Theatre of Gadsden's young actors group debuts Christmas show on Friday
Theatre of Gadsden’s Treehouse Theatre Series, a theater group especially for young actors, is presenting a Christmas show this weekend that makes its Alabama premiere.
“All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" is being performed with permission and consideration of its author, Catherine Bush, the playwright-in-residence at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia.
“In 2017, I directed this show at Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre in Nashville,” said Joy Tilley Perryman, the director for the TOG production. “However, that cast was composed of adults performing for children. (Catherine Bush and I) struck up a friendship, and when Theatre of Gadsden was looking for a children’s holiday show, she graciously allowed us to have the rights to this one.”
The fast-paced show takes audiences behind the scenes at St. Catherine’s Academy, where the second grade is busy preparing for the Christmas Extravaganza. They hope to win the first-place trophy, and the meanest man in town, Mr. Greenbaum, plays an important role.
Perryman said she has enjoyed working with the children in the cast.
“Children are like dry sponges that just absorb everything. I love watching them grow and mature as performers,” she said. “When that lightbulb lights up and you can see that they finally get it, it is an awesome moment.”
Perryman enjoys working with children in theater as they learn that it is a “team sport.”
“We have to work together as a team, including all of our technical and backstage help, to have a winning team,” she said. “Young voices deserve to be heard and seen.”
The takeaway message for this Christmas show is meant for everyone of all ages to enjoy and reflect upon.
“I think that the message of this show is very plainly stated by (character) Lucy Lesprit, when she states, ‘Sometimes the magic of Christmas is being nice to people who are not always very nice to you,’” Perryman said. “There is not one person among us — man, woman, or child — that couldn’t benefit from a few extra smiles, some laughs, and maybe a moment of reflection this holiday season.”
Shows are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday.
Reserved seating is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors/students/military, and $5 for groups of 10 or more. Tickets may be purchased online at www.theatreofgadsden.org.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Theatre of Gadsden's youth group stages Christmas play
