KRIS KRINGLE: THE MUSICAL at Kennedy Center’s Page to Stage Festival, Labor Day 2011, Wrap-Up
Posted on: September 7, 2011
This past Monday afternoon I enjoyed the incredible pleasure of participating in a Staged Reading of a new musical KRIS KRINGLE: THE MUSICAL.
(Santa by Eloise, Dec. 2010)
I got to sing parts in the ensemble, play the elf Elgarita, and play Lodinia, a mother magically embodied in a doll for which I manipulated a beautiful doll that was made into a puppet. What JOY that was. And the cast was loaded with incredibly talented performers from DC and NYC.
The cast got about 20 hours of rehearsal to learn all the parts for 20 songs, develop sketches of characters, stage the reading, and get familiar with the script. The work was fast and furious and we all stayed on our toes. There was a lot of music to learn, but such delightful and joyous music. I loved every second of the experience.
A few of Angelo Natalie’s terrific songs in this musical would make terrific Singable Picture Books, including:
Under the Northern Lights
Green Suede Shoes
Toys are Magic
Kris Kringle
Because the experience was so wonderful, I will celebrate musical and talented people with some info:
Kris Kringle: the Musical
Book by Maria Ciampi (based on the original book by Maria Ciampi):
Book by Peter J. Gil
Music and Lyrics by Angelo Natalie
Preview a few of the songs on Angelo Natalie’s ReverbNation page:
http://www.reverbnation.com/page_object/page_object_favorites/artist_38470#!/artist/artist_songs/792610
The idea for the musical is taken from Maria Ciampi’s book:
Kris Kringle (a Read-Aloud Movie for Kids Young and Old)
by Maria Ciampi
An article about Maria and her book KRIS KRINGLE:
http://whiteplains.lohudblogs.com/2009/12/22/hartsdale-lawyer-promotes-family-reading-with-book-kris-kringle/
Wonderful Production and Performer Talents:
Allyson Harkey (Tammy Toymaker/Ensemble)
Andrew Wassenich (Director)
Ashley Robinson (Sky Apprentice/Earnest Elf)
Bayla Whitten (Tinselle Toymaker/Edwardina Elf)
Brian Sutow (Elmer Elf)
Dan Manning (Mr. Reedy)
Emily Leatha Everson Gleichenhaus (Lodinia/Elgarita Elf/Ensemble)
James Fitzpatrick (Music Director)
Karen Lange (Tiffany Doll #2/Ensemble)
Kate Debelack (Garland Apprentice/Tommy Toymaker)
Katie Iacona (Evelyn Elf)
Lisa Carrier Baker (Mrs. Horn)
Lisa K. Blythe (Stage Manager)
Mary Stout (Mrs. Claus)
Natalie Cutcher (Tiffany Doll #1/Ensemble)
Stanton Nash (Kris)
Steve Beall (Santa)
Vishal Vaidya (Timmy Toymaker/Ensemble)
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Kennedy Center Page to Stage info:
http://www.kennedy-center.org/events/?event=XLPTS
Facebook Page for KRIS KRINGLE, THE MUSICAL:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kris-Kringle-The-Musical/117922684914449#!/pages/Kris-Kringle-The-Musical/117922684914449
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Related Articles
CHRISTMAS
A Collection of Singable Picture Books that celebrate CHRISTMAS!
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2010/11/28/singable-picture-books-for-christmas/
Emily in KRIS KRINGLE: THE MUSICAL @ Kennedy Center Page to Stage Festival (in the Family Theatre)
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/emily-in-kris-kringle-the-musical-kennedy-center-page-to-stage-festival-in-the-family-theatre/
EMILY’S UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/emilys-upcoming-performances/
SONGS ABOUT SANTA
For a post dedicated to Singable Picture Books about Santa (with sing-along track suggestions and YouTubes), click here:
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2010/12/17/may-i-suggest-sing-about-santa/
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I hope this show goes all the way!
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Addendum 12/1/2012
Maria Ciampi, writer of “Kris Kringle the Musical,” let me know that they’ve got a whole bunch of Kringle goodies for sale on Zazzle.com:
Here’s the link:
www.zazzle.com/kriskringleshop
Getting to perform in a staged reading of “Kris Kringle the Musical“ at the Kennedy Center in 2011 was a wonderful experience.
The musical is based on Maria Ciampi’s book:
*
Kris Kringle (a Read-Aloud Movie for Kids Young and Old)
by Maria Ciampi
An article about Maria and her book KRIS KRINGLE:
http://whiteplains.lohudblogs.com/2009/12/22/hartsdale-lawyer-promotes-family-reading-with-book-kris-kringle/
September 7, 2011 at 6:37 pm
Emily,
Thanks so much for the favorable report. It is a tall order learning all that music in such a short amount of time (not to mention the stage direction). Maybe some of that tension translates into excitement when performed.
Anyway, thanks for doing a great job at the reading. Maybe our paths will again.
Ciao,
Angelo Natalie
September 7, 2011 at 7:31 pm
Thank you Angelo! Great to hear from you! Yes, I hope we meet again! Congratulations, Emily