BROWNSTOWN — A couple on their way to greet the arrival of their first grandchild.
A newly widowed grandmother on her way to spend Christmas with her family.
A divorced mother and her young daughter who is afraid Santa won’t be able to find her on his overnight delivery.
A married couple with their 5-week-old adopted daughter.
A software salesman who departed on his work trip after a bitter argument with his wife.
A young Navy seaman with an engagement ring in his pocket anxious to reach his hometown sweetheart.
On Christmas Eve during a snowstorm, these strangers on a train to Boston are stranded in a train station, which has been shut down due to the weather.
The passengers hope to take flights from Boston to their Christmas destinations, and the disappointed and dispirited travelers try to make the best of things with little success.
Eventually, however, they come to realize the true spirit of Christmas can be found among strangers and the memory of this night will be a “gift to remember.”
Jackson County Community Theatre is putting on the production of “A Gift to Remember,” a play based on the book “Can This Be Christmas” by Debbie Macomber and adapted by Joseph Robinette.
It will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10 at Royal Off-the-Square Theatre in Brownstown.
Director Joel McGill said he picked the show because he thought the community needed something that was uplifting.
In the first act, the characters each have different problems, and the strangers wind up becoming friends as their issues are revealed. The spirit of Christmas is an essential part of the play, McGill said.
“There are a lot of Christmas plays that don’t have that, so that’s the main reason I picked the play,” he said. “Everybody goes through a change in this, and it is a good play to show that. … It shows that none of us are perfect and we can work (out problems) together, we can make do with what we have and be happy with it.”
The JCCT production features a good mix of veterans and newcomers.
John Boyken is among those familiar with the stage, both as actor and director. He plays the role of Matt, the software salesman.
“I had no idea what characters were with this show,” he said. “Joel asked me to play Matt, I read it and I was like, ‘Wow! That’s a lot of pathos and a lot of evolution of one character in such a small, tight, 54-page script.’ He goes from being a complete scrooge to happy, so it has been a lot of work trying to portray that internally. It has been a nice, fun little challenge. It’s nice to be able to play something a little more grounded for a change.”
Matt realizes the things that are important to him and understands people liking each other is almost as important as loving each other.
“I think that’s true. Love is a choice, and it’s really that part and that transition where Matt then makes up with his wife,” he said. “It’s just a beautiful idea. … You can’t fall in and out of love. Love is a verb, not really a feeling.”
Cinda Burris, one of the newcomers, plays the role of Matt’s wife, Pam, and also is in the choir that stops by the train station.
“I think she seems strong and lets (Matt) know how she’s really feeling,” she said. “I like that (the show) is teaching patience and to make the best of a bad situation.”
Kyle Kieser said it’s also his first time being in a play. He plays the role of Nick, who is just getting into adulthood with a wife and a baby.
Christmas is his favorite time of year, so this show is perfect for him. Plus, he likes the storyline.
“Strangers coming to a train station, don’t know anybody, all of them have their own problems going on, trying to get somewhere, trying to get home in time so they can see their children for Christmas, and then even through all of the chaos going on, at the same time, they are still reaching out and communicating,” he said. “I have a new family, a perspective of we’re all stuck here together and trying to learn, to grow together.”
Tom Oktavec plays the role of the station master trying to manage the chaotic situation and put the people at ease. He said he hasn’t been in a play since 1989.
“The holidays is a very emotional time for a lot of people. There are good emotions, bad emotions, anger, love, everything else,” he said. “But it shows how even complete strangers can come together at this time and celebrate the season.”
Derrick Maxie portrays Len, the Navy seaman, in the show. He has been onstage and backstage at local community theaters and likes the message of “A Gift to Remember.”
“I just believe that even in the biggest of chaos that there’s still just a tiny bit of Christmas hope and miracle that everyone will still make it in time for the holidays,” he said. “Even though most of the characters are adults, I believe that it’s really good how there’s a child in this whole play because that right there is kind of like the attention-getter to where it’s the child that brings everybody together who has the Christmas spirit.”
If you go
What: Jackson County Community Theatre’s production of “A Gift to Remember”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10
Where: Royal Off-the-Square Theatre, 121 W. Walnut St., Brownstown.
Tickets: $12 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens (available online at jcct.org, at Artistic Impressions in Seymour and Ewing Unique Boutique in Brownstown or by calling 812-358-5228)
Director: Joel McGill
Production manager: Sarah McGill
Light and sound technician: Paul Keller
Cast: John Boyken, Kyle Kieser, Leanne Hanson, Mark Nolting, Peggy Rein, Derrick Maxie, Joyce Corya, MaryAnna Moore, Elin Dick, Tom Oktavec, Nathan Parker, Cinda Burris, Destiny Long, Karen Haas