Interview with Brandon and Garrett from "Elf the Musical, Jr."

   On Friday the show Elf the Musical, Jr. takes the stage for one weekend only at Huntington High School - and we have some more interviews with the cast to share!

   We have two interviews to share this time around - so let's hear from Brandon Mansfield and Garrett Spelock:

Q: What is Elf the Musical, Jr. about?

Garrett: It is all about an elf who was human who finds his human family.

Brandon: I think it is really about the importance of family.

Q: What part do you play?

Brandon: I play Walter Hobbs, Buddy the Elf’s dad.

Garrett: I play three parts: a kid in the background in New York, a kid who chases a girl near Tavern on the Green, and an elf at the North Pole.

Q: Why did you want to be part of this show?

Garrett: Because I like the movie and I thought it would be fun to actually be in the play.

Brandon: I enjoy spending time with my theatre friends and making new friends during shows.

Q: Does the show put you in the holiday spirit?

Brandon: Yes!

Garrett: Yes!

Q: What’s your favorite scene or song?

Garrett: My favorite song is “Sparkle, Jolly, Twinkle, Jingly” because it is just so fun.

Brandon: The song called “The Story of Buddy the Elf” is my favorite because it’s fun that it tells the entire plot in a single song.

Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?

Brandon: It’s very funny and cute.

Garrett: Because it really gets you in the holiday spirit.

Q: Thanks, Brandon and Garrett!

Elf the Musical, Jr., based on the film starring Will Ferrell, will be presented at Huntington High School at 1 Highlander Way on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m.  Tickets are available at the door and are $12 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under and senior citizens. 

Interview with Shannon from "Elf the Musical, Jr."

   This Friday the show Elf the Musical, Jr. takes the stage for one weekend only at Huntington High School - and we have some interviews with the cast to share!

   Up first, let's hear from the wonderfully talented Shannon Rawlinson:

Q: What is Elf the Musical, Jr. all about?

Shannon: It is about a human named Buddy who grows up with Santa's elves then ventures to New York City to meet his executive father who never knew he existed.

Q: What part do you play?

Shannon: I play Deb, a secretary in the Empire State Building.

Q: Why did you want to be part of this show?

Shannon: Because when you're in a musical you take part in a special little family. It's tons of fun and helps with life skills such as public speaking.

Q: Does the show put you in the holiday spirit?

Shannon: Yes, it definitely does! I haven't stopped singing Christmas songs since I auditioned!

Q: What’s your favorite scene or song?

Shannon: My favorite song / scene is "Happy All The Time." It's a scene with all the youngest kids in the cast and I've watched them work and work to get it to what it is today.

Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?

Shannon: It's a fun, family friendly show that not only gets people in the Christmas spirit, but defines Christmas as a whole.

Q: Thanks, Shannon!

Elf the Musical, Jr., based on the film starring Will Ferrell, will be presented at Huntington High School at 1 Highlander Way on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m.  Tickets are available at the door and are $12 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under and senior citizens. 

On Stage This Weekend: "Elf the Musical, Jr."

    Taking the stage this weekend is a great show to get you in the holiday spirit: Elf the Musical, Jr!

   The story of Buddy the Elf is based on the classic Will Ferrell movie and is being presented by First Stage Theatre.

   It will take the stage at Huntington High School at 1 Highlander Way on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m.

   Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under and senior citizens. 

   It's loaded with laughs and great songs - don't miss it!

On Stage in December: "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

   Today's Herald-Dispatch included a recap of the shows coming up from the Marshall Artists Series in the months ahead, including next week's holiday special!

   The cherished animated TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas comes to life onstage at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5. The faithful stage adaptation features favorite characters including Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the entire Peanuts gang. The Emmy- and Peabody award-winning story by Charles M. Schultz has warmed the hearts of millions since it first aired on television more than 50 years ago. Tickets are $68.40, $54.21 and $43.30.

    You can read the entire article right here.

On Stage This Weekend: "Mary: A Rock Opera"

   Nobody stages shows during a holiday weekend, right?

   Wrong-o! The Contemporary Youth Arts Company is bringing back its holiday classic this weekend!

   Mary: A Rock Opera is an original musical about the mother of Jesus, created by Mark Scarpelli and Dan Kehde, and it's being presented by the Contemporary Youth Arts Company (CYAC) on Nov. 24, 25, 30 and Dec. 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. It's being presented at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater at 123 Summers Street in Charleston. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens and are available at the door.

   So have a Happy Thanksgiving and then see the only show around! (Which also happens to be a holiday classic!)

On Stage This Weekend - "Christmas Carol" and "Lion King"

    There are two great shows taking the stage this weekend in Huntington! Here's the rundown:

- A Christmas Carol - Marshall University presents the holiday classic by Charles Dickens on Friday, Nov. 17 and Saturday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for faculty and senior citizens, $7 for children ages 5 to 12, and free to Marshall students with ID. 

- Disney's Lion King, Jr. - Grace Christian School presents the musical based on the classic Disney animated film on Friday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Huntington City Hall in the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorum at 800 5th Avenue. Tickets are $12 for students and $15 for adults. 

   So go see a show!

On Stage Now: "A Christmas Carol"

   Marshall University continues its holiday tradition this week with a tremendous production of A Christmas Carol (complete with an amazing set on a massive turntable), and my pal Dave Lavender wrote an excellent story about the production for the Herald-Dispatch, which you can read at this link.

   Here's an excerpt:

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   At Marshall University, there's grand old traditions, and then there's some grand new traditions.

