BY CAITLIN LEIKER
“We Need a Little Christmas: A Holiday Extravaganza” will be brought to the stage by the Hays Community Theatre at their East 8th St. location. Shows will be at 7:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Tickets for the event are $10.
Director Cheryl Glassman describes the production as “a couple of shows within a show.” The story revolves around a gentleman played by Jerrett Leiker.
“The love of his life has passed away, and he is wandering through life without purpose or feeling,” she said. “He is visited by an undercover elf named Jingles, played by Jack Stoecklein. Jingles tries to work his magic to help Jerrett find the goodness in living.”
The two explore various songs and TV scenes from the past as the spirit of Jerrett’s lost love, played by Claire Nickerson, follows his journey.
Other elves arrive and toys come to life throughout the show. Three of the toys discuss their purpose in “A Christmas Tea,” a one-act play written by Robert Neil Porter.
In the spirit of giving this season, Hays Community Theatre asks that attendees bring a canned good or non-perishable food item for local food pantries.
There will also be a bake sale at every production to benefit one of their cast members, Malachi Miller, who is in the pediatric ICU in Omaha, Nebraska.
“We are hoping to help the family with expenses,” Glassman said, “Malachi’s character is still part of the show, as he is mentioned in the script.”
Glassman says the audience will see a mix of comedy, music, and drama in the production.
“We will definitely provide an opportunity for folks to experience Christmas and the holidays in many different ways,” she said. “It has been an interesting last few years. Everyone needs the peace, love and joy that can be found if we seek the true meaning of Christmas.”