OFC Creations is bringing a brand new musical comedy, Wrapping Around the Christmas Tree, to the Lyric Theatre Main Stage from December 20 to 22.
Wrapping Around the Christmas Tree pokes fun at the holiday season with parody Christmas tunes, original songs, and some old fashioned favorites. The story follows frugal folks at Northview Shopping Center wrapping presents, singing songs, and harkening holiday high jinks. But this year, there are two groups that want to open up a present wrapping station: Cresthill Middle School, and the kooky ladies at Cozy Times Senior Community. The ribbons unravel as the brainiacs take on the spunky grandmas in a wrap-off, all alongside the antics of a helicopter mom, a zany mall cop, and Saint Nicholas himself.
Originally conceived and directed by Eric Vaughn Johnson, the show is loosely based on real life events with a message of acceptance, love, and different generations coming together to work as one. Johnson enlisted longtime OFC performer and collaborator, Charlie Harrington, to write the script and lyrics.
The cast features well-known Rochester performers as well as many OFC students. Leading the show as the Cozy Times Seniors are Diane Chevron as Ida, Marge Mattioli as Bertha, and Sarah Reynolds as Edna. The competing middle schoolers are Marco DeAscentiis as Grant, Rachel Stoner as Penny, and Will Belecz as Lucas. Rounding out the cast is Dresden Engle as Darcy the stage mom, Peter Elliott as Santa Claus, Zoe Vidmar as Susannah the elf, Nicolas Samper as Tom the Mall Cop, and Nancy Meister, Donna Carpino, Hunter Ekberg, Allison Snarr, Blakely Odden, Silvia Labrosa Witmer, and Kassie Robinson in the ensemble.
“We had been searching for the perfect holiday show for Rochester audiences and realized we needed to write it ourselves,” said Johnson, OFC Executive Director. “The hope is that this show does not only bring families and generations together on stage, but in the audience as well. The show will bring smiles as grandparents, parents, and children attend together.”
Wrapping Around the Christmas Tree features many iconic Rochester references including Tony Infantino and Patrick Rivers from Warm 101.3, connections to Rochester Institute of Technology, collaborations with McQuaid’s Robotics Team, and several present-day news stories.
OFC Creations has also partnered with the Children’s Institute, a national not-for-profit organization, based in Rochester, that works to strengthen children’s social and emotional health. Through sound research and evaluation, the organization develops and promotes effective prevention and early intervention programs, materials, and best practices for children, families, schools, and communities.
Through partnership, Children’s Institute will receive donations from ticket sales and at each performance of Wrapping Around the Christmas Tree to continue strengthening families in the community.
Performances will be at the Lyric Theatre Main Stage, 440 East Avenue, Rochester, on Friday, December 20, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, December 21, at 2 p.m.; Saturday, December 21, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, December 22, at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available online at www.OFCCreations.com, by calling 667-0954, or at the door.
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