Ganado Townhall Players’ first show wows crowd

By Jessica Coleman
Staff Writer
    By all accounts, Ganado’s Townhall Players knocked it out of the park with their inaugural performance on Friday, Dec. 2. The production, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, starred Jackson County locals, including more than a handfull of Ganado children.
     Over 30 cast members, as well as numerous crew, managers, and technical team members had their hands in making the first Ganado community theater event come to pass.
    “Oh my gosh, its a dream come true,” said Director Jonel Knuppel, “It was so much fun. The kids were unbelievable. Their talent is incredible, and for so many of them this was their first time they’ve ever done anything like this and they were just natural on the stage.”
    The crowd Ganado Auditorium was abuzz with excitement after the show, with cast members signing autographs and basking in the success and positive receipt of the show by the crowd, and some of the first-time actors reflected on their efforts to make sure the play went off without a hitch.
    Candace Barrow, who played Beth Bradley, said learning her lines was the hardest part, but after that it was all fun.
    Abigail Hughes, an eighth grader at Ganado Junior High played Imogene Herdman and said her struggle wasn’t with the learning of the lines, but the delivery. Imogen Herdman is a less-than-tactful character, and some of her lines were definitely not in line with the Christian beliefs Hughes grew up with. In the end, she delivered her lines flawlessly.
    The Townhall Players are planning another production for the Spring, and ask anyone interested in acting, technical roles, or any other position with the organization to keep their eyes open for news regarding the next show. 
    The production was followed by a 2:30 p.m. show on Sunday, Dec. 4.