With just two weeks before the opening of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”, the rehearsal intensity has kicked up a notch with cast members giving it their all. Show times for the production are 7:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays, December 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th, and 2pm Sundays, December 7th and 14th.
The cast now rehearses their memorized lines without notes, often referred to as off book. “This can be a nervous time for actors and a director alike, but all their hard work pays off with excellent performances. I was so proud for them at their first off-book rehearsal”, director Jennifer Hitchcock said. “It’s obvious how much effort they have put in to learn and remember their lines, their places and movements (known as blocking), and how focused they are while on stage.”
As technical elements such as lighting effects are introduced, the opportunity to work without scripts in hand allows the actors to develop their characters. “This period is the most magical in any rehearsal schedule as the finishing touches to performances come through,” said Alyssa Clavelli, who plays the role of Grace Bradley, whose character takes the lead in putting on a Christmas Pageant at the local Church. “It’s fun watching the kiddos playing a particular role in the play while also playing one of the biblical characters in the Christmas story. I know this show is going to delight audiences.”
To further spread the joy of the season, the Oswego Players have partnered with the USMC Reserve Toys for Tots campaign and are collecting new and unwrapped toys until the last performance on December 14th. The Toys for Tots mission is to deliver hope to children at Christmastime and beyond. “This is a really important initiative,” Hitchcock said. “We are proud to help the program and strongly encourage our patrons to donate. We have a Toys for Tots donation bin located in the lobby of the Marion Brown Theater and we hope to have it filled before the end of the show.”
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc www.concordtheatricals.com
This project is made possible through the CNY Arts Grants for Regional Arts and Cultural Engagement regrant program thanks to a New York State Senate Initiative supported by the NYS Legislature, the Office of the Governor and administered by the New York State Council on the Arts.
For more information and ticket sales please go to https://oswegoplayers.org/ or for phone reservations please call the Box Office at 315-343-5138.
Pictured are cast members of the Oswego Players “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” playing roles within the play as they surround baby Jesus in the manger: (l-r): Averyanna Wilson and Charlie Thompson as Shepherds, Abby Adelman, Helen McDonald and Mallory Gordon as the Three Wise Men, Meg Adelman as Mary, Catelyn Adelman as the Angel Gabriel and Alex Wallace as Joseph.