Raelee Erland, left, is a magical talking fish, and Natasha Beals plays the Fisher Girl in the Ilwaco comedy.

The prognosis for an easy explanation of the Peninsula Players’ next show is grim.

“The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon” blends 209 fairytales featuring cursed frog princes, a talking fish and wicked stepsisters, interrupts them with commercials, and concludes with a reverse recap of all that’s happened.

The comedy opens Friday and runs three weekends at the River City Playhouse in Ilwaco.

The script features scenes from familiar stories like “Hansel and Gretel,” “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Snow White,” although some take unexpected turns. “They were a little dark when originally written,” said the director, Ed Ahlers.

The script calls for new fairytales among the classics, including “The Devil’s Grandmother” and “The Girl Without Hands.”

Ann Erickson and Kevin Perry appear as narrators with contrasting personalities who guide the mayhem, breaking the “fourth wall” to speak directly to the audience. “They set the pace and keep the show rolling,” said Ahlers.

Erickson, who has a background in ballet and as a singer, is enjoying her participation. She sang in the troupe’s March production of the musical comedy, “Nunsense.”

“It’s been a gas,” Erickson said. “The show is hilarious and it is a good group to work with.”

Don Zolidis, a former middle school teacher who wrote the play in 2007, suggested that it could be performed by a minimum of five actors. “This play is designed to be as flexible and as quick as possible,” he wrote.

Ehlers has shared the roles among 15. Most play multiple characters; Natasha Beals portrays four.

Sydney Weston is Rapunzel and her prince is played by Adam Garrison. Raelee Erland is Cinderella, Amber Brown is Snow White and Aric Weston is Rumpelstiltskin.

Bob Goldberg is a frog prince, Pamela Klifar is an enchantress, Ken Tobias is an actor, Denise Cox is a crab person and Tracy Roach plays the Queen. Tucker and Hadley Darr appear as Hansel and Gretel.

“It’s comedy. And I like comedy!” said Ahlers. “I have always felt that drama is easy. It only takes one person to be dramatic. Comedy is hard. It needs the whole cast.”

‘The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon’

From the Peninsula Players at River City Playhouse, 127 Lake St., Ilwaco

7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15 to 16, Nov. 22 to 23; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17 and Nov. 24.

Tickets are $20 from Okie’s Thriftway in Ocean Park, BOLD Coffee, Art and Framing in Long Beach, Olde Towne Trading Post in Ilwaco and at the door.