Drama Dock’s production of A Child’s Christmas in Wales

Southcenter, shopping, stress, crowds, full parking lots, picked-over must-have merchandise, long lines, more stress…let us help you escape from all that. Drama Dock’s production of "A Child’s Christmas in Wales" is most definitely NOT ‘all that.’ Escape the rush and hassle of what the holidays have become, without even getting on a ferry. Instead, journey with us to something simpler, filled with innocent wonder. Dylan Thomas’ wonderful storytelling puts you in Wales, in Vashon…reminiscing Christmases past while surrounded by eager young people experiencing it all afresh. We all have stories this time of year, or are in the midst of creating them. Or both, intertwined energetically in a joyous froth of holiday fun.
 
The program starts with The VAA Youth Chorus, including singers from the "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!" cast and the Vashon Island Youth Chorus. Some of the students in the CCW cast are also singing with us. We will be singing "In Winter" (a duet with Alivia Jones and Sarah Hotchkiss), "Hanukah Nagilah", "Minka", "Nutcracker In About 3 Minutes" and "Suo Gan", a Welsh Lullaby.
 
Then some of Vashon’s well-known adult singers are presenting music to recreate the holiday spirit of the time of Dylan Thomas’s wonderful story. They are singing a collection of Celtic and holiday carols, including Holly and the Ivy, Carol from an Irish Cabin, and a sing-along of Auld Lang Syne. The vocal ensemble directed by Elizabeth Nye includes Marita Ericksen, Lizzy Schoen, Judy Olson, Gaye Detzer, Barbara Garrett, Stuart Tribble, John DeGroen, Dick Paulson, and Rick Skillman. Leslie McMichael and Jane Valencia, harpists, will accompany the ensemble and play some Celtic songs.
 
The best gauge of the energy and enthusiasm of this dramatization of "A Child’s Christmas in Wales" comes from the cast itself: "it’s Christmasy!...pretty silly and I like that!" from our youngest actor. From a more chronologically gifted cast member: "…what a delight it is to be adrift in the mellifluous language of Dylan Thomas, savoring memories…" From some more youthful actors: "It is a lovely piece for Christmas; it sums up the entire feel of the season. Also, I get to blow up balloons on stage…" "I’m in a cast of professional (well, not really, but they sure act like it) actors. However, we still always have tons of fun together at rehearsals. I think that this is going to be a marvelous show!" "The show is essentially a rag-rug of memories braided together, creating one Christmas, one family…" More: "a play that is so much about generations sharing together: memories of Christmas; adventurous, vibrant stories told among loving family members in a locale not unlike our own. And the language, the Dylan Thomas poetry is such a treat to speak." "There’s real heart in these particular scenes of the season, which bring us into the best shared memories of childhood."
 
Your chance to see this wonderful, heartwarming Christmas show comes December 20, 21, 23, and 16 at 7:30 pm and the 22nd and 24th at 2 pm at the Blue Heron. Tickets are $10 for VAA/Drama Dock members/students/seniors and $15 for general admission, available at Heron’s Nest, VAA and VashonAlliedArts.org.