Would any tourists come to Christmas Creek for the Christmas season if there was no snow in the forecast? Would the skeptical, jaded big-city journalist find love with a rugged small-town toymaker? Or could the pretty, young third-generation owner of the local bakery woo the big-city businessman interested in turning her shop into a Tim Horton’s?
Those questions and more were answered in the entertaining performance of A Special Christmas Special Christmas, written by Alice Lafausse and put on by the Unity Composite High School drama club Dec. 9 and 10. The play was directed by Kyle Wood, Heather Poitras and Kyra Huber.
All the actors put on great performances, from the flamboyant Mayor Bonhomme played by Hailey-lynn Aldred and her “yes-man,” often confused, assistant portrayed by Claire Moscrip, all the way to Kendall Mutch and Kelsey Grant, townsfolk without specific lines but who decorated and re-decorated the Christmas tree, sang carols and reacted to various scenes on stage.
Hailey Sacher, Cole Ducherer, Jenay Bishop, Ron Cordita, Jade Poitras, Willem Hoogstad, Ara Kendrick, Jax Schurman, Annie Pitura, Mayla Williams and Anna Grace Deck rounded out the excellent cast, playing a variety of roles from local businessowners, grumpy and easily shocked senior citizens, the town sheriff and a surly teenager.
This writer especially enjoyed watching the expressive faces of the cast, whether registering shock, anger, confidence, confusion, petulance or delight at the goings-on in Christmas Creek.
Experienced stage manager Elisha Avena did a great job as always, ably assisted by her running crew of Alexis Timms, Elise Avena, Macyn Weber and Jailyn Reiniger. The capable Naycie Feser-Surine, assisted by Brooke Bartley, had a busy night with many light changes during the performance.
And how were those questions answered? Well, unlike what you might see on the Hallmark channel, the toymaker and baker discovered they didn’t need big-city visitors in order to find love and the professionals from the big city confirmed they really didn’t belong in a small town.
Oh! And alone on the stage, Willem Hoogstad, as hotelier Karl Kringle, delighted the audience with his joyful, ecstatic dance when a little snow began to fall just as the lights were fading and the curtains closing.
