WESTFIELD-Downtown Westfield circa 1914 is the backdrop for the world premiere of “Gift of the Magi” which will be staged by the Westfield Theatre Group in December, written by local collaborators Kathleen Palmer and Marion Dunk.
“After the cast list was set we realized how many family members were involved,” said Palmer, adding, “I didn’t realize that we were such a family affair.”
The cast of “Gift of the Magi” includes a lot of family connections.
Palmer spent close to four months working on the holiday show earlier this year. Palmer said she studied four short stories, “The Gift of the Magi,” “Lost on the Dress Parade,” “Ransom of Red Chief,” and “A Retrieved Reformation” for her inspiration.
“The trick is to find where those stories are in the play,” said Palmer of the musical comedy.
Once the cast had been chosen, the focus then turned to Dunk who put her creative license to work on the score.
“Once the cast has been decided, I can custom fit the music to the person who will be portraying each role,” said Dunk.
On a recent evening, as cast members were trickling in for rehearsal, several family members shared their thoughts on the holiday show.
Charles “Woody” Darling, recently retired from the Westfield Public Works Department, is sharing the stage with his son, Charlie Darling, daughter, Mairi Tumavicus, and niece, Brooke Darling.
“I’ve known Kathleen since we were kids but this is the first time I’ve done a play,” said Darling, noting he will be a member of the adult chorus.
For Darling’s son Charlie, 12, who will portray “Oliver Dorset,” the experience has been exciting.
“I like acting and being in the play is a really fun thing to do,” said Charlie Darling.
For Tumavicus, 14, she concurs with her brother.
“I like singing in the chorus and I enjoy acting,” said Tumavicus who is a member of the teen chorus.
Brooke Darling, 11, was also ecstatic she was chosen for a role with the youth chorus.
“It’s fun to be a part of a play that includes Charlie and Mairi,” said Darling.
For Jim Costello, who plays the role of Charlie Darling’s father – “Ebenezer Dorset” – he said sharing the stage with his son, Tucker, 14, is also a great experience.
“The show itself is a great way for young people to interact with others,” said Costello.
For Tucker Costello, who attends Southwick Regional School, his role as “Sam, the shoeshine boy,” is a “great role.”
“This is my third show with the Westfield Theatre Group,” said Costello, adding that the cast and crew make everyone feel “comfortable.”
A grandmother and granddaughter team – Theresa Allie who plays “Mamma” and Chloe Rosario, 9, who has one line and sings in the youth chorus – are both ecstatic about sharing the same stage.
“We’ve done church theater projects for years and I’ve seen Chloe’s confidence grow,” said Allie. “It’s awesome we are working together on this show.”
For Chloe Rosario, the feeling is mutual.
“I love to perform and our first show together is fun,” she said.
Two cousins are also taking the stage – Bethany White, 13, and Vivian Szostek, 12.
“I became interested in acting after taking drama at the Southampton Road School,” said White, who is a member of the teen chorus. “This is my third show with the Westfield Theatre Group and they are like a second family to me.”
Szostek said her inspiration for trying out for theatrical roles is from White.
“Bethany always inspires me and then I want to get involved,” said Szostek.
One husband and wife team has been performing in the theatre group for six years.
“This show is funny and I encourage parents to bring the kids who will love it,” said Elaine Hebert who will portray “Miss Abernathy.”
Mark Hebert, a member of the adult chorus, echoed those sentiments.
“The music is wonderful and the show is clean, family fun,” he said.
For mother and daughter teams, Jeanine DeLand, who is starring as the “waitress,” and her daughter, Lindsey, who is playing the role of “Marian Avery,” both said they encourage families to come out and see the show.
“It’s a nice family oriented show with a lot of laughs,” said Jeanine DeLand.
“The show is a nice way to sit down, relax and laugh,” added Lindsey DeLand.
Dunk and her daughter, Lila Dunk who portrays “Amanda Dorset,” are also inseparable when it comes to stage performances.
“Kids are so busy today so it’s a wonderful thing to share an experience like this,” said Marion Dunk.
For Lila Dunk, who has been performing on stage since middle school, this show was a nice challenge.
“When I heard all of the genres of music in this play I wanted to be a part of it,” said Lila Dunk, who will sing two songs. “The music is fantastic and the show has a way of bringing people together.”
For Palmer, she said her niece Jayne Gosselin, 13, was “born for the stage” and is a “natural.”
Gosselin, who is a member of the teen chorus, said she “loves” the cast and crew.
“It’s all about love,” said Gosselin, not only referencing her theatre group but also the show.
“I would encourage families to come and see the show,” said Gosselin. “Everyone will have a great time.”
Family ties in the production also include Peter Smith and his nephew Aaron Kielbasa; two brothers, Dawson Atkin and Parker Atkin; Jennifer Poutre, stage manager and her daughter, Victoria; Kurt Wildman and his daughter Molly; Ben Velevitch and his daughter Zoe, and husband and wife team Carol and Rock Palmer.
Cast members also include Jeremy Thayer, Kevin Montemagni, Nancy Colby, Jay Torres, Lauren Seslar, Joanne O’Donoghue, Laurie Furkey, Meaghan Farrell, and Jamie Collier.
Performances at the Westfield Woman’s Club on Court Street are slated Dec. 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Dec. 10.
The Westfield Theatre Group is a department of the Westfield Woman’s Club.
“The script and music of ‘Gift of the Magi’ are a living entity to us,” said Palmer, adding, “Our cast gives it life.”
