Join us for a captivating double-feature event, a pleasant blend of artistry, holiday cheer, and theatrical magic. This enchanting evening will feature dazzling spinning lights, handcrafted sets, and live projection work, creating an immersive atmosphere perfect for the season.
The program begins with a spirited A Christmas Carol special, showcasing the exceptional vocal talents of the Gig Harbor High School choir. Celebrate the festive season in a 50-minute performance brimming with joy and harmony. Prepare to be swept away by the hour-long production of Frozen, brought to life by an ensemble of emerging talents after a brief 20-minute intermission. This reimagined tale, along with the caroling special, will captivate audiences of all ages.
Tia Weniger, the amazing director of both events, saw A Christmas Carol every winter every year before moving to Gig Harbor. “I wanted to bring tradition back into Gig Harbor,” she explained. Weniger recognized that A Christmas Carol had not been staged locally and is passionate about bringing this beautiful piece of classic literature back to life. Set in the 1800s with authentic British accents, this production presents a difficult challenge that our talented students eagerly embrace, showcasing their dedication and artistic growth. Watching them navigate and master the complexities of this timeless story is truly inspiring for her and highlights their willingness to push creative boundaries. Following this, Frozen was chosen as a family-oriented Disney special that highlights sisterhood. This beloved tale captivates audiences with its stunning movement, emotional depth, and beautiful storytelling, making it a perfect complement to the evening’s festivities.
The students had many highlights of the performances and practiced their roles in preparation for this weekend, learning that becoming the character, rather than playing one, can be the difference between a good and a great show. Jake Coons (10), who plays Hans in Frozen, says that, “The hardest part about playing Hans was the flirting aspect that his character portrays throughout the film.” In addition, the complex emotions, details, internal perspectives, and choices are things that these talented students have had the joy of investigating over these long weeks of preparation. Every detail in a show is crucial, something that Mari Schultz (11) has learned as she’s stepped into the role of Elsa and explored the intricacies of her big costume reveal and the endless special effects in her number “Let it Go.” Schultz’s costume is not the only intricate one of the show. Each is made with extreme care by the incredible wardrobe staff, and the incredible clothing is complemented by detailed, creative props. Eleanor Trott (12), who plays the queen of hidden folk, expressed her excitement with hers. “I have vines and fake plants hanging off of me, and I have a leaf headband. But my favorite part about my Bulda costume is this big staff stick thing that’s got like a fake antler on the top. It’s like a wooden stick, and it’s got crystals on it and rocks and leaves, and I get to use that as part of my character, and so it’s really fun and just brings the whole thing to life.”
When it comes to A Christmas Carol, the actors and actresses have had much more room for interpretation of the characters, an experience that has been both enlightening and strengthening. Firstly, as director Tia Weniger explained, the time period itself makes it very hard for the students to identify with the characters. She expressed that the hardest part of crafting the show has been understanding the context. Trott, who plays the ghost of Christmas past, explained, “When I first started reading her, I read her as more confrontational with Scrooge about his past and whatnot.” She reflected on her experience as she took the character from one based around one line that could potentially be interpreted as vengeful to one that she believes better reflects the intentions of Charles Dickens. “She’s gone from more of a confrontational character to more of a gentle character. She’s subtle in her ways of getting Scrooge to realize his own faults.” Nex Noland (12), who plays the lead stingy old man, Ebenezer Scrooge, said that both his favorite part and the most difficult aspect of playing Scrooge was the character work. “It’s a difficult character to figure out, and it’s been a lot of fun to try and crack him. I’ve gotten better with long-term shifts and character’s internal perspectives and personal values.” Each actor’s choice makes a difference in the show as they learn to understand their character intimately and add their own touch to each line.
We look forward to having this amazing performance in our city. Don’t miss this extraordinary celebration of creativity, music, and holiday spirit. Your presence will make the evening all the more magical!
You can purchase tickets in advance using this link: https://www.purplepass.com/events/303122-a-christmas-carol–frozen-jr.-(4070)-dec-12th-2024