

Will Sandy make it down the aisle? Will we finally meet Ken? How are the others’ relationships working out? And finally, who is the uncredited “Elvis”?

These questions and many more are answered by attending “4 Weddings and an Elvis,” Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 20-23, at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way in downtown Carmel. For tickets and info, see carmelplayers.org.