Staff Report
Gainesville Daily Register
Gainesville —
Butterfield Stage Players officials have recently organized the “Pony Express Players,” a theatrical troupe of young actors who will get the opportunity to showcase their unique talents performing in special theatrical productions.
The latest production by the Pony Express Players is “Believe!” a story of a boy who questions the commercialism of the Christmas season. Auditions for roles are still available.
The story poses the question, “Have we lost the ‘reason for the season’?” Fifteen-year-old Alex Norton is struggling. He's always loved Christmas, but the shine has left his favorite holiday. He sees Christmas as nothing more than an overhyped, greedy, present-grabbing time of year. The story asks, where is the spirit in this season that's supposed to be all about the “Prince of Peace?”
Kids and adults alike have a chance to be part of this story, which features traditional Christmas music written by Faye Couch Reeves and performed by Linda Williams.
Auditions for “Believe!” will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 15-16, at the Butterfield stage. And there is a place for both children and adults. The cast will be made up of 21 children (11 children ages 14-15; four children ages 7, 8 and 9; seven children ages 5 and 6; one four- year-old who does not speak; and nine adults. The characters include 11 members in Alex's family: Alex at age 15 and a younger Alex at age nine; his younger sister; younger brother; and mother and father; pluc Uncle Bill, Aunt Kate, Aunt Brenda, Grandma and Cousin Lily. There are also five adult church members and 10 teenage friends of Alex.
Casting requirements include that all participants will be singing carols.
The Alex character will perform in a trio with his mother and father.
Whoever plays Alex will learn 61 lines; whoever plays his sister will have 26 lines.
Also, seven young children will be playing angels, shepherds and sheep in the church Christmas pageant that takes place within the play.
The show is directed by Sally Starnes, with assist by Sally Page. The play will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14-15.
For more information about auditions, call (940) 665-8152 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
