Itsy Bitsy Broadway and Muse Theatre Company will conclude its fall 2018 theatrical season with a holiday production that embodies the spirit of the season.
Hitting the Itsy Bitsy stage at 6 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday inside Capital Mall, "The First Christmas" is more oriented to the actual first Christmas story in the Bible, said Kira Rutter, the experimental educational theatre company's founder and director.
"Most of our productions have no religious affiliation to them, however, this particular play we decided to do," she said, noting the production is from Liken The Scriptures. "We are trying to partner the theme of the story with the season of giving."
"The First Christmas" follows a little girl named Amelia, played by Haley Kimlinger, who is excited for what her Christmas presents are going to be. Her mother talks to her about how she and her father are going to share their Christmas with a family in need.
"Amelia is completely aghast that there is even a chance they were not going to have their presents on Christmas morning," Rutter said, also sharing that Amelia's mom explains the family in need may not have Christmas without their help. "In wrapping her mind around that concept, Amelia's mother tells her the story of the first Christmas."
She shares with biblical stories of Mary and Joseph, Elisabeth and Zacharias, and a pair of shepherds named Sharif and Omar.
"Amelia learns the true meaning of Christmas," Rutter added.
In celebrating the spirit of giving, Itsy Bitsy Broadway has partnered with The Pantry, which is a nonprofit organization that provides complete family meals - with all ingredients and recipes - to those in need in Jefferson City and surrounding communities. Instead of regular admission, attendees can bring nonperishable food items to donate to The Pantry.
"The Pantry specifically wants rice, pasta and bags of dried beans for their meals," Rutter said. Without a food donation, normal rates apply, which are $4 for adults and $2 for children. "It has been a lot of fun. We are more focused on the giving side with this production, and everybody is enjoying it."
Rutter said adults are handling the narrator, Zacharias, Elisabeth, Mary and Joseph roles, with local teens filling in roles as shepherds and other key players, and smaller children being part of the angel chorus during certain songs in "The First Christmas." A half-hour prior to "The First Christmas," about 10 young elves will sing their own songs, present dances or showcase other skills during reality TV spoof "North Pole's Got Talent" pre-show in the lobby of Itsy Bitsy Broadway. Prior to the Saturday afternoon production, Itsy Bitsy Broadway, along with additional cast members, will present "North Pole's Got Talent" at 10 a.m. at the Missouri River Regional Library.
Following the holiday season, Muse Theatre Company will present "No Time for Drama! 10 Minute Plays" at 6 p.m. Jan. 26. Rutter said the popularity of this program has grown, seeing more young playwrights submitting original plays with more than eight awaiting the workshop and opportunity to be a part of this showcase. However, Rutter said they hope to select their five to six plays and include the others in the next "No Time for Drama!" showcase later next year.
Soon after, Itsy Bitsy Broadway's spring season begins with plays presented for many different age groups from preschool through early teen. "Jitterbugs" and "Go Dog" will take the stage at 6 p.m. Feb. 22 and 2 p.m. Feb. 23. "Cookie Caper" and "Murder at the Malt Shop" is at 6 p.m. March 22 and 2 p.m. March 23 and "Rockin' Robin Hood" will be at 6 p.m. May 3 and 2 p.m. May 4.
"We are also hosting the Jefferson City homeschool club's play at the beginning of April called 'Dorothy in Wonderland,'" Rutter said. "We also had two pianos donated to us - one from Jamie Water (Nelson) vice president of The Little Theatre and the other from Darrell Hilton. We are looking to get into the recital market for music teachers or smaller dance companies. We want to become a children's performing arts center and with donations like the pianos we can do that."
For more information, contact Rutter at 573-469-2392 or visit musetheatrecompany.com.