Pulse - HMT presents ‘A Little House Christmas’

The non-profit theatre company will present the play at the Spa Little Theatre Dec. 12 through Dec. 21.

Directing this year's holiday play is Kirk Starczewski who also directed the group’s production of Hans Christian Anderson's "The Snow Queen" last winter.

This year's performance was adapted by DeVita and features stories and characters from Wilder's "Little House in the Big Woods," "Little House on the Prairie" and "On the Banks of Plum Creek."

The story opens eight days before Christmas when Ma and Pa Ingalls have invited family and friends over to their newly constructed house. However, when everyone goes to leave the rising river washes out the bridge to their home and leaves the children wondering if Santa will be able to arrive for Christmas.

"The story has a lot to offer about Christmas in terms of the importance of giving instead of receiving," Starczewski said.

He said the hardest part about creating the play was choosing who would play the Ingalls girls - Laura and Mary.

"A lot of talented people came out for the two roles and it was a tough decision," he said.

Performing the two highly coveted roles are Alison Lehane as Laura and Katie Zwirn as Mary.

Other performances include Katie Ware as Ma Ingalls, Peter Burleigh as Pa Ingalls, Julia Karp as Nellie Olsen, Athena Pagnotti as Mrs. Olsen and Pat Leatham as Mr. Edwards.

In order to get ready for the rigors of a two-week long performance, Starczewski said the group will also be performing scenes from the play at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, Barnes and Nobel and various elementary schools throughout the area.

"It is a great show and we are excited for people to come out and see it," Starczewski said.

HMT was created in 1985 by Jonathan Foster and Susan Miller. It is currently in residence in the Spa Little Theatre in Spa State Park. The group’s goal is to foster the advancement and education of artists, actors, designers and others involved in theatrical arts.

"It is a valuable arts resource," Starczewski said. "From the stage crews to the actors, HMT is at a level that is head and shoulders above what you would normally see in any other small town."

For reservations call HMT at (518) 587-4427. Visit www.homemadetheater.org for more information.