SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Cultural Council hosted its annual “Celebrate the Season” event on Sunday, December 16. The performance, Virginia’s Holiday, a story from 1897, whereby Dr. Philip O’Hanlon, a coroner’s assistant on Manhattan’s Upper Westside, was asked by his then eight-year-old daughter, Virginia, whether Santa Claus really existed. Dr. Hanlon suggested she write The Sun, a prominent New York newspaper, assuring her that “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” O’Hanlon unwittingly gave one of the paper’s editors an opportunity to rise above the simple question and address the philosophical issues behind it.
The performance was casted by (left to right) Senator Michael Knapik as Papa O’Hanlon, Jaymi Gallant as Virginia, Kathy Palmer as Grandma, Cindy Gallant as Mama, Lily Barden as Sarah, Noah Zander as Freddy, and Parker Atkins as Johnny. Not pictured are Susan Yates, Myia Gilday, Kassidy Gallant, and Noah Kielbasa who portrayed the neighbors of the O’Hanlons, and Joan Perkins-Smith as Mrs. Throckmutton and who also directed the play.
