WESTFIELD – An area Christmas tradition is readying for a sixth act in Westfield after running for five years in Springfield.
Inspired by December dinners held around the United States that combine a performance of the timeless Charles Dickens tale “A Christmas Carol” with a victorian-style meal, Westfield On Weekends (WOW) is readying for an inaugural dinner theatre performance of the holiday classic, to be held at the Genesis House on December 19.
During the five previous years, the performance has raised over $16,000 for WOW to maintain the running of an annual “Dickens Days” festival in Westfield that has drawn spectators from as far away as Binghamton, New York.
This year’s performance will be running for one night only, with a limited number of tickets selling for $40. Proceeds from the show will be going to the Genesis Center and WOW.
“I asked Cathy Palmer, a local playwright who works with The Westfield Theatre Group, to write us a basic script that would run about 40 minutes to an hour long,” said WOW President Bob Plasse, who plays several roles in the performance.
Plasse said that he had worked with the Spirit of Springfield, a non-profit organization responsible for hosting the Bright Nights festival in Springfield’s Forest Park, where the show ran for five nights each of the past five years.
Unfortunately, after the Spirit of Springfield raised ticket prices for this year’s event to $70, Plasse decided that there may be a better place closer to home where the tradition could live on.
“(The show) kind of morphed and morphed and our community folks volunteered their time and still volunteer for it,” he said. “The Kiwanis Club is really a big part of it.”
Attendees are greeted at the door of the venue by the cast and crew prior to the show, with Plasse interacting with the crowd during dinner before the curtain rises.
“There are 11 cast members – Ann and Woody Darling and their four kids, myself, Brad Cassin, Angus Robarge, Art Sousa,” said Plasse, listing a few of the folks who have participated in the show for several years. “I become the Ghost of Christmas, but my main role is as a relative of Charles Dickens telling the story.”
Folks who have seen the play describe it as an interesting and interactive experience.
“It’s neat because while you’re eating, (Bob) will be walking through and talking,” said Martha Baillargeon of Southwick. “Then Tiny Tim will come over and then his father will come by. It’s not like sitting and watching a play where everything’s right there. It’s in between the aisles. It’s not your typical ‘Christmas Carol’.”
While the meal has been a prime rib in year’s past, Plasse said that this year’s meal will be a ham and seating for the event is limited.
“Prior to the show, I talk with audience members, who end up playing townfolk in the show,” said Plasse. “It’s a good family show.”
