'The Grumpsicle meets Julius Caesar'
Holiday show explores seasons, months of the year based on calendar set up by Roman leader
Fancy prancy reindeer, a stupid Cupid and an unlucky leprechaun help Santa foil the Grumpsicle this year.
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"The Grumpsicle Meets Julius Caesar" is this year's installment of the annual holiday pageant by the Janice Holst School of Dance. Performances will be at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at Centennial Hall.
Holst said the hall will be set up to accommodate families, with space up front for children.
Holst's dance school has staged a different version of the Grumpsicle since the early 1970s. Each year the villainous Grumpsicle tries to ruin Christmas, creating a story line that ties a variety of dance numbers together in the roughly two-hour production.
In past years, about 100 dancers have participated in about 35 different scenes. The cast ranges from age 4 to adult.
This year, Santa explains how his old friend Julius Caesar set up the calendar many years ago. The story drifts back to Roman times and Caesar names the different months of the year, creating the opportunity for dances based on holidays and seasons.
"We have some fun things going on with the seasons," Holst said. "A jazz number to 'Hanky Panky,' and beautiful snowflakes and flowers for those that enjoy ballet. There's some kind of dancing for everyone."
Steve Jones will be Julius Caesar. Angela Endicott will be the calendar girl. Springtime is Aszli Skrzynski, summertime is Jamie Courtney, autumn is Amanda Endicott and winter is June Tonsgaard. Mother Nature is played by Louise Howiter. Michan Gallagher will be a leprechaun.
Holst said Santa will be at Centennial Hall after the show. She said that no still or video cameras are allowed during the performance.
Admission is $7 for adults and kids, in advance at Hearthside Books and Mail Call, from the Janice Holst dancers and at the door.