Family Christmas Theatre at Upper Canada Playhouse

The Playhouse’s new holiday family show, The Christmas Express, is a timely one—for more than one reason. Not only does the story take place at Christmas time, it’s also set in a small rural town during tough economic times.

The little town of Holly has seen better days. The folks at the Holly Train Station where the story unfolds aren’t sure what will come first- Christmas or some official from the city to shut them down! The only business passing through the station these days has been people taking the train out of town, and not coming back. Christmas cheer is no where to be found as the down and out townsfolk struggle to find a way to make ends meet. Even the old Christmas Express hasn’t chugged through the station in years. But in this magical and musical story, the Christmas Season itself may provide the answer to their woes when an unusual visitor drops by out of nowhere.

Playing Leo Tannenbaum, this magical stranger, is Playhouse favourite Doug Tangney last seen in this season’s farce Cash On Delivery. ‘Audiences love Doug,’ remarks Playhouse Artistic Director Donnie Bowes. ‘He always lights up the stage and makes everyone feel good. He’s perfect for this wonderful character who teaches the whole town to look on the bright side.’ The Playhouse also welcomes other familiar talents playing a wide range of colourful Holly townsfolk. Susan Greenfield, recently seen in Perfect Wedding, returns to play local town reporter Penelope Blaisedale who desperately tries to find out who this new visitor is. Linda Goranson, who first appeared at The Playhouse in last year’s holiday show, plays station manager Hilda Trowbridge. Hilda’s Christmas spirit is at an all-time low as she sees the town of Holly getting smaller and sadder by the day. Her attitude will prove to be the hardest to change as Leo tries to turn the town and its people around toward a brighter future. Playing Hilda’s side-kick assistant Satch is Richard Bauer, another Playhouse favourite, whose special brand of comedy always entertains audiences and who recently appeared in Cash On Delivery. To spice up the plot are a recently married couple bursting into the station in the midst of a spat. Playing the quarrelling newly-weds are Liz Gilroy, last seen in Maggie’s Getting Married, playing Donna Fay Cummings and Parris Greaves, from last Season’s Having Hope at Home, playing husband Jerry Cummings. The station is also visited by a Mr. Fairfax, another mysterious gentleman with a briefcase who soon has the townfolk whispering. Playing him is local actor Michael Pearson who has appeared in several past Playhouse holiday shows and is a popular Cornwall actor and singer. Rounding out the cast are townspeople Myrna Hobsnagle, played by Maritime actress and Playhouse newcomer Meredith Zwicker, who directs the Holly choir and Maggie Clooney, played by Chelsea Johnson, who’s the local mail carrier. Also joining the cast is another mysterious visitor to Holly played by Playhouse newcomer Lili Connor. John Thompson designs and Bowes directs.

Will the little town of Holly see better days? Will Leo bring them luck or is he just a vagabond? Will the young couple resolve their differences? Will the Christmas Express ever ride the rails again? A special treat for the audience will be the Holly Choir’s Christmas Concert-a fabulous medley of Carols and Holiday songs performed by the cast, choreographed by Liz Gilroy and accompanied by Meredith Zwicker. ‘Live music is always a wonderful addition to a show and our cast of wonderful singers will bring Christmas joy to the audience as well as the little town of Holly,’ says Bowes.

The Christmas Express runs November 19-December 13 with matinee and evening performances scheduled. $23-$28. Special rate for children 14 & under. Call The Playhouse at 613-543-3713

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