Perhaps you meant to see it last year but didn’t have the chance, or maybe it has become as embossed in your Christmas tradition as opening the doors of a chocolate Advent calendar. Whatever the case, Guys in Disguise returns to Roxy Theatre with what the Edmonton Sun’s Colin MacLean calls "a mirthful and rollicking Christmas treat" this December.

Director Darrin Hagen was inspired to write the play when friend and show stage manager Neon suggested making the inside of an elevator the scene for a comedy. The two were heading down in an especially rough lift from Hagen’s apartment.

Hagen had always wanted to put the contrasting characters of a giant, glittering drag queen and a scrawny straight dude on stage together, and what better than an elevator to do it in. And so the show ascended to fruition.

After its inaugural run in Calgary two years ago, With Bells On was nominated for a Betty, and after last December’s showing in Edmonton was nominated for three Sterlings: Best New Play, Best Costume Design and Best Independent Collective.

Though the show didn’t win in these categories its creator Hagen says he’s still happy that a Christmas piece shovelled in such high accolades, and aims for it to become an annual mainstay.

"Every Christmas people can look forward to seeing this hour-long Christmas themed drag play," he promises. "I’ve rarely seen a show so consistently well received."

"Even my mom loves it," he jests, adding that this proves the storyline and comedy that composes With Bells On transcend the queer genre.

"She’s coming back this year because she had such a good time with her friends last year," he says. "That‘s the ultimate compliment; isn’t it?"

The show began as a 45-minute piece when it debuted in Calgary, but in Edmonton has grown to a full hour of entertainment with even better costume.

"Think the silver chrome Christmas tree you see at the mall," Hagen says of the nominated get-up worn by the character She played by the Amazonian James Hamilton. "And in that [extra] 15 minute space we get to explode the characters."

Though Hagen titles himself ‘a bit of a grinch’ and won’t be buying presents this year, he has put a seasonable size of joyous spirit into this show.

"We’re letting someone else cook Christmas dinner this year," he says, adding that he wishes he would get to stay in his jammies and watch TV all Christmas day.

"It’s really nice to have such a great team together again," he says proudly. "I love it when drag performers actually kind of rise to the next level and become artists."

Hagen hopes to see this show travel to other cities, such as Regina or Winnipeg.

"[The show] doesn’t need me," he says. "Just an elevator and a tall drag queen."