AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler
The gratifyingly large crowd that turned out for the Community Tree Lighting at The Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber’s offices at One Holly Avenue last Friday was joyous as the evening’s program got underway. Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman was on hand for the countdown for the lighting. A dance performance by the Dance Center of Seerna Park followed and was greeted by generous applause.
As the Severna Park Elementary School Chorus of 4th and 5th graders lined up facing the crowd to sing “Oh Christmas Tree” and other carols, there was enthusiastic cheering.
Facing the crowd and the beautiful tree beyond, the 40-member chorus moved on to a rousing rendition of “Jingle Bells”. As always, the Chamber’s three-decade traditional holiday celebration attracted attendees from far and near and created an air of excitement throughout the town.
Parallel to the Chamber, in the historic train station, the Severna Park Model Railroad Club opened its doors to the public for a peek at its amazing multi-rail train display. Across Riggs Avenue, in front of the Red Apron Shoppe, the owners’ family and friends had gathered along the sidewalk to enjoy the festivities.
The younger children in the audience liked the performances. However, they couldn’t resist the inevitable draw of Santa, who sat ready to welcome them and listen to their Christmas wishes. Nearby, The Grinch was wandering about. Far from trying to steal Christmas, the Dr. Seuss character amiably shook hands and chatted with the kids.
Younger still, and oh so curious, two-year-old Brooks Miller nested in the arms of his uncle Robert Peroutka while viewing the spectacle through his new binoculars.
As the celebration progressed, Chamber CEO Liz League, who acted as emcee, grew more and more pleased. She hadn’t known what size crowd to expect and was thrilled. She was also grateful for support from a number of sponsor and helping hands.
“The Big Bean Coffee Shop owners Greg and Christie Coster called the week of the lighting and offered to serve hot chocolate and cider,” League said. “The Costers planned for 75 but we had over 600 people and they served 17 containers of beverages. They were wonderful to go back to the shop and get more supplies several times. But they loved the event and meeting community members.
As is their tradition, The Toast of Severna Park Toastmasters Club was on hand giving out butter cookies that were donated by COSTCO. The group went through hundreds of cookies. All of our candy canes and candy were also given out. It was a record-breaking crowd.”
The celebration ended with a series of cleverly choreographed routines by Creative Force Dance Center.
The Talent Machine Company’s “Holiday Magic” opens December 11th
With this year’s Talent Machine Company Christmas production, “Holiday Magic”, about to debut on Saturday, December 11th at Indian Creek Upper School, the excitement level was high among the 47 young actors participating in last week’s tech rehearsals. It was such a pleasure to be together rehearing for “live” performances of the show, that they didn’t mind the work involved in blocking and lighting scenes, refining the vocals or making adjustments to the dance routines.
Patience was required as director Lea Capps re-positioned them multiple times as they moved through each number.
TMC’s traditional holiday performance venue at St. John’s College was not available so the cast was just getting acquainted with the Indian Head Upper School theater.
Talent Machine company manager/production manager Judy Curbello explained that the theater at St. John’s, which has been a traditional home for TMC holiday productions, is undergoing renovations. Thus, a new performance venue had to be found.
“Thanks to the families of some of our students who attend Indian Creek, we were able to use this lovely theater,” she said. “However, we do our own sets, props and costumes created by parent volunteers. The set we’re using today is a partially decorated living room set for Act 2. The larger “downtown Annapolis” set we’ll use to open the show and throughout Act 1 is really beautiful.”
The lighting crew had to be on its toes as rehearsal continued and the actors performed part of a dance routine from Act 2 at Capps’ direction.
A few minutes later, the crew shifted into overdrive, lighting the entire stage, as the dancers segued into another part of the sequence.
Actors not in the number onstage or in a nearby vocal rehearsal, watched from their seats in the theater. Cast members range in age from 7 to 18 and come from Crofton, Millersville, Severna Park, Pasadena, Annapolis and, basically, all over Anne Arundel County.
Talking with several actors, it was apparent how much they were enjoying a return to the normalcy of TMC’s annual holiday show.
Ainslley Grow, Reilly Miller and Lily Abbott stood together near the back of the theater watching the action. All three are freshmen but attend different schools. Ainsley attends Severn School and Reilly attends Severna Park High while Lily goes to Monsignor Slade Catholic School. They’ve all appeared in Talent Machine shows previously.
The three love doing the “big production” holiday shows even though they require multiple costume changes. Ainsley will spend most of her time on stage fully costumed as a reindeer…complete with the head. Reilly will appear as a soldier, a freaky doll, an elf and a regular guy in a winter scene. Lily will also appear as an elf, will look hip as part of the Boogie Woogie Trio, and will wear a gingerbread costume for the number Reindeer Twist.
Lily, whose mother Karin Abott coordinates with Heather Carroll in creating the costumes, said she, Ainsley and the other female cast members will wear pretty winter dresses and the fellows will wear suits for the show’s finale.
Seniors this year and likely appearing in their last TMC holiday show as actors, dancers and vocalists, Kathryn Randall, Catherine Osikowicz and Ainsley Ellis are finding the experience bittersweet. They love the premise of the show, however. They explained that the production is centered around defeating Suzy Snowflake’s efforts to ruin Christmas.
The mysterious and devilish Suzy is played by Natalie Dixon who says assuming the role of a “demon” is a bit different for her.
“I’ve never been in people’s faces before as I am in the Suzy Snowflake number,” she says.
“Holiday Magic”, an originally staged production by TMC founder, the late Bobbi Smith, has been re staged by Lea Capps with new numbers added.
TMC Christmas show fans will be happy to know that “Holiday Magic” – a bound-to-be-fun spectacular – will have three performances on December 11 at 10 am, 2 pm and 7 pm and will have evening performances on December 21, 22 and 23 at 7 pm. For tickets and directions to Indian Creek Upper School, visit Holiday Magic 2021 – Talent Machine .
