PRESS RELEASE: Cast Selected for Rantoul Theatre Group’s “The Christmas Toyshop” Director Amy Bock and Co-Director Director Nita Schneider have chosen the cast for the upcoming Rantoul Theatre Group’s Winter 2013 production of Michele L. Vacca’s “The Christmas Toyshop.” Cast members come from Rantoul, Gifford, Paxton, Champaign, and Urbana. Starring as Nicholas S. Claus (Santa) is Mark Jewel. Antonio Waters is Santa’s Chief Elf, “Nix.” Tuscany Vandergriff and Simon Walker portray two orphans, Jennifer and Michael. Jack Bice is the good hearted local town official who believes in Christmas. Snooty citizens Hildegarde Willington, Mr. Wellington, and their bratty children, Wilbur and Wilhelmina, are played by Catherine Scudder, Al Johnston, Seth and McKenna Sprandel, respectively. Rounding out the cast of 43 actors are the live “toys:” Rachel Johnston, Mary Goodhart, Kennedy Carico, Cody Powers, Hannah Rhoads, and Evan Bock. Marionette Dancers are Sabrina Bunting, Darian Bock, Mhinnalyn Bagtas, Amonica Anderson, Rachel Daughtery, and Callie Storm. Music Box Doll Singers are: Thrinagee Bagtas, Catherine Bice, Carolyn Peterson, Colleen Heap, Mary Goodhard, and Dayanna Crider. Santa’s live Toy Bag toys are: Sam Rhoads, Hayleigh Duez, Ashley Bunting, Gerilyn Bagtas, and Cassie Bice. Live toys in the toy box are: Jonas Walker, Raegyn Sprandel, and Hannah Duez. Animated Army Men and Elves are: Jacob Rhoads, Jack Bice, Benney Rhoads, and Dayanna Crider. Sometimes, Santa gets behind in making all his toys for Christmas delivery. This year, he rents a quiet little shop in a small town and with his helper elves begins to catch up making toys for the children of the world. Jennifer and Michael are homeless orphans and have no money to buy each other a Christmas present. Kindly Mr. Claus takes them into his workshop to help out and earn a present for each sibling. Because this is a small town the citizens are curious about the goings on behind the doors of the instantly “new” toyshop. Like all places there are snooty people like the “Wellingtons” who do not believe in Christmas. But, their “hum bug” is counterbalanced by the good nature of Robert Tompkins, a town official, who always wanted to own his own toy shop. Will the town learn that it really “is” Santa Claus who chose their town? And, because toys come to life when grownups are not paying attention, it is the toy itself that decides which person they wish to be with (not the other way around)! This show is suitable for family members and has no objectionable language or themes. Children in attendance (purchasing a ticket) will be entered into the door prize drawing to win one girl’s and one boy’s bicycle. Drawing to be held at the close of the last play. The play will be presented at the Grissom Hall Theatre, 914 Arends Blvd. on the former Chanute Air Force Base on December 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, and 15, 2013. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. The Rantoul Theatre Group has 190 theatre seats and free parking. Call 892-1121 to leave reservations. Log onto rtgonline.org of visit Facebook: Rantoul Theater Group for more information.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 01:34:15 +0000
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