Beloved children’s book character is coming to Columbus stage for Christmas show
Family Theatre welcomes the holiday season with “Madeline’s Christmas,” based on the book by Ludwig Bemelmans. In the play, Madeline is the youngest student at the school in Paris run by Miss Clavel. As Christmas approaches, the girls take a trip to the zoo without their scarves, except for Madeline. Everybody but Madeline comes down with a bad cold and it looks like the girls won’t get to go home for Christmas to be with their families, but with a little bit of Christmas magic, there is a happy ending for all.
“Madeline is such a wonderful character. In the various books she has a series of adventures. She is helpful, courageous, and thoughtful,” says Cheryl Palmour, artistic director. “We have a wonderful cast of 12young girls in the show. Madeline is played by Giselle de Loia, a third-grade student whose father is stationed at Fort Benning. Her younger sister, Tess, plays the part of the mouse in the production, so it is really a family production. When Carol Lamb, the director, suggested the play for this season, the staff eagerly said yes. Many young people and adults have read the Madeline books and will be familiar with the characters. We are very excited about bringing this musical to the Chattahoochee Valley audience.
“Family Theatre will also have a float in the Christmas parade in December featuring the cast of ‘Madeline.’ For those who go to the River Center, they will be able to see a gingerbread house representing the ‘old house in Paris’ where Madeline attends school.”
Lamb said, “Miss Clavel is played by Jennifer Sneigoski and Harsha, the rug maker is played by Arron Cook. This is going to be a production for families with children of all ages filled with music, magic and the holiday spirit. We have a group of very talented young girls and I have been very excited to work with them.”
Madeline’s Christmas opens Nov. 30 at Family Theatre and runs for seven performances on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m., through Dec. 15, with one Sunday matinee on Dec. 9 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets range in price from $8-$12. Online reservations can be made at www.familytheatre.org. Patrons can call 706-431-3752 to make a reservation or to reserve a table for larger groups. Family Theatre is located in the Theatre Annex of Rose Hill Baptist Church at 2100 Hamilton Road.