Cindy-Lou Who knew what to do. She confronted the Grinch when the nasty creature disguised as Santa Claus stole her Christmas gifts, her tree, her stocking and the family’s feast of roast beast. But the Grinch was clever and made up a tale; he didn’t know that his plans would fail.
You can see the Grinch in action this weekend when you watch the sixth annual Christmas Radio Play presented by K of C Productions. How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a classic story by Dr. Seuss. The story is presented as a 1940s style radio play with the cast in costume so as to act in character when they read their parts into the microphone. Just as if you’re sitting at home listening to a voice on the radio, you can laugh and clap as much as you like.
The presentation opens with the Choralations Children’s Choir conducted by Janice Brunson – guaranteed to put the Grinch into a bad mood and the audience into a really great mood. There will be a few commercials – the actors like to thank their sponsors over the air waves. These include: Swish, Gibsons Building Supplies, Quality Farms and Wakefield Jewellers.
Mary Kenny plays the part of a lively character from Whoville, while Sheila Tsuji is the thoughtful one. Gambel Guignard is the Who boy, while Garity Guignard is young Cindy-Lou (who is not more than two). Stephen Archibald is cast (or typecast) in the star role of the Grinch which he performs with devilish charm. Richard Austin Borthwick is the narrator and Micheal Oswald provides sound effects, a vital part of radio plays. David Short is director, fresh from his directing role in Three Men in a Boat.
All was well in Whoville until Christmas time. The Grinch who lived atop Mount Crumpit hated the noise of singing – he hated all noise, even joyful ones. Maybe his heart was indeed two sizes too small. That’s when the Grinch got “a wonderful, awful idea” and embarked on his Whoville robbery. To his surprise, his plot did not stop Christmas from coming or even stop the Whos from singing!
You probably know the rest, but if not, you can hear it this Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons, at 7 p.m. and again Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15; children and seniors $10, and are available at Laedeli in Sunnycrest Mall, The Blackberry Shop in Gibsons or on line at Eventbrite.ca
