Everyone’s favorite schoolgirl in the bright yellow hat is back for some festive fun in France! Madeline, her friends, and teacher Miss Clavel are all looking forward to the holidays. But disaster strikes: everyone except Madeline gets the flu and can’t go home for Christmas! Can Madeline run the house, help everyone recover, and still find some holiday cheer? It’s “the season of miracles” and she just might need one! Don’t miss this Christmas charmer based on the beloved books.
Book and lyrics by Jennifer Kirkeby Music by Shirley Mier Based on the story by Ludwig Bemelmans
Artistic Credits Director: Kevin Ehrhart Musical Director: Kevin Smith Choreographer: Sue Gillespie Booton Scenic Design: Mark Parrott Lighting Design: Carson Gross Costume Design: Sherri Geerdes Production Stage Manager: Dani Taylor
Cast Miss Clavel: Wendy Eaton Mrs. Murphy: Mary Carrick Harsha: Walter Shatley M. Brun: Ryle Smith Madeline: Hayley Bryer (red cast), Mika Caplan (blue cast) Anne: Juliet McKaig Daphne: Gabrielle Zeger Camille: Gigi Hausman Kate: Katie Nguyen Juliette: Emma Kate Brown Amy: Jennifer Ettinger Mary: Julia Mathemeier Dominique: Sophie Keplinger Simone: Lillian Cohen Isabelle: Angela Gahan Regine: Maya Konwinski Mouse: Lorin King (red cast), Cora Zeger (blue cast)
One of my family’s holiday traditions is watching Bill Murray’s Scrooged. My favorite line from the film is at the end when Murray’s character says, “(This time of year) we are the people we always hoped we would be.” As I have been working on Madeline’s Christmas, it occurs to me that Madeline is the kind of person I always hoped I would be. She is brave, caring and resourceful when her friends are in need.
The Madeline series of books by Ludwig Bemelmans are filled with charming artwork and the impetuous main character of Madeline. However, I am moved the most by this final Bemelmans Madeline story. In Madeline’s Christmas, he seemed to place her in the next level of the hero’s journey allowing Madeline to sacrifice her own desires to help her friends through the holidays. This next level experience stirs up the forces of nature and changes the tide for all involved.
Of course, “all involved” includes you as well. As we are all experienceing this story of youth and good nature, we get a chance to have that wonderful feeling that every year there is an opportunity to be, “the people we always hoped we would be.” Please enjoy Madeline’s Christmas…and Bonne Année!
This show will be interpreted for the hearing impaired on Saturday, Dec. 1st at 2 pm.
Going to The Rose Guide It’s almost time for our next production, “Madeline’s Christmas.” We’ve assembled some special information to help you and your family to get ready. Before you go to the show, you might want to take a few moments to review this guide so everyone will know what to expect from the performance.
The Story You Will See Everyone’s favorite schoolgirl in the bright yellow hat is back for some festive fun in France! Madeline, her friends, and teacher Miss Clavel are all looking forward to the holidays. But after a fun-filled trip to the zoo, disaster strikes! All of the girls fall ill, except Madeline, preventing them from returning to their families for Christmas! All the responsibility falls on Madeline who must run the house, help everyone recover, and still find some holiday cheer. But when Madeline meets a mysterious rug salesman named Harsha there still may be hope for a Merry Christmas after all. Harsha’s unexpected arrival brings surprises and delights that will truly make this “the season of miracles”.
The Characters You Will Meet • Madeline – A brave young girl living at a boarding school with eleven other girls. Madeline Helps to make this Christmas especially memorable! • Miss Clavel – The loving boarding school governess who is responsible for the girls. • Monsieur Brun – The girls’ teacher of French history. • Harsha – The kind and mysterious rug salesman with magic up his sleeve. • Mrs. Murphy – The cook at the boarding school who spends Christmas with her large family. • Simone, Juliette, Kate, Dominique, Anne, Amy, Daphne, Isabelle, Camille, Regine, and Mary – The girls who live with Madeline at the boarding school. • Martin the Mouse- The tiniest resident at the boarding school.
Things to Know Before You Go • One of the characters in the play uses magic to bring good will to the girls. He is an agent of healing, flying carpets, and conjuring delectable treats. This magical character means that some of the story is realistic and some is imaginary fun. • This story is set in France. The actors will occasionally use French words to bring the characters and setting to life. Make sure your ears are ready for some new and interesting words – you might even enjoy researching some French phrases on the internet!
Topics for Dinnertime Discussion One of the best ways to enjoy a show is to talk about the story and the characters with others who attended. Below are some topics you may want to discuss.
Before the Show • Madeline is helped by a person who uses the power of magic. If you could have any magic power, what would it be? What would you do with your magic powers? • Madeline and her friends live in France. What do you already know about France? What kind of clothes do you think they wear? What language do they speak? What type of food do they eat? • Madeline and her friends are very excited about Christmas because they will go home and celebrate with their families. What is your favorite holiday? Do you have any special holiday traditions?
After the Show • Miss Clavel is left all alone at the boarding school when the girls go home for Christmas. She misses the girls a lot. Have you ever missed a friend who went on vacation or moved away? Did they come back? Did you keep in touch? • Madeline is very brave at the zoo. Miss Clavel, on the other hand, was afraid of Martin the Mouse when she first saw him. How would you feel if you saw a mouse in your house? Can you remember a time when you were really afraid of someone or something? How did you overcome your fear? How do you think Madeline became so brave? When was a time you were really brave? • “Madeline’s Christmas” tells the story of a compassionate girl who cooks, cleans, and takes care of her friends when they become sick. She also gives a stranger, Harsha, a warm place to rest. Have you ever helped someone out? What happened and how did it make you feel? What are some things you can do to show your family and friends that you care and to make this the best holiday season yet?
Awesome After-Show Activities After your family enjoys the show, you might want to try these fun activities at home to extend the experience! • Carpet Capers – Madeline and her friends receive special rugs that warm them with holiday cheer. Use graph paper and markers to create your own geometric design for a rectangular rug. Try creating a life-size version of your rug design using acrylic paints on a piece of canvas or cloth. • Soothe Someone Who’s Sick – Madeline’s schoolmates ending up being sick, which no one enjoys. You can cheer someone up with a “Get Well Soon!” gift basket. Collect items to make someone feel better – soup, hot tea, puzzles, games, books, and other fun treats. Arrange them in a gift bag or basket and deliver them to a sick friend or neighbor this winter. • Whip Up Some Winterwear – Madeline and Miss Clavel discover that scarves can really warm you up during the chill of winter. They also make great holiday gifts! Visit a fabric store to buy a small piece of fleece fabric in a friend’s favorite color or pattern. Add fringe or buttons or jewels to make a special wintertime gift for a friend.
