“Santa’s Got the Flu, Now What’s an Elf Supposed to Do?” to Premiere Nov. 21

GCCC

[Garden City, KS] Nov. 14, 2019 – The College Players of Garden City Community College will be premiering “Santa’s Got the Flu, Now What’s an Elf Supposed to Do?” next week, just in time for the holiday season.

This original musical will allow audiences to get into that good old Christmas spirit, full of laughs and giggles, and also explores the true meaning of Christmas. The play is written, composed, directed, choreographed, and designed entirely by students, according to Phil Hoke, GCCC’s theatre director.

Because the production has been entered as a participating show in Region V of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, GCCC students involved will have the opportunity to compete for both regional and national awards in writing, music composition, choreography, and set design, Hoke added.

“We’re really excited about this show in that it is showcasing the skills and talents of all of our students,” he said. “This is sure to be a family treat for all who are able to attend.”

It’s Steven Wade Freeman’s first attempt at writing a musical, one made specifically for children. Freeman, a non-traditional GCCC student, is the playwright, lyricist, and director of the production. Developing a musical from scratch, especially one designed for a young audience, has been an especially fun undertaking, according to the playwright.

“Beginning any new project is always exciting, but starting something you’ve never attempted before is even more of a delightful challenge,” Freeman said.

In addition to Freeman’s writing and direction, GCCC students A.B. Licon and Rheann Rodenbur have also made significant contributions to the final production. This is Licon’s first attempt to compose an entire score for a musical, and Rodenbur’s set design of Santa’s workshop creates a magical winter wonderland filled with beauty and surprise.

Showings begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, Friday, Nov. 22, and Saturday, Nov. 23, in the auditorium inside the Pauline Joyce Fine Arts Building. A Sunday, Nov. 24, matinee begins at 2:30 p.m., also in the auditorium.

Children 12 and under will be admitted for free, and audience members ages 13-17 can either pay a $5 entrance fee or gain free admission with a toy donation towards the Fill-A-Ford campaign, in partnership with GCCC’s Collegiate Farm Bureau. Adults ages 18 and up are $10 per ticket.

Hoke said all proceeds from “Santa’s Got the Flu” will be used to help the College Players – GCCC’s theatre students – attend the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival which will be held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in January 2020. Donations are always welcome, Hoke added.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Mark Scheopner, JOYC Building Secretary, at mark.scheopner@gcccks.edu or 620-276-9540.

Higher resolution images are available to the press upon request. Garden City Community College exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.