Lori Wilson Honl and Christian Chadwell play two young people who set out to film a ghoulish video but get more than they bargained for when a real ghost appears in a scene from “Simple Salmon.”

“Simple Salmon” has returned. And director Bill Ham is eager for the evening of comedy sketches to resume a regular place on the Clatsop County arts calendar.

“The idea is to bring it back as an annual event, which it was at the River Theater,” he said. The show will be performed at the Ten Fifteen Theater, opening at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The River staged shows at a theater under the Astoria Bridge from 1998 to 2008. Among its leaders were Karen Bain, who has directed two Ten Fifteen shows, and Nancy Montgomery, who has acted with the troupe.

One of The River’s locally appreciated highlights was a comedy evening called “Simple Salmon.” Scripts changed each year, but all were penned by local authors.

The Ten Fifteen Theater revived the tradition last February staging “Simple Salmon: The Respawning.” Ham, a longtime Astoria actor, made his directing debut, delving into archives for the show’s humorous inspiration.

This year, he returns to direct again with “Simple Salmon: Subtitle Undetermined,” aided by a production team that includes Stacey Brown, Markus Brown and Susi Brown.

Appearing on stage are Christian Chadwell, Jacque Denton, Bill Honl, Janice Leber, Marcus Liotta, Slab Slabinski, Nancy Watkins and Lori Wilson Honl.

“We have got a good cast, some who were in ‘Simple Salmon’ from 1999, and then people who have never participated before or are pretty new to the local stage,” Ham said. “That is giving us some new dynamics, which is always thrilling.”

This year’s scenes are written by locals, plus some writers from Portland and Seattle. “It’s sketches — all comedy,” Ham said. “Some of the scenes are practically one-act plays.”

Although Ham won’t divulge too many details, he did mention that Northwest themes will include the Lewis and Clark Expedition and Sasquatch stories.

His invitation for actors to audition contained the wording: “Must be able to handle multiple characters and quick costume changes, and be unafraid to embrace foolishness and/or utter silliness.”

The show is proving a fun community theater debut experience for Chadwell, a sophomore at Astoria High School, whose multiple characters include a teen who plans a spooky video but encounters a real ghost. “I am enjoying it,” Chadwell said. “I like being on stage and getting to know the other cast members.”

The show begins a 2023 season of multiple plays as the Odd Fellows Building, which houses the storefront theater, marks its centennial. Season ticket options are offered online.

The theater’s health and safety policy encourages audience members to wear masks. Danyelle Tinker, Ten Fifteen’s executive director, said people who experience symptoms of ill health are invited to contact the theater to exchange tickets for later dates. A champagne reception, free to all Friday ticket holders, will be held immediately after the opening night performance.

‘Simple Salmon: Subtitle Undetermined’

Ten Fifteen Theater, 1015 Commercial St., Astoria

7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Additional performances on Jan. 26 to 28; Admission is $15

www.thetenfifteentheater.com