By Avina Sharma
Now that Halloween is over, you know what that means. It’s time to hear those sleigh bells jingling in the spirit of the holiday season!
What is the first thing that comes to mind this time of year? Hot chocolate? Santa Claus? Reindeer? You know Dasher and Dancer…but what about PRANCER?
That’s right, this season Morristown High School is putting on the high school world premier of the play Prancer, with the red carpet treatment at all four shows.
Prancer is the story of 8-year-old Jessica Riggs, who has fallen on hard times. Yet despite her family’s struggles, she is not afraid to believe in Santa Claus and the idea that miracles really do happen.
When she discovers an injured reindeer in her backyard, she believes it’s Prancer from Santa’s sleigh. Is it truly Prancer? What happens to the young girl as she tries to nurse this reindeer back to health?
Find out from Nov. 15-18, 2018, at performances driven by the school’s new directing team.
When Director Katie Adams and Producer Mike Hession were looking for a show, they wanted something challenging that was fun for the whole family, something that hits you in the heart.
The cast and crew needed a project that would “raise the bar,” says Adams. She thinks Prancer does just that. Morristown is the first school to put on a production of Prancer.
“I have a strong connection to the original 1989 film, having gone through similar turmoils as the main character Jessica,” says Adams.
She lost her mother, just like Prancer’s main character, Jessica. Adams’ father did his best to keep the family together, and adults like her Aunt Laura (similar to Jessica’s Aunt Sarah), became a surrogate mother to her.
Finding the perfect show has not been Adams’ only challenge. Although she has served as artistic director for three years, the transition to full director is a tall order.
She follows in the footsteps of Michael Maguire, who left in March, immediately after presenting Anything Goes, to take a new job. Maguire led the drama department for three years.
Adams said her new opportunity has given her a greater appreciation of the foundation Maguire built. One big family, Morristown’s theater program has evolved into a place where children can feel safe and “share their ever growing talents and feel rewarded for their work,” Adams says.
Showtimes are 7 pm on Thursday, Nov. 15; Friday, Nov. 16, and Saturday, Nov. 17, and 2 pm on Sunday, Nov. 18. Look for a special guest appearance by a real reindeer on Sunday! Buy tickets here.
Avina Sharma is a senior at Morristown High School and works in the crew of ‘Prancer.’
