Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Christmas With The Stars
Young Actors Guild celebrates alumni and the season
Fort Smith’s Young Actors Guild will celebrate both the holiday season as well as the group’s own alumni at the upcoming fundraiser “A Classically Classical Christmas” on Dec. 22 and 23.
“This is our fifth year doing this show,” says Missy Gipson, executive director of YAG. “It’s ridiculously campy and over the top. This year will feature Elf on the Shelf, Santa Claus, the Wise Men — everything classically classic Christmas. There will be a bunch of music, and we sing and dance. It’s a really good show.”
Gipson says the show this year was written by Hunter Doohan, a former YAG student, now a screenwriter living in Los Angeles.
“He’s had a lot of recent success,” says Gipson. “One of his shows just got picked up by Lifetime! He’s doing great in Los Angeles. He’s a great writer, especially with comedy.”
Joining Doohan in this effort are about 20 other alumni from the children’s theater arts organization who will perform in the show.
“We have a Broadway performer, a television writer, regional actors, librarians, pharmacists, college students — all coming together during a busy time to give back to the Young Actors Guild,” says Gipson.
Gipson says the event, held at the New Theatre in downtown Fort Smith, is a good opportunity for the general public to see the renovations that have been taking place inside the historic theater.
“One of the ‘Unexpected’ murals is painted inside the theater,” says Gipson. “It’s a nice glimpse, to be able to get to see that.”
Gipson recommends that parents limit the show’s audience to those children 12 and older.
“It’s probably more for the older kids, a fun night out for teens and adults,” she says. “These people can really sing and dance — it’s a really good show. And at the right ticket price — five bucks! There’s so much good and fun during the holidays, but it’s a nice thing to kind of get away and do something fun for yourself.”