Footlight Players of Michigan City invite you to stay at the Evergreen Inn in Hopewood Falls, Vermont for their 73rd season’s third production THE HOLIDAY CHANNEL CHRISTMAS MOVIE WONDERTHON written by Don Zolidis. Director Denise Barkow describes this show as a “satire or spoof of the Hallmark Christmas movies in which six (count ‘em, six) cute couples go through the basic pattern of Sad Situation, Meet Cute, Goes Wrong, Grand Gesture, and Happy Ending all at the same time.”
The audience is in for a delightfully engaging stay as two narrators (Amanda Saqui of Valparaiso and Teagin Powers of Chesterton) help move the action along and get the audience actively involved with appropriately timed responses. Evergreen Inn’s host, Holly (Liz Graupner of Chesterton), assisted by her best friend Bridgett (Bobbi Ann Lauritsen of LaPorte), struggles to maintain an upbeat atmosphere while business is slow, and a creepy real estate tycoon Laertes (Bruce Stahl of Michigan City) is looking to bulldoze the inn. Cue the blizzard to set up the completely and incredibly heartwarming Holiday Channel Christmas Movie like you’ve never seen one before. This time, your favorite community actors: Adam Wogomon, Brien Rissman, Jill Thomas, Kaelie Wnebrenner, Kristin Allison, Michael J. Thomas, and Noel Carlson, all from Michigan City; Ed Ryscuck and Jill Ritchie of Chesterton, Josefina Reign of Valparaiso, and Carmen Navarro and Rick Henderson of La Porte provide an extra dose of unexpected holiday-movie originality. Laughter abounds as the couples clash with their cute outdoor activities of throwing snowballs, ice skating, shopping, decorating trees, and sleigh riding.
Production manager and set dresser Joy Davidson along with Assistant Director David Mikolajczyk have recruited a respected and award-winning crew which includes Tony Thomas (set designer), Chris Whybrew (scenic artist), Michael J. Thomas (light designer), and Veronica Thomas (sound designer). Bobbi Ann Lauritsen is costuming this show with Kathy Chase designing the hair and makeup to compliment her fashion sense. The production will be stage managed by Lara West.
Footlight is an 80-seat theatre located at 1705 Franklin Street in Michigan City. There is no longer assigned seating (so arrive early), and reservations are strongly encouraged to ensure you are a part of this cheerful show. Reservations can be made by visiting www.footlightplayers.org or by calling 219-874-4035. THE HOLIDAY CHANNEL CHRISTMAS MOVIE WONDERTHON will be presented on December 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, and 11. Thursday through Saturday shows start at 7:30 P.M. with Sunday matinees at 2 P.M. Ticket prices are $17 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. All tickets on Thursday, December 8 are $12. If you are a donor to our patron program, you may use your complimentary passes for any performance. Don’t deny yourself or your loved ones the opportunity to indulge in the guilty pleasure of enjoying multiple holiday movie storylines all happening at once!
Real Estate Tycoon Laertes (Bruce Stahl) and Evergreen Inn owner Holly (Liz Graupner) faceoff as best friend and voice of reason Bridgett (Bobbi Ann Lauritsen) mediates the rough discussion. (Photo: Lara West)
There is no moment quite as romantic as when the sweetest couple (Adam Wogomon and Carmen Navarro) decide to decorate each other with tinsel instead of the Christmas tree. (Photo: Lara West)