HARRISBURG -- The Southeastern Illinois College Theatre presents a holiday favorite for the whole family -- "A Charlie Brown Christmas" -- Nov. 22 and 23 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 24 at 2 p.m. in the George T. Dennis Visual & Performing Arts Center Theatre.
Just like the popular holiday cartoon, Charlie Brown, played by Jack Gulley of Harrisburg, becomes director of the school Christmas pageant in an attempt to restore the proper holiday spirit.
"As the director of this production I am so happy to bring a timeless classic to the SIC stage," Gareth York, SIC theater instructor and director of the show, said. "The talented students who comprise the cast have captured the essence of Charlie Brown and his friends as they seek the real meaning of the season. This is a time of year for nostalgic remembrances of Christmas past. The cast and I invite everyone to relive your childhood and ring in the holidays with us."
The show by Charles M. Schulz is based on the television special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson with stage Adaptation by Eric Schaeffer by special arrangement with Arthur Whitelaw and Ruby Persson.
Director of the show is Gareth York and technical director for the show is Allan Kimball with music director Cory Garmane. Janet Hart and Gareth York will design costumes, and John Hart of Hart's Music in Harrisburg will provide sound equipment. Kyle Upchurch will be designing the lighting for the show.
In addition, SIC and the SIC Foundation will be hosting a Holiday Paint Party Saturday at 5 p.m. on Nov. 23 before the show. The paint party will be led by SIC art instructor Sara DeNeal. Guests will have the freedom to use the colors of their choice as DeNeal walks everyone through the painting step-by-step. It's simple enough for young painters, but also a nice design for any age. The 9x12 canvas makes a great personalized Christmas present that can be framed.
The paint party is $20 per person, which includes the cost of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and light refreshments. It is recommended that painters bring an apron or old shirt to protect clothing from the acrylic paints. Registration is requested by Nov. 18, as space is limited.
And as always, SIC will also host Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in the Harry L. Crisp Student Center Cafeteria. The cost is $5 per person and includes a pancake breakfast, games, activities and a picture with Santa. Registration is requested by Dec. 2.
Seating for "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is reserved and all tickets are $5. Reservations for the Holiday Paint Party, Breakfast with Santa, and tickets to performances may be purchased by calling (618) 252-5400, ext. 2468 or ext. 2487, or (618) 841-4649 or email boxoffice@sic.edu.
To learn more about the upcoming SIC shows for spring, visit www.sic.edu/theatre.
