A beloved seasonal story is making it鈥檚 Canadian debut right here in 91原创; The Man Who Saved Christmas is coming to Theatre in the Country (TITC).
Running from Nov. 28 until Dec. 14, the musical set in 1917 as America gets embroiled in the First World War and is loosely based on the true story of A.C. Gilbert, the inventor of The Erector Set.
The old-fashioned style story focuses on Gilbert鈥檚 battle with the U.S. government as it attempts to ban toy sales during the holiday season.
Famous for the 2002 film version starring Seinfeld鈥檚 Jason Alexander, it was adapted into a musical by Ron Lytle in 2006, which was performed throughout the United States on different professional and amateur levels.
TITC artistic director Reg Parks said after the previously planned productions of Elf and It鈥檚 a Wonderful Life fell through, the discovery of this original production turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
鈥淲e were sent a sample pack and saw that it was a new and unique story that hadn鈥檛 been done before,鈥� Parks explained. 鈥淭his will actually be the Canadian premiere and we鈥檙e in direct contact with the author Ron Lytle who helped us with professional backing tracks, which was neat.鈥�
Rachel Sterns directs the whopping cast of 24, who will all be storming the decked-out stage in period costumes and belting out professionally choreographed tunes.
Adrianne Klager, a 14-year-old Walnut Grove resident, plays one of the leading roles in the production; despite having to sing and participate in dance numbers, she said her biggest challenge was to play a 10-year-old character.
鈥淚 play Ellen, who鈥檚 10. I鈥檓 already tall, so I had that working against me,鈥� Klager admitted. 鈥淏ut her mom has died and she has to go live with her aunt and uncle 鈥� it鈥檚 a great Christmas story that鈥檚 heartfelt and funny.鈥�
Klager previously made her stage debut with TITC last season of the Christmas production of Two From Gallolie.
鈥淚鈥檝e only done Christmas shows because it鈥檚 the only time of the year that I could do it because of school,鈥� Klager explained. 鈥淚 like doing community shows 鈥� they鈥檙e not super hard and a lot of fun.鈥�
Some of songs include 鈥淲e鈥檝e Got A Lot to Do,鈥� 鈥淎ll I Want for Christmas,鈥� 鈥淲hat鈥檚 Wrong With the Grown-ups?,鈥� 鈥淵ou and Me,鈥� and 鈥淎 Very Merry Christmas After All.鈥�
鈥淭he show is interesting because it is based on a true story,鈥� Parks explained, 鈥淎.C. Gilbert had at one time the biggest toy company in the world and really did make this big speech to the U.S. government.鈥�
Despite a history steeped in consumerism and merchandise, Parks said it鈥檚 an absolute feel-good tale, perfect for audiences looking for some warm entertainment this winter.
鈥淚t embodies a great spirit of Christmas and has a simple message 鈥� love, peace, and caring for your neighbour,鈥� Parks added. 鈥淧lus, it also has some nice turns and the idea of children pointing out what鈥檚 wrong with adults.鈥�
The Man Who Saved Christmas will conclude the 2019 season for the theatre company.
The 2020 season will be TITC鈥檚 eighth overall and third in 91原创. TITC spent its first five in Maple Ridge before moving to 5708 Glover Rd.
TITC rents out their space from 91原创 Vineyard Church, who completed some renovations to freshen up the theatre space with a complete paint, flooring, and fixture upgrade of the lobby and bathrooms earlier this fall.
TITC is of course a dinner theatre, meaning an option to dine in while viewing the show will be once again be offered.
Over the Top Catering supplies the food which include roast beef, salads, veggies, mashed potatoes, and homemade squares, tarts, and brownies for dessert.
For tickets and to see the full schedule, people can visit .
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Email: ryan.uytdewilligen@langleyadvancetimes.com
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