   Like the resurgence in recent years of playing the John Marshall-era game of quoits on campus, the Marshall University Department of Theatre has formed a new holiday habit of uniting a chorus of students, faculty and community to offer a new Marshall tradition, offering their own twist on "A Christmas Carol," based upon Charles Dickens' 1843-published book.

   Now in its third production, "A Christmas Carol," starring Jack Cirillo as Ebenezer Scrooge, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, Nov. 15-18, along with a school matinee at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 17, at The Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center, 1655 5th Ave., Huntington.

   Single show tickets are $20 for general admission; $15 faculty/senior; $7 children ages 5-12. Tickets are free to full-time Marshall students with valid IDs.

   A professor of performance studies and a longtime professional actor, who first brought "A Christmas Carol" to campus in 2009 and 2010 as a one-man show, Cirillo said the department is presenting the classic as a way to start a new holiday tradition to be loved and enjoyed by both the collegiate community and area residents and to kick off the holiday season.

"A Christmas Carol" Photo Gallery

 

   The Herald-Dispatch has a great Photo Gallery of shots from A Christmas Carol taken by Ryan Fischer - you can see them at this link. The show starts tonight - don't miss it!

   The Marshall University Department of Theatre presents A Christmas Carol, starring Jack Cirillo as Ebenezer Scrooge, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, Nov. 15-18 at The Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center at 1655 5th Avenue in Huntington.

On Stage This Week: A Christmas Carol

   Taking the stage this week is the third year for a holiday tradition, as Marshall University's School of Theatre presents A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, as adapted by Romulus Linney. 

   I saw last year's production and it was amazing, with Jack Cirillo bringing Scrooge to life, supporting by a terrific cast. The set, costuming and special effects were amazing!  

   The play will be presented Wednesday, Nov. 15, Thursday, Nov. 16, Friday, Nov. 17, and Saturday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.  

   The play is an adaptation of the story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from an embittered, ungenerous creature into a giving, caring human being at the hands of three spirits, who, one Christmas Eve, show him what life means.  The richly textured play brings the full spirit of the book, as well as those of Christmases Past, Present and Yet To Come, to life on the stage.   

   Don't miss it!

On Stage This Weekend: Flat Stanley, Jr.

   There's just one show taking the stage on this quiet weekend in November.

   The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley, Jr.,  based on the beloved children's book, is presented by Jenny Wiley Theatre on Friday  Nov. 10 and Saturday, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Jenny Wiley Theatre at 218 Second Street in Pikeville, Ky.

    Enjoy!

Cerveris to Perform in Holiday Concert

   A Tony Award-winning performer - and native son - will be performing in Huntington next month to usher in the holiday in style.

    My pal Dave Lavender files this excellent story about the concert in the Herald-Dispatch - here's an excerpt:

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   Everyone sings I'll be home for Christmas but not everybody can make it.

   This Christmas, though, two-time Tony Award-winner Michael Cerveris can sing it for real as the Huntington native is rolling back to the Jewel City as a guest performer for the Huntington Symphony Orchestra's holiday concert that is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at the historic Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.

    The concert will feature the 55-member-strong HSO under the direction of maestro Kimo Furumoto as well as the 60-member choir, the Young Voices of St. Joseph Catholic School that is directed the Lara Donahoe.

   Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the performance is at 7:30 p.m.

   Tickets are $15 for open seating in the balcony, and $40 and $45 for the main floor and loge (front of the balcony) seating.

   Get tickets by calling 304-781-8343 or go online at www.huntingtonsymphony.org or stop by the office at 763 Third Avenue in Huntington.

   Called "the most versatile leading man on Broadway" by Playbill, Cerveris won his first Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for playing John Wilkes Booth in Stephen Sondheim's Assassins. He won his second Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for Fun Home in 2015 as Bruce Bechdel.

On Stage Next Week: "Disney's The Lion King, Jr."

   Grace Christian School in Huntington is presenting Disney's Lion King, Jr. next week.

    The musical based on the classic Disney animated film will be presented Friday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Huntington City Hall in the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorum at 800 5th Avenue.

   Tickets are $12 for students and $15 for adults. They can be purchased at the door. A meet and greet with the cast will follow the performance!

Meet and Greet with Buddy the Elf

   It's never too soon to get into the holiday spirit!

   As part of its promotion of the upcoming show Elf the Musical, Jr., First Stage Theatre is holding a meet and greet (with cookies and cocoa) with the cast of the show, including Buddy the Elf - and Santa!

   It'll be held on Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the New Baptist Church at 28th Street and 5th Avenue in Huntington.

On Stage in November

    The community theatre stage tends to pause a bit in November, getting ready for the holiday rush - but there are four shows to tide you over.

   Here’s the rundown: 

- A Christmas Carol - Marshall University presents the holiday classic by Charles Dickens on Nov. 15, 16, 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for faculty and senior citizens, $7 for children ages 5 to 12, and free to Marshall students with ID. 

- The Addams Family - The Charleston Light Opera Guild in collaboration with the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences will present the musical based on the beloved TV show on Nov. 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. at the Maier Foundation Performance Hall at the Clay Center. Tickets are $25.

- Mary: A Rock Opera - Contemporary Youth Arts Company (CYAC) presents the original musical about the mother of Jesus, created by Mark Scarpelli and Dan Kehde, on Nov. 24, 25, 30 and Dec. 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. It's being presented at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater at 123 Summers Street in Charleston. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens and are available at the door.

- The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley, Jr. - Jenny Wiley Theatre presents the musical on Nov. 3, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 5 at 3 p.m. at the Jenny Wiley Theatre at 218 Second Street in Pikeville, Ky. 

   So get out there and see a show!