New-to-town director Mahara Sinclaire is bringing a close-to-home Christmas play to the Firehall Theatre stage, set in 1949 but written to adapt to the local region.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
Firehall Theatre is making a bold return with its upcoming show, Christmas on the Air.
The show’s director Mahara Sinclaire is new on the scene in Medicine Hat, having only moved here in the last year. Sinclaire has a long history of work in theatre and is excited to be taking on this holiday show as her debut here in southern Alberta.
“When I was offered this position as the director. I was really thrilled, because I know the playwright,” said Sinclaire.
Christmas on the Air was penned by a member of her own playwright group, Lucia Frangione. It follows the story of the family owned CKOL Prairie Radio, set right in Medicine Hat itself as they try to put on their first show in front of a live studio audience for the holidays.
“Even though it’s snowing in Cypress, and blowing on the Saskatchewan River, the show must go on,” said Sinclaire. “There’s a lot going on. There’s a snowstorm about to hit, they have to do their radio show as well as these extra skits for the live audience, all while dealing with all of these personal issues that are being brought into the foreground.”
Set in 1949, it promises a strong vintage feel, to the point that Sinclaire has promised a glossary in the program to help audience members keep up with Danny the Kid’s hep-cat slang.
With expert foley work from specialist Carolyn Freeman and musical direction by Helen Snortland, the show promises something for the whole family and a mix of heartwarming moments with a great deal of comedy, said Sinclaire.
With the show about halfway through the rehearsal cycle, Sinclaire has been astonished by the talent of Medicine Hat’s acting pool and is confident the show will be more than ready by the time the curtains open on Nov. 6 at the Medicine Hat College Eresman Theatre.
“We have a live piano. We have Carrie Matis, who is absolutely incredible as the pianist, and so she plays and accompanies a lot of the show,” said Sinclaire. “She has the voice of an angel. And the young man we’ve got playing Danny is 17. It is unbelievable how talented he is.”
Soon the production will be moving into the theatre to start working on their performance stage and Sinclaire couldn’t be more excited to see all of their hard work come to life.
Tickets are on sale at firehalltheatre.ca, and Sinclaire advises for those interested to move quickly as they are selling fast.
