2008 Woodie Awards
Jack Frost Delights Area Youth
Jordan O'Donnell
Issue date: 12/20/06 Section: Campus News
- Page 1 of 1
The holiday season came early for dozens of excited children who crowded Shea Center for Performing Arts on Dec. 10 to see The Connecticut Children's Theater's presentation of "Jack Frost," a multi-cultural holiday musical.
The musical is about three kids from Brooklyn who save the spirit of the holidays with the help of the magical Jack Frost. While saving the day, the three friends learn about several different holidays including Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa and Ramadan.
Pierre Patrick of the Edgerton Center for Performing Arts in Fairfield, Conn. said the hour-long performance includes, "Sing-a-longs, snow and a chase-you got to have a chase."
The company has been performing at WPU for the last ten years. Patrick said the musical is interesting because it touches on several religions.
According to Patrick the production will run throughout the week, playing host to hundreds of students from area schools. He said some school groups will travel more than 45 minutes to attend a performance.
"This place is filled when the school groups come in during the weekdays," said Keith Hildebrandt, a junior and usher at Shea.
The "Jack Frost" production goes on tour for just more than three weeks. Patrick said the next stop is Washington D.C.
"(The) performance is for families of surrounding communities, and other people affiliated with the school," he said.
The actors in the company believe the performance benefits the children.
"Kids today get a potpourri of religious holidays," said Jermaine Blackwell of Manhattan. He plays the part of Ed in the show and feels that children can get confused with the political correctness that surrounds the holiday season.
Annie Russ plays the part of Jack Frost and agreed that younger children need a way to learn about all holidays.
"In our productions we make sure not to talk down to kids," said Russ. "Lots of people are mistaken when they think that children don't understand what is going on."
The group will return to WPU on April 15 for a performance of the "Velveteen Rabbit." All its shows at WPU are family oriented; however, Patrick explained performances for older audiences are offered.
The musical is about three kids from Brooklyn who save the spirit of the holidays with the help of the magical Jack Frost. While saving the day, the three friends learn about several different holidays including Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa and Ramadan.
Pierre Patrick of the Edgerton Center for Performing Arts in Fairfield, Conn. said the hour-long performance includes, "Sing-a-longs, snow and a chase-you got to have a chase."
The company has been performing at WPU for the last ten years. Patrick said the musical is interesting because it touches on several religions.
According to Patrick the production will run throughout the week, playing host to hundreds of students from area schools. He said some school groups will travel more than 45 minutes to attend a performance.
"This place is filled when the school groups come in during the weekdays," said Keith Hildebrandt, a junior and usher at Shea.
The "Jack Frost" production goes on tour for just more than three weeks. Patrick said the next stop is Washington D.C.
"(The) performance is for families of surrounding communities, and other people affiliated with the school," he said.
The actors in the company believe the performance benefits the children.
"Kids today get a potpourri of religious holidays," said Jermaine Blackwell of Manhattan. He plays the part of Ed in the show and feels that children can get confused with the political correctness that surrounds the holiday season.
Annie Russ plays the part of Jack Frost and agreed that younger children need a way to learn about all holidays.
"In our productions we make sure not to talk down to kids," said Russ. "Lots of people are mistaken when they think that children don't understand what is going on."
The group will return to WPU on April 15 for a performance of the "Velveteen Rabbit." All its shows at WPU are family oriented; however, Patrick explained performances for older audiences are offered.
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