One-act plays to give classic stories a Christmas twist

Ho ho ho! Want some holiday theatre options? Well, hope you’ve been a good person this year!

If so, perhaps you can check out the Thompson United Methodist Church Community Drama Group. They are presenting two one-act plays this weekend — “Christmas with the Little Women” and “Robin Hood” on stage at the church, 6758 Madison Road. Best of all, all familyfriendly performances are presented free of charge!

Shows are 7 p.m. Dec. 8th and 9. Seating is first come, first served and light refreshments will be offered after each performance.

The two stories are both classics — Louisa May Alcott’s famous novel, and the legendary action-packed story of Robin Hood — with a Christmas twist!

“I wanted to be in this play because I was in a play at TUMC Drama group over the summer and it was really fun and inspiring,” says Breanna Toth, an 11-year-old sixth-grader from Riverside School who plays Diana of Doncaster, one of Robin Hood’s band. “I hope people notice that I may be better in acting than last time. Something I’ve learned from being in this play is that there is a difference between villain and outlaw. I really enjoyed being in this play because my family in real life is actually related to King Richard!”

“I have always loved the play ‘Robin Hood’ since I was very young,” says Anna Gates, a home-schooled junior who plays Maid Marian in “Robin Hood.” Anna has previously played Miss Bingley in “Pride and Prejudice” at TUMC Drama group over the summer.

“It is such a fun play with lots of action,” Anna says of her current one-act. “In my last play I played a mean character, while in this play, I play Maid Marian who is ladylike but also strong-willed. Unlike my last character, this one is much harder to portray because I had to find that balance between being tough but at the same time not seeming mean. Another part I loved about the play was sword fighting. It takes skill to fight and talk at the same time, but I enjoy every minute of it.”

“I wanted to be in this play because I love Robin Hood!” says Corey Toth, a 7-year-old first-grader from Riverside. “I’m nervous because this is my first play, but excited because it’s my first play!”

Blayde Buckner plays Robin Hood, a role he has played already— so he should be ready.

“I’ve been Robin Hood before in a previous play, and when I heard TUMC Drama group was doing it for Christmas I really wanted to be a part of it,” Blayde says. “My favorite part of the play so far has been the final sword fight scene or the stick fight scene, I really enjoyed all the fight choreography.”

Jeanette Baker is an eighth grader from Madison School who plays Amy in “Little Women” after having appeared previously in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” and “Voyage of the Dawn Treader.”

“I wanted to be in this play because ‘Little Women’ is very empowering towards women so I knew I would enjoy it,” Jeannette says. “My favorite part of playing this character is I get to be very full of myself and sassy which is always fun to do.”

“I was in ‘A Christmas Carol’ last year and attended Narnia the year before and enjoyed it so much that I chose to try out,” says Heaven Bauer, a homeschooled fifth-grader who plays Angela, one of the Hummel children in “Little Women.”

“I like showing others that I can perform and getting active in the community is fun!” Heaven says. “Something I’ve learned is that you have to speak loudly and clearly, the more you practice, the better you perform! I am both excited and nervous to be in the play! It calms me to be in the church, I feel safe. I get nervous being in front of people but I calm down after a while.”

Sounds like Heaven, and her other young thespian castmates have found one at TUMC. See them this weekend.

Fine Arts Association

You still have two weekends to catch some of our area young thespians — and some more mature ones — at the Fine Arts Association in Willoughby in their production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.”

The production opened Thanksgiving weekend but still runs through Dec. 17. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Individual tickets are $25 per adult,$23 per senior or student 11 years and older, $15 per child 10 and younger — all reserved seating. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 and more are available.

For tickets, call 440-9517500 or reserve online at www.fineartsassociation.org. Reservations are not required, but strongly recommended.

The Fine Arts Association is at 38660 Mentor Ave. in Willoughby. Parking is free, and Corning Auditorium is barrier free.