Fredonia Players to present ?A Christmas Classic?

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre along with the Nine Flags Festival will present "A Christmas Classic" by the Fredonia Players at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 5 and 6, and at 2 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in Cole Art Center at The Old Opera House in downtown.

The musical theatre group will perform classic Christmas tunes that will delight and entertain, such as "Winter Wonderland" and "Let It Snow," according to Shari Ellsworth, theatre appreciation instructor at SFA and the new director of the Fredonia Players.

Founded as "The Original Cast" more than 20 years ago by Dr. Alan Nielson, the musical theatre group changed its name to the Fredonia Players a few years ago to reflect a move toward an improvisational program. Ellsworth was assistant director for Nielson, who is now professor emeritus in SFA's School of Theatre, and she has brought the group back to its original form as a musical performance troupe.

"The Christmas show is very family oriented and will be enjoyed by all ages," Ellsworth said. "We have also included a few modern pieces, such as 'Mr. Grinch' and 'The Gift' by Jim Brickman."

The Fredonia Players also includes five featured dancers who will perform a waltz, a polka and a tap number, according to Ellsworth.

Troupe members are: Abigail White, exchange student from England; Mary Creath, Nacogdoches senior; Allison Day, Nacogdoches junior; Courtney Cole, Kennard senior; Lewis Newman, exchange student from England; Nnamdi Nwankwo, Pearland junior; Daniel Miller, Sugar Land, junior; Peyton Perry, Longview sophomore; Lauren Bowler, Katy sophomore; Hannah Johnson, Nacogdoches senior; Mary Collie, Amarillo junior; Michael Tait, exchange student from England; Austin Davis, Fort Worth junior; Michael Dizon, Garland sophomore; and Emily Rohrman, Grand Saline freshman. Dancers are: April Gore, Katy junior; Carley Nunn, Graham sophomore; Destiny Duhon, Pearland junior; Eric Gibson, Fairfield senior; and Darius Michael Moore, Forest Hill senior. The production team includes: Monika Zimmermann, Fort Worth sophomore, stage manager; Bruce Moran, Kingwood sophomore, and Devin Bruton, Nacogdoches freshman, sound designers; Taylor Dobbs, Baytown freshman, assistant stage manager; Michael Spencer, Colleyville junior, scenic designer; and Stephen Davis, Baytown sophomore, lighting designer.

The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors, students and youth. For tickets or more information, visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 486-6407.