Christmas is looking a little bit different at the University of Idaho this year, at least for the Theatre Arts Department.
The department is presenting a new winter production, the holiday musical “A Child’s Christmas in Wales.” The show will be performed this weekend and next weekend at the Hartung Theatre.
The university has typically presented “A Christmas Carol” each winter, but many cast and crew members, including stage manager Robin Bonta, enjoy the change.
Promotional photos of musical “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” based on the short story by Dylan Thomas, directed by Ricky J. Martinez, musical Director Jesse Hampsch
“I’m excited by the opportunity to go in a new direction,” Bonta said. “In an academic environment, it’s been an amazing opportunity.”
Bonta, a non-traditional senior at UI, was the stage manager for “The Dumb Waiter” and “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” this year and the assistant stage manager for the production of “A Christmas Carol” last year. She said although she is excited for the change, she will miss “A Christmas Carol.”
“It’s a beautiful show,” she said. “I will carry it with me for the rest of my life.”
Bonta said “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” is a memory play based on poems told from the author’s perspective as an adult about Christmases when he was a child. She said the musical explores family traditions and what it is like to be a child during Christmastime by developing a collage of memories which end up defining the meaning of Christmas.
“It’s a play about remembering kinder and gentler times,” Bonta said. “It’s the rosy glow part of Christmas.”
Nathan Loomer, a senior playing the main character of the show, said he loves the joy his character gets from finding the little things in Christmas. Bonta and Loomer both said everyone can find a way the show relates to their own personal Christmases.
Bonta said she has loved watching the evolution of the show and the magic the director, Ricky J. Martinez, brought to the story. She said Martinez has taken what she thought was a dry play and made it come alive with humor and excitement. Bonta said UI’s production of the show is different than other versions she has seen of it.
“It’s fascinating, and it’s inspiring,” she said.
Neither Bonta nor Loomer had heard of the show before UI decided on doing it, but they both said they believe the show is unique. Loomer said the fact that the story takes place in Wales is interesting because the audience is able to see Welsh traditions and hear Welsh carols.
“It’s not ‘what makes this show unique?,’ it’s ‘what doesn’t?’” Bonta said. “It’s magical.”
Bonta said the best part about working on a show is when the cast is in actual performance. It’s an exciting moment, she said.
Bonta said the musical can be enjoyed by both children and adults. She said it has great humor and wonderful songs.
“People will laugh,” she said. “And they will probably be singing the songs for the rest of the season.”
Jordan Willson can be reached at [email protected]