BATH-Family Life will present the dramatic musical, "Four Tickets to Christmas," an inspirational, emotionally charged story about one family's difficult journey into reconciliation and forgiveness.
The shows will be performed as dinner theater on Nov. 8-10 at Chautauqua Suites in Mayville. Audiences will enjoy plenty of food and dessert in a unique dinner theater atmosphere. Tickets are $37.50 in advance and include both the dinner and musical. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. nightly, and dinner begins at 6:30. To order tickets, call 800-927-9083 or visit www.fln.org/tickets. Chautauqua Suites is located at 215 W. Lake Road in Mayville.
With music and orchestrations by Mark Hayes, this Broadway-style musical blends ragtime, parlor music, and even a barbershop quartet with a mix of traditional and new Christmas music.
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Family Life will present the dramatic musical, “Four Tickets to Christmas,” on Nov. 8-10 at Chautauqua Suites in Mayville. The shows will be performed as dinner theater. Tickets are $37.50 in advance and include both the dinner and musical. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. nightly, and dinner begins at 6:30.
Submitted photo
Set in December 1905, and written by Deborah Craig-Claar, "Four Tickets to Christmas" unfolds as an out-of-work family of musicians find themselves unexpectedly spending Christmas at their grandparents' farm. From the moment they arrive, it's clear that time has not healed all wounds when the family is forced to deal with a longstanding and overlooked conflict. By Christmas Eve, they've turned the town upside down, and begun to realize the importance of following God's unique call on their lives.
In rehearsals since mid-September, and being presented in five different locations, the traveling show consists of a cast of 20 people and a live, nine-piece orchestra.
"It's quite a challenge to take so many actors, musicians and stage crew on the road - not to mention all the other equipment and show elements that need hauling," said Darren Litz, director of performing arts at Family Life since 2002. "But it's worth it. We're making every attempt to recreate as much of the nostalgia, charm and challenges of 1905 as possible. This show will certainly have a turn-of-the-century flavor."
A music educator for 16 years, Litz previously was the director of the Vocal and Music Theater Studies program at Bradford High School in Pennsylvania. Litz has produced, directed, and choreographed numerous productions for public schools and community organizations in the Bradford area.
He also has served as guest conductor and clinician for music festivals across New York and Pennsylvania.