Deck the malls

A light-hearted and heart-warming Christmas show is hitting the stage this weekend as Crest Area Theatre prepares for their winter production.

“One Christmas Eve at Evergreen Mall” by Lynne Halliday, James Lindman, Arlene Hutton and Craig Pospisil features a large cast of diverse ages, according to director Bill Mullin.

“The ages of our actors range from young teens all the way up to mid-60s, and we have a few actors that are playing multiple roles,” Mullin said. “It’s not a highly technical show. We do have a simple set of sets, but we’re always changing things on the stage to try to create the ambiance of different parts of a mall. A little bit of music playing here and there. It’s just going to be fun.”

The 90-minute show will follow multiple interconnected storylines at the Evergreen Mall on Christmas Eve.

“You have last minute shoppers, and you have kids getting into mischief, and you have folks that meet up that haven’t seen each other in a number of years and that sort of thing,” Mullin said. “You have a little bit of shoplifting, a little kidnapping take place, just a lot of different things that take place on that last day before Christmas.”

As a local theater group, CAT is happy to provide the opportunity for community members to be involved with theater as well as let Crestonians witness live theater at a cheaper price point than professional theater.

“As a group, Crest Area Theatre’s mission is to provide live theater opportunities for people of all ages in our area,” Mullin said. Those interested in joining future productions can find more information at crestareatheatre.wordpress.com.

Performances of “One Christmas Eve at Evergreen Mall” are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Southwestern Community College Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $10 and available only at the door. A portion of the sales will benefit Creston Area Food Pantry.

Mullin will be assisted by Ahdri Kendrick. Cast members as their roles are:

Lauren Hudson as the bell ringer/Robin.

Stella Girard as Lacey.

Nick Pauly as Robert/Andy.

Karla Hynes as Darla.

Steven Bell as Todd.

Amelia Kendrick as Jenny.

Aaron Aldapa as Stephen.

Ellie Soosloff as Erin/Molly.

Justin Kendrick as RJ/Gerald.

Alexis Groumoutis as Taylor/Felicia.

Jacob Rutz as Terry/Matthew.

Julie Moreland as Sharon.

Christina Strand as Abbie.

Renae Fowler as JoEllen/Linda.

Ahdri Kendrick as Ellie.

Boston Kendrick as Santa’s stunt double.

Backstage crew includes Cynthia Blakely on props/set dressing and Liz Strand as seamstress.