Merry Christmas, Strega Nona
Story by Tomie dePaola
Adapted for the stage by Thomas Olson
Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre
November 4 – 20, 2011
Long ago, near a little town in Calabria, Italy lived an old witch called Strega Nona “Grandma Witch.” She knew magic and loved to use it to help people. Big Anthony, Strega Nona’s helper, didn’t like to work, never paid attention and almost always got into trouble. Every Christmas Eve, Strega Nona made a big feast for all the people of Calabria with no magic at all because she says, “No magic at Christmastime. Christmas has a magic all its own.” After Big Anthony nearly ruined Christmas by another one of his goofs, it seemed like nothing but a miracle could save Strega Nona’s feast. But Christmas is a time for miracles…and wonderful surprises too.
View the photos by David Watts.
Cast
- Strega Nona: Martie Todd Sirois
- Big Anthony: Charlie Putnam
- Bambolona: Natalie Giannini
- Little Paolo: Jack Sirois
- Cheese/candy vendor, Carmina: Hannah Levinson
- Vegetable vendor, Vincenzo: Parker Perry
- Mayor, Guiseppe: James Ilsley
- Mayor’s wife, Donatella: Courtney Lyne Johnson
- Mayor’s son, Antonio: Bryan Bunch
- Mayor’s daughter, Isabella: Sarah Langston
- Paolo’s mother, Maria: Melissa Owens Langston
- Signora Rosa: Triona Kagan
- Signora Rosa’s daughter, Celestia: Pippa Dunne
- Father Michelangelo: Sam Haw
- Sister Anna Maria: McKinley Rains
- Bianca, village child: Maggie Duffy
- Sophia, village child: Quinn Norman
- Signore Bambo, the baker: Barney Weaver
- Puppeteer: James Ilsley
- Shepherds: Bryan Bunch, Sam Haw, Parker Perry
- Cherubs: Libby Rogers, Kinsey Watson
Production staff
- Director: Linda O’Day Young
- Music Director: Yvonne Koch
- Choreographer: Alison Williams
- Scenic Designer: Thomas Mauney
- Costume Designer: Jenny Mitchell
- Lighting Designer/Technical Director: Jim Zervas
- Sound Designer/Engineer: John Maruca
- Stage Manager: Elaine Petrone
- Assistant Stage Manager: Mia Carson
- Italian Coach: Andrew Heil
- Audition Coordinator: Marie Berry
- House Manager Coordinator: Lynn Freeman
- Usher Coordinator: Kathleen Rudolph
- Original Art Work: Tomie dePaola
- Advertising and Graphic Design: Mary Sox
- Playbill Design: Heidi M. Dragon
- Poster Printing: PIP Printing
- Photographer: David Watts
Production crews
Audition Crew: Marie Berry, Gloria Rich, Catherine Lambe, Susan Mygatt, Alyssa Petrone, David Watts & Zoe Watts
Costume Shop Crew: Mary Ali, Marie Berry, Barbara Biggs, Ann Haigler, Courtney Lyne Johnson, Courtney Jones, Susan Kimmel, Catherine Lambe, Vicki Olson, Debbie Sherrod, Tana Shehan, Carol Schroeder, Jean Wilkinson & Judy Wray
Running Crew: Mary Hopkins (Crew Chief ) & Ellis Perry
House Managers: Dan Eckert, Lynn Freeman, Tamara Hopson, Liz Kodadek, Susan Mygatt, Liisa Trent & Judi Wilkinson
Light Crew: Alan Osuna (Crew Chief ), Alyssa Petrone, Maggie & Karen Spencer
Light Hang/Focus: Mia Carson, Michael Gorman, Joseph Heil, Todd Houseknecht & Elaine Petrone
Public Relation Crew: Patsy Clarke, Catherine Lambe, Carolyn Le Rue, Stuart Wagner, David Watts & Judi Wilkinson
Set Construction Crew: Noel Butzke, Dave Davis, Michael Gorman, Joseph Heil, Todd Houseknecht, Bill Kochuk, David Langmeyer, Russ Owen, Elaine Petrone & Dave Wray
Sound Crew: Todd Houseknecht (Crew Chief ), Barbara Corbin, Alec Kunkel & John Maruca