SAFYPT: “A Christmas Carol” & More!

12 Jan SAFYPT: “A Christmas Carol” & More!

Telluride’s Sheridan Arts Foundation’ Young People’s Theater begins its 22nd season with the first of  three middle school productions, the holiday classic favorite, “A Christmas Carol.” Hitting the Sheridan Opera House stage on Friday, January 15 and Saturday, January 16, 2021, the play was originally planned for the week before Christmas, but delayed due to Level Red restrictions. (Doors at 5:30 p.m.; Show time is 6 p.m.)

Tickets are $25 for all ages, including lap children, who are no longer free. The Opera House is still operating at only 25% capacity due to state orders so every person must have a paid ticket. Tickets are sold in groups of 2, 3, 4, or 6 pods and must be purchased as a full pod, no individual tickets.

New this season, since tickets are so limited, families can stream the recorded show for a $10 donation per family. The show will be available to stream from home the week after the performances. Tickets on sale at www.sheridanoperahouse.com.

With the support of the Sheridan Arts Foundation, Young People’s Theater Artistic Director Leah Heidenreich made sure the shows –  “A Christmas Carol,” “Singin’ in the Rain” and “Annie” – would go on, directing a cast of actors from grades 6-8 who kept up with rehearsals via Zoom or one-on-one to adhere to changing COVID restrictions.

In a major departure from her normal stand-alone, Middle School production with 25-30 children, Heidenreich simultaneously directed those three full-length musicals with significantly reduced casts in order to more easily abide by county and state COVID-19 restrictions. “Singin’ In The Rain” runs for two nights on Friday, January 29 and Saturday, January 30, with “Annie” on Friday, February 19 and Saturday, February 20, 2021. 

“Creating live theater with kids in the wake of COVID-19 has been a really difficult feat, but because of the tenacity and passion of the children participating, it has been so inspiring to keep the torch lit,” said Heidenreich. “None of those shows are anything less than a spectacle of a musical. Bringing them to life with only 10 children has shown me that when you are working with humans who love the art as deeply and fiercely as YPT’s incredible pool of kids do, there is nothing we can’t take on that won’t result in absolute magic.”

Based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel, in “A Christmas Carol” Ebenezer Scrooge is a prosperous curmudgeon who believes that personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. But when the ghosts of Past, Present and Future visit him on Christmas Eve, he is forced to face his selfish ways and see the true meaning of of the holiday.

Of the musical choice, Heidenreich stated:

“One of my favorite holiday traditions is reading Dickens’ classic story every year. It is so timeless, especially when you are coming to the end of the year, because it so beautifully puts into perspective everything that matters and everything that one should strive to put their energy into. After the storm we called 2020, it was a no-brainer that our community, especially our kids, needed this sort of theater to immerse themselves in to lift their spirits, spark their passions, and find hope in this little piece of normalcy that the world has loved for over 150 years.”

Starring:

Ruby Cieciuch- Tiny Tim/Ensemble
Henry Deppen- Ebenezer Scrooge
Phoenix Ford- Fred/Young Ebenezer/Ensemble
Lori Gleria- Emily/Sally/Ensemble
Ava Moorman- Ghost Of Christmas Present/Ensemble
Gunnar Robinson- Bob Marley/Ensemble
RJ Robinson- Bob Cratchit/Mr. Fezziwig/Ensemble
Eleanor Rosen- Martha Cratchit/Fan/Ghost Of Christmas Yet To Be/Ensemble
Annabelle Starr- Mrs. Cratchit/Mrs. Fezziwig/Ensemble
Bode Starr- Young Ebenezer/Ensemble
Anna Ward- Ghost Of Christmas Past/Ensemble

Heidenreich, in her fourth season as Young People’s Artistic Director, is joined by Dean Rolley on sound design; Tommy Wince on light design; Buff Hooper on set design; and Traci Baize on costume design.

SAF/SOH and Covid:

The Sheridan Arts Foundation values the safety and health of our patrons and staff above all else. Molekule air purifiers and hand sanitizer stations are dispersed throughout the building; temperature checks are performed at the door; masks must be worn at all times including during performances; seats are separated into socially distanced pods and social distancing is strictly enforced.

SAF appreciates the public’s cooperation with these measures and kindly ask for your patience as it navigates these unprecedented times.

For tickets and more information visit www.SheridanOperaHouse.com or call 970-728-6363.