Rialto Players to perform holiday production

RIVER VALLEY and OZARK AREA — Morrilton’s Rialto Players are in the Christmas spirit.

They hope to share that feeling with their upcoming production of The Rented Christmas by Norman C. Ahern Jr. and Yvonne Ahern Friday and Saturday and again Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Rialto Arts Center, 213 E. Broadway St. in Morrilton.

Curtain times are: Opening Night, 7 p.m. Friday; Soup Night, Saturday, with dining at 5:30 and performance at 7; Dinner Theater Saturday, Dec. 5, with dining at 5:30 and performance at 7; and Matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6.

For the first time, the Rialto is offering reserved seats. The first three rows in the center section of the audience area will be available as reserved seating and will be $12.50 per ticket. General admission seating for any of the four performances is $10 as always. The “Soup Night” meal ticket for Saturday is $5. The “Dinner Theater” meal ticket for Saturday, Dec. 5, is $10. All tickets are separate so patrons must have a performance ticket aswell to attend the play.

General admission tickets will be available at the door, online and through any adult cast member. Reserved seating tickets are date-specific and must be purchased through the Rialto, as there will be only 30 per performance. All meal tickets (limited to 160) must also be purchased in advance. They will not be available at the door. Call (501) 477-9955 or visit the Web site, www.rialtoartscenter.com.

Cathy Hoelzeman-Bond, who holds a master’s degree in theater, directs the play. She also directed last year’s Christmas production.

“When I was looking for Christmas plays to do last year, I found The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and decided to do it,” she said. “But I also read a summary of this one. I just fell in love with it. It’s so sweet. It’s not a comedy or a drama. It’s just a sweet, sweet story that has a whole lot of people finding what they want.”

The plot revolves around John Dale, who “hasn’t enjoyed a ‘real Christmas’ for years, since his parents died,” Hoelzeman-Bond said. “So on the spur of the moment, he decides to ‘rent’ a Christmas. Dale visits Anne Weston, who owns the local rental shop. He tells her he wants a decorated Christmas tree, presents, carolers and a family with five children.

The cast includes:

◊Jessica Rohlman of the Overcup community as Anne Weston, the rental shop owner. She appeared in last year’s production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

◊Dillion Mitchell, 18, ofMorrilton as Jimmy, a kid who works at the rental shop. He also plays one of the children in the rented family. Mitchell is a senior at Morrilton High School and has appeared in plays at the high school. He has also appeared in one production with the Rialto Players.

◊Rick Beck of Center Ridge as John Dalton, the man who rents Christmas. He has appeared in several local theater productions.

◊Jeannie Denniston of Morrilton as Martha, John Dale’s housekeeper. She serves as publicity chairman for the Rialto Players and is a veteran with the acting troupe.

◊ Patty Hallum of St. Vincent as Bridget, John Dale’s cook. She said this is the first time she has appeared in a “big” play with the Rialto Players, but she has appeared in some oneact productions.

◊Jennifer Thompson as Mrs. Alice Lindsey, the carolers’ matron. This is her second time to act with the Rialto Players.

◊Alaina Hallum, 14, as Jean, one of the “rented” children. She is a student at Wonderview High School and has appeared with the community theater before.

◊Kayla Koontz, 13, as Cynthia, one of the “rented” children. She is a student at Morrilton Junior High. She appeared in last year’s production and has worked behind stage for several productions.

◊ Dalton Green, 11, as Willie, one of the “rented” children.” He is a student at Morrilton Intermediate School. This is his first time to appear with the actors.

◊Lily Bea Dillinger, 6, as Lettie, one of the “rented” children. She is a student at Perryville Elementary School. This is also her first time to appear with the Rialto Players.

◊Stephanie Koontz as Claire, John Dale’s business partner. She is a veteran actor with the Rialto Players.

Christmas Carolers, who are all appearing with the Rialto Players for the first time, are:

◊Hunter Garrett, 11, guitarist. He attends Morrilton Intermediate School.

◊Cole Tilley, 14. She attends Nemo Vista High School.

◊Michael Canady, 8. He attends Morrilton Elementary School.

◊Hope Rankin, 10. She attends Morrilton IntermediateSchool.

◊Abbye Millsap, 8. She attends Morrilton Elementary School.

◊Rylee Raper, 9. She attends Wonderview Elementary School.

Hoelzeman-Bond said all of the adult actors serve on technical crews as well as being on stage.

“Additionally, many wellknown Rialto Players are contributing their talents behind the scenes,” she said. “They include Robert Gregory, David Garrett, Lydia Alabach, Jim Bowles, Theresa Paladino, Joe Hoelzeman, David Loyd, Jonna Gibby, Stephanie Yancey, Lindell Roberts, Shawnna Bowles, Joey and Olivia Rivers and Katie Alabach. Local artists Dorothy Imhauser and Laurie Alabach have also used their creative talents on the artwork used in and for the play.” - crolf@ arkansasonline.com

River Valley Ozark, Pages 139 on 11/15/2009

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