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by Paula Gail Benson 

COVID changed a lot of activities, including one that is dear to me: working with our actors and crew in our church’s drama ministry. In 2020, we had to cancel our bi-annual production of the Living Last Supper (just after we had received a new back drop for the stage) and our last December presentation was given in 2019.

Finally, this year, we were able to resume the Living Last Supper at Easter. As the Fall approached, I began getting a lot of questions about what we would be doing for the holiday season.

 

I had planned to write a new musical based on a short story by a good friend, retired Judge Bert Goolsby. I spoke with him and his wife Prue in the summer and both were enthusiastic to see his “A Christmas Tale,” in which a drunken Santa Claus must be defended by a disgraced attorney, presented on stage.

Then, in October, I received a call that Prue was in the hospital. She had pancreatic cancer.

I went with a friend and former co-worker to visit her. We were fortunate that she was still able to communicate with us. Again, I mentioned writing a play from Bert’s short story. He and Prue encouraged me to do so. In fact, Bert asked if there was a role for him.

Since it takes place in a courtroom, we needed a judge. Bert was a natural.

There wasn’t time to write music, so I concentrated on developing a one act, which I called A Santa Claus Story. Then, I received word that Prue passed away.

Bert continued to say he wanted to go forward with the play. I assembled a group of actors. We had numerous obstacles to overcome. One actor had COVID and did not test negative for the virus until the end of our rehearsal period. Fortunately, he was a quick study. Another actor was helping as a care giver for a person in another state. It became difficult to get everyone together for a run through, but we persevered.

 

We presented the production as a dinner theater. The price of the meal had gone up by a third, but we kept the charge to the audience low and subsidized the remaining costs with contributions.

In addition, as we usually do, we selected a “cast project” for which we solicited donations. This year, the project was the Veteran Experience Action Center (VEAC), a program sponsored by the American Legion Department of South Carolina in partnership with the SC Department of Veteran Affairs and US Veteran Affairs Regional Office, that assists eligible veterans and their dependents with any questions they have about VA healthcare benefits including VA disability claims, appeals, or other healthcare issues. We were incredibly pleased to raise $700 for the VEAC.

Thanks to several co-workers who volunteered their time, talents, and items they found and created, we were able to decorate the set and the tables, giving our auditorium a festive atmosphere. Our cast included: John Arnold as Nickie Claus; Mark Wade as the attorney Alva Fortuna; Tim Clark and Janie Fulmer as members of the Manger Society (collecting for charities); Jan Jenny and Brenda Brinkley Byrd as a couple engaged for 15 years; Sid Ballentine as the arresting and prosecuting officer; and Bert Goolsby as the judge. Billy Itter ran lights and sound.

 Have you been able to resume theatrical activities since COVID?