Prancer’ brings Christmas magic

The Wilson Performing Arts Center is staging a Christmas classic for the next two weekends.
The play “Prancer,” based on the 1989 film of the same name, will  have 7:30 p.m. showings on Dec. 20 and 21, and 2:30 p.m. matinees on Dec. 22.
The show is being directed by Tracy Rhodes, who will be a familiar face to WPAC audiences.
“This is my first time directing for the Wilson. This show is something that I’ve had on the plate for a while now, and when I saw it a couple of years ago, when it first was written, I knew that I needed to direct this one myself.  This was probably at the top of my list for a show to do,” said Rhodes.
While some shows are chosen and then a director is sought, Rhodes said she pitched her show directly to the WPAC board.
“I actually pulled a proposal together and then went to a theater meeting and sent everything, proposed my whole idea of what I wanted to do. The big magical part of the show, which was the hard sell, was to get a full-sized puppet to be our reindeer. My husband, Eric, and Andrew Heaton are currently in the process of making the deer,” explained Rhodes.
Rhodes described a little of what audiences can expect from the reindeer.
“Prancer is manned by one person and will be pretty close to full-sized and as realistic as we can get it within our means. I’m hoping the kids will get a chance to meet him afterwards. He’s something of an animatronic. They’re going to have some robotics for the eyes and the ears that Andrew’s building with a 3D printer, and then we’ve got the body, which Eric is building, and that’s all being completely custom-made by Eric. It’s a lot of welding and things and components, and he’s very good at putting things together and making it amazing,” Rhodes advised.
In addition to being based on the 1989 film, Rhodes said the stage production of “Prancer” is written by the same writer who penned the film.
 “It’s kind of loosely based on the book, “Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus,” if anybody has read it. It’s really just about this little girl that helps bring hope and magic back into everybody’s lives in the community, some of it within her family and some of it with some of the other people in town. It’s a cool little story about, I guess, just faith and happiness,” Rhodes stated.
The cast itself is made up of youth and adult performers and is a large cast of characters.
“We have probably about 25 in the cast, and about 20 that have a speaking part. They range from age nine to our adults. My lead is Madison Ripplinger, and she’s only nine years old. She’s an amazing talent. This is her first production. It’s also the first production for the boy who’s playing her brother, Brody Jones. They are both brand new to a full production like this. They’ve done theater camps and such, but this is their first go at onstage, and they’re so good.”
Another key character is played by John Olson, who is very familiar to the WPAC stage.
“He’s done a lot of acting and directing and pretty much every facet of theater, I think. So he’s been a good person to go to when I have questions about directing, because he’s got a lot of experience. I’ve got a nice range of other people in the cast, too, that have spent a lot of time onstage. So I think it’s nice to have that experience and then all the excitement of the new youth cast. It’s a good mix. I have a couple people that I’ve worked with, on stage and behind the scenes, such as Dan Crouse. but for the most part, I think everybody in the cast is someone I’ve seen in other productions but that I’ve never actually worked with before.”
Other members of the cast and crew include Ethan Strunk, Rowyn Potts, Jill Gandy, Sarah Hellman, Blair DeBolt, Jennifer Thomason, Justus Thomason, Charlie Strunk, Madison Burt, Macartnie Boeye, Soren Strunk, Josiah Thomason, Romie Wells, Jason Beam, Kristi Hardwick, Joslyn Thomason, Carter Trulicka, Trent Jones, Jenny Boeye, Lucy Gandy, Bobbi Trujillo, Elliot Smith, Ciara Shierkolk, Liza Beam, Truman Stickland, Jeremy Waymire, and Sydney Martin.
Rhodes anticipates the youth performers involved in the production will be encouraged to continue in the arts.
“That’s been my goal through all of it is for it to be fun for everybody. We have rules, of course, and we have guidelines that they have to follow. But I think for the most part, we’re trying to keep them doing stuff that they enjoy within the production. So we’re giving them little projects of things to do. One of the girls is an artist, so I had her draw some pictures that we’re going to use as the little girls’ artwork in the room,” advised Rhodes.
Rhodes said being able to direct a dream project for the Wilson has been a great experience.
“I love seeing the vision come through. You’re hoping that you’re able to communicate what you want to see, and that you’re able to, within the constraints of a budget and the people that you have around you. I’ve been lucky, especially as a first-time director, to have the talent that I have on this cast and in this crew. Because without that, this wouldn’t be even close to what it’s going to be. I’m so happy about it.
Rhodes said she’s hoping that everyone who comes to see the show enjoys the magic.
“I think it will be a very special show for people, because for me, it reminds me of my childhood growing up in a small town. There’s a lot of that referenced in the show, as well as the community vibe that you get from being in a small town. I think a lot of people in the audience will relate to a show like this. And the sense of family and community, but with a little touch of magic in there. Because that’s something that I really love. I love a little taste of that when you can get it,” Rhodes said.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for kids. Visit wilsonartscenter.org, call 623-3183, or stop in at the center at 300 Commerce Dr. to reserve tickets.