The Marion Palace Theatre will continue a well loved holiday tradition and stage the Palace production of “Christmas at the Palace” for three performances. Show dates are scheduled for November 30 and December 1 at 7:30 p.m. and December 2 at 2:00 p.m. Patrons are encouraged to order tickets early for the best available seating.
This annual production was first conceived in the mind of Ula Watts in 1982 to to bring holiday cheer to young and old alike. Watts presented the community production again in 1984 and 1988. The shows included dozens of community members in a variety of choirs, dance numbers, instrumental ensembles and light-hearted, yet touching, scenes of the season. The local casts played to sold out audiences, and those programs are still reminiscent of wonderful memories in the hearts and minds of many.
When Watts retired, she passed the production to Clare Cooke, her choreographer of 20 years. Cooke took the reigns of Christmas at the Palace directing productions in 1990, 1992, 1994, 2009, 2011 and again this year.
This season’s Palace Production of Christmas at the Palace follows the story line “Across the USA and Home Again” and includes over 300 friends, neighbors and family members.
Santa Claus (Bruce Cudd), Mrs. Claus (Sharon Gale) and the unruly elf Sassy (Julia Vanderhoff) are back again with a bag full of big laughs for audience members of all ages. Patrons will also enjoy tender moments and enchanting holiday numbers as they join Santa’s journey from Coast to Coast and South to North before coming “back home again.”
George Schram will again play maestro in the “Yule Pit” for the holiday production. Instrumental numbers by Marion Concert Band and the Palace Orchestra will fill the auditorium with Christmas favorites. Dance lovers will be delighted by an array of acts featuring students from Diverse Moves, Edye Cook Dance Company, and Martha Douce Dancers. The adult tap lines, “Tap Cats” and “Prominent Men,” will return center stage individually as well as joining their feet together for a fun-loving, square dance style number. Also featured are solo dance acts by Ellie Campbell and Sydney Randall. Show choir performances by Elgin and Harding will also add to the festivities as these young singers and dancers take the stage to perform.
Bringing sounds of the season in vocal numbers are Marion native and Broadway veteran, Ryan J Ratliff, John Garnes, II, Kerry & Isaac Hague, Sydney Anderson, Ann Schertzer, Sara (Wenig) Grote, Janice Howell, Hailee Crowder, Jenni Hughes, Jami Rawlins, First Church of the Nazarene and Celebration Church choirs, the adorable children’s Cherub Choir, the adult Christmas chorus and a cappella groups 4 The Record and NINE.
Rounding out the holiday cheer are First Presbyterian Carillon-Aires bell choir, Act Two Studio students, and Jia Radloff reciting “T’was The Night Before Christmas.”
Tickets prices are $22 & $17 for adults and $12 for children age 12 and younger. Order tickets by phone 740/383-2101 or online at www.marionpalace.org. Sponsored by Ohio Mutual Insurance Company, Marion Community Credit Union, Real Living Generations Realty and Marion Community Foundation Mary H. Hollaway Fund.
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