Main Street Players start the holiday season with two Christmas classics

By Anne Eickstadt

ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO Belvidere Republican
The cast of ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ gather around the Christmas tree to sing.

Editor

In a two-shows-for-the-price-of-one decision, the Main Street Players chose a double-header of family favorite shows to perform for the holiday season. ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ and ‘Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus’ are always fun to watch.

In this tale, Charlie Brown is depressed at how commercialized the Christmas season is and searches for the true meaning of Christmas.

With oversized props to allow both adults and children of all ages to perform as the Peanuts characters, the actors ‘skate’ and prance across the stage in their roles as the ever-lovable kids. Snoopy fans will covet his huge doghouse.

Director Ronn Gordon said, “I love this show. I have always wanted to do a Charlie Brown play, so I am really happy that I got to do ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas.’

“I’ve broken a lot of theater rules, such as having the actors turn their backs to the audience, to make the show more like the cartoon. I remembered the Dolly Madison commercials during the television shows so I wanted to put them in.

“It’s a heart-warming show that really tells the meaning of Christmas. This cast has worked really hard and the show reflects that. I

ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO Belvidere Republican
“Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus,” reads the paper. The girls are excited since, “If it’s in The Sun it must be so,” said Virginia’s father, prompting her now famous letter to the paper.

can’t say anything bad about this show – everyone is doing so well.”

The second show of the evening, ‘Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus,’ is based on a true story.

In 1897, Dr. Philip O’Hanlon, a coroner’s assistant on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, was asked by his then eight-year-old daughter, Virginia O’Hanlon whether Santa Claus really existed. O’Hanlon suggested…

For complete article, pick up the Nov. 15 Belvidere Republican.