Kringle's Window

December 1 - 18, 2005

Written by Mark Medoff
Directed by David Nairn

Yes, there is a Santa Claus!

With the family in confusion, Becka has retreated into the world of cyberspace after informing her younger sister that there is no Santa Claus. What could be worse just before Christmas? In the world of the frenetic twenty-first century, it's going to take a very special person to remind one modern family of the true meaning of Christmas. Fortunately for this family, they are soon to have a very special guest.

Articles and Reviews

Play Invokes the Spirit of Christmas

ASHLEY GOODFELLOW, Orangeville Banner Staff Writer
Friday, November 22, 2005

Hope is the eternal message in Theatre Orangeville's holiday production, Kringle's Window, which hits the stage in December -- just in time to drum up those festive feelings.

Starring a stellar cast of local youth -- Rachel Grant, Alice Gillham, Elizabeth DuBois, Colin Simmons, Scott Mitchnick, Jennifer McCall, and David O'Dwyer -- the play looks at the modern family at Christmas time. And, it takes place right here in Orangeville, in anyone's living room.

"It could be a real story," says David Nairn, director of Kringle's Window. "I believe every single minute of it. You could imagine this play happening in your own house."

The story revolves around two sisters, Becka (Grant) and Boomer (Gillham) Waller, and how they try to find the true meaning of Christmas.

In the midst of a family breakdown, the girls begin to doubt some of their own beliefs on the magic of Christmas -- and the studious 13-year-old Becka goes on a mission to prove there isn't a Santa Claus.

"Becka is a good kid but she doesn't know how to deal with what's going on," explains Grant, 14. "People will really be able to relate to it."

Tempered with humour, technology and the spirit of the season, both Grant and Gillham say everyone's favourite things about Christmas will pop up in the play. From snow to family gatherings to the big man in red himself, the spirit of Christmas will put the audience in a festive mood.

"It will be cool for everyone, overall, because it's like that holiday spirit and it gets you in the mood for Christmas," says Gillham, 10. "It will make you appreciate your family and friends." "And it will make you appreciate what you have," adds Grant.

Although there are some serious and tender moments, Nairn says the script is full of funny, comical moments which makes the story appeal to all generations. "It's basically happening right now, this Christmas," says Nairn. "It's normal people experiencing every day stuff."

Both girls say their debut with Theatre Orangeville's main stage series has been a terrific experience so far, especially being able to work with Nairn and a cast of professional actors -- Linda Goransen, David James, Nora Sheehan and David Rosser (who we saw earlier this season in Dads! The Musical). But what they enjoy most is being able to get into the holiday spirit -- and invoking that same feeling in others through their acting.

"When other people are excited about Christmas," says Grant, "it makes you excited too." Kringle's Window plays at Theatre Orangeville from Dec. 1 to 21. Immediately prior to each evening's presentation, the Theatre Orangeville Youth Singers (TOYS) will perform some holiday favourites.

Holiday Play a Testament to Local Talent

ASHLEY GOODFELLOW, Orangeville Banner Staff Writer

Remember when Christmas was the most magical time of year? When it was about dreams and hope, when anything was possible and everything truly seemed merry and bright? What about the feelings of devastation, betrayal and heartbreak you felt when you first heard someone say "Santa's not real" -- do you remember that too?

Theatre Orangeville's holiday production Kringle's Window transports us back to our younger years and these sentiments -- or, rather, gives us a glimpse into what it would be like to relive our youth in 2005.

Boomer Waller (played by Alice Gillham) is eight years old. She's a simple-hearted and thoughtful little girl trying her best to keep a brave and happy face while her parents work through a separation. Becka (played by Rachel Grant) is a teen lashing out at her family, resentful of her parents' split and their lack of attention. Wrapped up in a world of technology and friends, she tries to be everything Boomer is not.

Perhaps Becka is jealous of Boomer's ability to still see the world through rose-coloured glasses -- or perhaps she just wants to be accepted by her peers -- but when she's challenged to reveal to Boomer that Santa doesn't exist, she steps up. From here, everything starts to unravel -- until the mystical and somehow familiar Mrs. Rosen (Linda Goranson) shows up with her eccentric outfit and peculiar insights.

She arrives from nowhere, speaking all sorts of gibberish, moving erratically and jingling all over the place -- you can't help but like her. Strangely, the Waller family takes her in, and you begin to understand her role in the story. I won't offer much more than that, as a good story needs to be told first-hand. And, it is one -- a good story, that is -- so unless you can't get a seat at the theatre, there's no excuse to miss this play.

The story and the script play beautifully off of youthful wonder and masterfully capture the essence of a younger generation dealing with today's problems. But the laughs are plentiful as well and you won't be able to catch your breath after witnessing Mrs. Rosen's hip hop rendition -- just trust me on this one -- or Boomer's innocent question to Santa about his reindeer.

Gillham and Grant equally steal the show and shine in the spotlight. They are naturals on stage, and draw us in with their genuine, stellar performances. Actually, there was not one mediocre performance in the house. The seven young people cast in the play are a testament to talent in the area -- if not for anything else, you should see this play to be a witness to their budding careers.

David Rosser as Dean (the dad) and Nora Sheehan as Irene (the mom) fill the stage with earnest, balanced performances. Sophisticated, smooth and sincere is how they each deliver their roles to the audience. Linda Goranson, as Mrs. Rosen, is simply extraordinary. The set, a fantastic and festive tribute to the season, and the story, will make you feel like you are stepping right into Christmas. There are lots of delightful surprises with this top-notch set, so keep a close eye on what's happening.

In the final scene (read on, I'm not giving anything away here) we witness one kid's attempt to keep another kid's dream alive -- and it pulls hard at our heartstrings. At this point, we realize it's true what Mrs. Rosen says throughout the play: There was hope, there is hope, there will be hope again. Don't believe me? I'll bet you 10 silver dollars to your dime that you can't prove hope doesn't exist.