Little Theatre cast members are experiencing déjà vu
A number of cast members in this year’s holiday production at The Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County are experiencing déjà vu as they look back on their first experiences in “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” In 2018 they all worked with this year’s director, Lisa Sommers, but in very different roles.
Taylor Brogan, 17, daughter of Dawn Brogan and a junior at Dover High School, was in sixth grade. It was the first show she had ever been in, and she was playing Claudet, one of the “horrible Herdmans.” This year she is playing the leading character, Immogene, the most troublesome of the Herdmans who eventually does a complete turn-around by the end of the play.
“Even though this is the same show, it’s not,” Brogan said. “I see everything from a different perspective now, and I get to bring a new light to the story. When I was younger, I learned the lines and said them, but I didn’t really know what they meant.”
Along with participating in The Little Theatre, Brogan keeps busy in theater, percussion, symphonic band and the bass section of the orchestra at school, as well as dancing at Lacy Pac.
“I hope to go on in theater after high school,” she said, “but I will probably major in something sensible like chemistry or a medical field. Even so, music will always be first in my heart.”
Sophie Hammerstrom, daughter of Kimberly and Bill Hammerstrom, is playing Gladys this year instead of one of the baby angels. The 10-year-old who attends Dover Avenue Elementary School said she also now understands the story much better since she is older.
“There isn’t any drama program at my school, so I am lucky to be able to be in The Little Theatre production,” she said.
Hammerstrom is in soccer, dance and band. She makes bracelets as a hobby when not on stage.
Carly Dumermuth, 14, daughter of Tiffany and Rodney Dumermuth, attends Central Catholic High School, where she plays tennis and participates in Power of the Pen. In seventh grade her writing took her to the regionals.
“It is really fun to see how differently people express themselves,” she said. “Five years ago, all I knew how to do was learn my lines. Now I listen and hear what the story is all about.”
After playing a baby angel in the first production, Dumermuth is playing Claude Herdman this year.
Anna Wherley, 14, daughter of Suzanne and Jim Wherley of New Philadelphia, made a big change in character this year, from playing Ollie Herdman to the part of narrator Beth Bradley.
“I’m not mean this time,” she said. “It’s a whole different character.”
Wherley plays tennis at school and participates in the plays and musicals.
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” will present eight performances Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10. Curtain times are: 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. for Saturday and Sunday matinees.
Tickets are available by calling 330-308-6400, online at www.TheLittleTheatreOnline.org or at the door. The show is sponsored by McInturf Realty Christmas in the Park and NAPA Sugarcreek Harrison Auto Parts. The Little Theatre is located at 466 Carrie Ave. NW in New Philadelphia.
