There's no need to lure him with milk and cookies.
Santa Claus is coming to town Dec. 6 and he'll be entertaining anyone with a ticket to see the Vagabond Players' production of Dear Santa, at the Bernie Legge Theatre starting Dec. 6.
This family-friendly comedy takes place at the North Pole, where Santa's workshop is abuzz with pre-Christmas preparations and the elves under pressure because of a supply shortage.
"It's about the spirit of Christmas and regaining that, and learning how to do and share and be with others," said producer Ann Webster, who has been a member of the Vagabond Players for more than 25 years.
The company has been producing plays, musicals and pantomimes continuously for the past 75 years at the Bernie Legge Theatre in Queen's Park.
On average, the Players produce five plays each year.
Though the group has steadfastly produced live theatre for over seven decades, the popularity of theatre in New Westminster has waxed and waned in that time, Webster noted.
She herself got involved after she finished high school and became a member of the company in the early '80s.
"In 1982 a lot of people in their 20s were out of work, so we ended up at the theatre going, 'Well, what are we going to do?'. so we ended up at the theatre doing a ton of stuff."
The '80s and early '90s saw many people of all ages involved in the local theatre scene, Webster said, and at that time the group produced up to six shows a year.
These days, however, theatre seems to have dropped off the radar for the majority of people under 40, she noted.
"I think technology has just taken a lot of the attention from a lot of the arts programs and things because I find so many more people are involved with what's online, with social media, and I think we've sort of forgotten how to interact with each other in person," she said.
To counter this downward trend, the Vagabond Players want to encourage high school students to meet up at the Bernie Legge Theatre to both practise their stagecraft skills and learn every facet of theatre while having fun after school, said Webster.
Of course, the company also wants to encourage anyone of any age to come out to see the latest play.
Dear Santa, by Norm Foster, runs about two hours with a 15-minute intermission.
Jacqollyne Keath directs a cast of 16, which includes local actors Sue Sparlin (Santa Claus), Jim Bjorkes (a sleigh salesman), Faith Hurd (Yeegads/Michael Bishop), Andra Louie (Mrs. Bishop) and Suzanne Biehl (Phooey the elf/ choir).
The curtain rises Dec. 6 to 23, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinées at 2 p.m. and a bonus Saturday mat-ineé at 2 p.m. on Dec. 22.
The Bernie Legge Theatre is located in Queen's Park, behind the Arenex.
Tickets are $15, or $13 for seniors and students with valid ID.
Two-for-one preview tickets will be available for the Dec. 6 and 7 shows.
To reserve tickets, call 604-5210412 or email [email protected].
For more information, visit www.vagabondplayers.ca.
