“In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived 12 little girls in two straight lines.” So begins the delightful story of Madeline’s Christmas.
The Penn Yan Theatre Company (PYTCo) will bring this magical tale from the streets of Paris to the sanctuary of Wellspring Fellowship in Penn Yan on December 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. The musical features 17 youth performers from Penn Yan Central School District, Marcus Whitman Central School District, and Emmanuel Baptist Academy, as well as two home-schooled individuals.
As with most Madeline stories, disaster strikes: everyone gets the flu! Everyone, that is, except for the ever-resilient Madeline, played by Paige DeRue, a fourth grader at Marcus Whitman. Saddened that they may not be able to go home for Christmas, the girls and Miss Clavel (played by PY seventh grader Fiona Marino) take to their beds. But on Christmas Eve, the adventure begins when there is a knock at the front door. Expecting to see Santa, Madeline meets a rug merchant named Harsha, played by Porter Reynolds, a PY eighth grader. Harsha hopes to add a little magic to the holiday disaster.
Helping the girls along the way are Mrs. Murphy (Kat Green, PY seventh grader), who gets sick right along with the girls, and Monsieur Brun (played by EBA fifth grader Micah Benson) the private geography teacher attempting to teach the girls the number of steps to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Will Madeline find a way to save Christmas for the girls and Miss Clavel?
Under the direction of Grace Knapton and with musical direction by Corrine DeRue, these young performers have rehearsed twice a week for two hours over the past two months.
PYTCo, which has been celebrating its 45th anniversary all year, is thrilled to end the season with this magical holiday tale. Seats for Madeline’s Christmas are limited due to the capacity of Wellspring Fellowship. Advanced ticket sales are recommended and available here and will also be available at the door.
Adult tickets are $10 and student/seniors are $8. Wellspring Fellowship is located at 465 North Main Street, Penn Yan.
