Santa Sightings

Santa had a busy week in Emery and Carbon counties as he was spotted at events here there are everywhere, much to the delight of young and old.  From city celebrations in Huntington, Ferron, Castle Dale, and Orangeville, to the Bikers Against Child Abuse Christmas Celebration in Price and at Zions Bank tree decorating events, Santa made an appearance to gather Christmas wishes.

A Christmas Carol…More or Less

The Helper Arts Council and The OtherSide Players present a revival of “A Christmas Carol…More or Less,” a fast and furious, quick-change comedy for the holiday season. Join us for a romp that fits the turkey and eggnog season as warmly as a seat by a roaring fire. This family-friendly production will bring joy and laughs to everyone to last throughout the New Year.

A Christmas Carol…More or Less tells the tale of Charlie (Morgan Lund) and Sarah Cunningham (Brenda Sue Cowley), a married couple who run a small theatre that is presenting a traditional version of the Dickens tale A Christmas Carol. To their dismay, the entire cast and crew are snowed in during a skiing excursion in the mountains above Salt Lake City and cannot make it to the theatre to start the play. To make matters worse, Charlie is planning to leave Sarah that same evening. “But the show must go on!” says Sarah, who then blackmails Charlie into performing the play together with her – he as Scrooge and her as all of the other characters.

As the play proceeds, they begin to be drawn back into their relationship but not without their marital problems interfering with the performance. This results in two acts of hilarious physical and verbal comedy that will have you rolling in the aisles.

Written originally for the Rio Theatre stage by former Carbon County residents Stefano LoVerso and Mary Irey, A Christmas Carol…More or Less is a must-see for the whole family. It was first produced for a limited run in 1997 by the Helper Intermountain Theatre. This new version of their play is a collaboration between the Helper Arts Council, the OtherSide Players and the College of Eastern Utah theatre department.

The OtherSide Players is a new acting company based in Helper, whose mission is to provide artistically excellent, high-quality theatre to Carbon and neighboring counties. Morgan Lund, stage and film actor and native of Salt Lake City is the artistic director; Jinni Fontana-Lund, is managing director; Corey Ewan of CEU is directing the show; Grady McEvoy also of CEU is technical and lighting director; Dan Larrinaga of Salt Lake City is stage manager.

The comedy will play at the Rio Theatre, 210 Main St., on Thursday, Dec. 11, Friday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 18, Friday, Dec. 19 and Saturday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees on Dec. 14 and 21 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and under. Purchase advance tickets at the Balance Rock Café, 148 S. Main St., Helper, or at the Rio Theatre Box Office, 210 S. Main Street on the day of your desired performance.