The Christmas season is almost here, and Footlighters Theatre Society is ringing it in with The Magic of Christmas, a variety show celebrating the spirit of the season at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 24, and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 25 at Kootenay River Theatre.
The Magic of Christmas is the first production of the troupe’s 29th season, which continues in the spring with the science fiction spoof Star Trak by Jason Smith and Suzanne Chubb, postponed by the pandemic in 2020.
“This will be a heartwarming and fun event for all ages,” says Footlighters president Brian Lawrence, who has helped organize the production. “It’s a really memorable way to launch a season that will also include one of the most unique shows we’ve ever produced.”
The Christmas variety show includes a set by the ukulele-playing Ukeladies, and solo performances by Kailynn Gill, Nevaeh McKendry and Dan Caverly, as well as group numbers.
One of the plays running in the show is Of Sleeves and Snowmen, an original script written and directed by Dan Goldsmith. Set in an office during the holiday season, it’s sure to spark laughter.
“It’s an oddball play for people with oddball humor — like a Christmas episode of The Office, but weirder,” says the writer-director.
Goldsmith made his Creston stage debut in last spring’s production of the romantic comedy Check, Please, and was excited for the chance to create his own show, which has been a bit of a learning curve.
“I learned it’s much easier to provide direction when you’re not the actual director,” he says with a laugh. “In all seriousness, it’s been very fun to move to a collaborative medium and have a team of actors working together to make this script come to life.”
Lawrence directs the other play, What Could Go Wrong the Night Before Christmas?, a staged reading of the poem ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.
“It’s the poem you know, but with a lot of comical twists, including card-playing mice and the most ridiculous interruptions,” says Lawrence. “Even Santa himself can’t stick to the script.”
The play has been entertaining to rehearse, and Lawrence has also enjoyed working with four newcomers to Footlighters — about half of his cast.
“We’re always excited to add new performers to the mix, and it’s been a lot of fun watching these new and more experienced performers come together to create some Christmas magic,” he says.
Tickets to The Magic of Christmas are available at Fly in the Fibre, Sunshine ’N’ Gelato and crestonauditorium.tickit.ca.
Submitted by Footlighters Theatre Society
