Review: A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas
Would you like to go back to a simpler time, just for a little while? A time where people communicated face-to-face, with no cell phones or screens in the way? (But wait--don’t turn off your device yet; my blog isn’t finished!) If you would like to enjoy some wholesome, quality, electronic-free entertainment, come see A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas at Blue Springs City Theatre!
Written by Laurie Brooks, this play is based off the little-known history of Laura Ingalls during her life at Burr Oak, Iowa.
Ten-year-old acting veteran Abby Miller, who plays Laura Ingalls in this production, explains, “The show is about the Ingalls family when they moved to Burr Oak, Iowa after losing their farm to grasshoppers and losing their baby, Freddie.” When Laura finds out that a rich woman named Mrs. Starr wants to adopt her, she is horrified. Is she really going to be separated from her family--forever? Miller adds, “My favorite scene is at the end, but I can't tell you [about it]--it's a surprise. You'll have to come see the show!”
When asked why she enjoys working with the cast and crew, Miller explains, “I love working with them because we have all bonded together to be one BIG family.” This is Miller’s eighth show.
A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas is being directed by Nancy Eppert who “is an award winning actress and director…. She serves on the board of the American Association of Community Theatre, as the Region V Representative and an AACT Adjudicator.” Eppert is also “an actress/trainer for the Standardized Patient program at UMKC.”
Nancy Eppert, director, says, "The most special feature is that we have no set or props; just sound effects, pantomime and lighting, and a wonderful choir. I want the audience to feel as if they are at a country Christmas Eve service or sitting around the home piano remembering Christmas stories, singing and enjoying family and friends. We are honored to display quilts from local artists to set the mood. This is a memory play from Laura Ingalls' childhood, as were all of her books, but this story was never added to her tome. You can get information about the play on the Dramatists web site."
The performances are December 6th, 7th, 12th-14th at 7:30 pm, and December 8th and 15th at 2:00 pm. The December 7th show takes place at the Blue Springs High School Performing Art Center. However, the parking lot is still at Blue Springs City Theatre. Also, there is Veteran’s Discount that day; all veterans, whether on active duty or reservists, get 50% off their original ticket price. See BSCT’s website for tickets and additional information: http://www.bluespringscitytheatre.com.
Tickets are $10 per person; $8 for seniors 65+ or children under 13.
Come watch this amazing production of A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas. I guarantee that you’ll love it!
Anny Hiestand, Teen Blogger