The Mae Wilson Theatre is getting ready to showcase two special holiday productions in December.
RuBarb Productions and the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre will present the Christmas musical A Gift of the Magi from Dec. 13 to 15, at 8 p.m. each night.
Mandy Higgins, marketing co-ordinator for the centre, told the Times-Herald that tickets can be purchased from the centre's box office or online.
The musical adaptation of O. Henry's classic Christmas short story was written by James DeVita and features original music by Josh Schmidt.
The show features RuBarb Productions veteran actors Evie Koop Sawatzky as Della, Marianne Woods as Ms. O. Henry, and Jeffrey Allan Sawatzky (Evie’s real-life husband) as Della’s husband, Jim.
Maurice Libby, featured in the role of the busker, sings and plays guitar. The RuBarb Players will be caroling both in the foyer and in the stage production. The singers will be accompanied by both viola and cello, and a dessert table, along with wine and hot apple cider, will also be available.
The play, set in New York City in the early 1900s, tells the story of Jim and Della, a young married couple who can scarcely afford to pay the rent for their modest apartment and must find creative ways to buy Christmas gifts for each other.
“It’s just a wonderful story about the simple things in life which are really important,” DeVita said. “We all know that, but I think it is worth reminding ourselves of that again and again. It’s something that gets lost in our busy daily lives. It’s a great theme for a holiday story.”
Later in December, the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre and the Times-Herald will present Aladdin. The show runs from Dec. 27 to 30 with two showings each day: 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. for Dec. 27 to 29, with Dec. 30 showings at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
The centre's website invites audiences to check out "that popular, cheeky, zany, typically-English spectacle of ... music, comedy, overacting and audience participation in this irreverent, off-the-wall-form of holiday fun for the whole family.”
The cast for Aladdin includes Daniel Falk as the title character, Leon Willey as Wishy-Washy, and Brad McDougall as the Widow Twankey; all three performed in last year's Cinderella. Also joining the cast are Stella Salido Porter, playing both Princess Jasmine and the Genie of the Ring, Kevin Power as the Abanezer and Emperor, and Duff MacDonald as the Vizier.
Tickets for both shows are $25 each for adults, $20 each for students and seniors, and $15 each for children 12 and under. They can be purchased at the Cultural Centre box office at 693-4700 or online at moosejawculture.com.
