Starlighters brings hope with ‘Christmas Dreams’

     While Thanksgiving is right around the corner, people everywhere are gearing up for the Christmas holiday season. That includes those working hard at Starlighters II Theatre to bring you “Christmas Dreams.”

     The production is directed by Charlotte Scheckel, assisted by Heather Sims.

     The show hits the stage on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Dec. 1-3, and returns the following weekend, Dec. 8-10.

     Obviously the play takes place at Christmas time, more precisely Christmas Eve. Scheckel said one of the reasons she liked this play so much was because it didn’t require any set changes. The play starts in the early afternoon and ends late on Christmas Eve.

     This is Scheckel’s second production she has directed. She also found the play due to lack of a holiday-themed show.

     “I found reference to it online,” said Scheckel. After reading the first 14 pages online, she said, “I needed to know how it ended.” So, Scheckel ordered a complete copy of “Christmas Dreams.”

     She said the subject matter in the play, set during the Great Depression, still holds true today.

     “We still have substance abuse and dysfunction in families today,” explained Scheckel. “Two-thirds of American families deal with some type of addiction. It’s an illness you don’t just get over. We need to love the person; hate the disease.”

     Despite the subject matter, the show is not a dark drama. Scheckel said it is intended for middle school-aged kids on up through adult.

     “Christmas Dreams” takes place in the early 1930s in Chicago. Abby, played by Linda Merritt, is the strong-willed matriarch of the family. Her grandson Jackie, played by Colin Heeren, wants to see his family (especially his father) escape the hard times plaguing them. Jackie’s father, Holmes, is played by Eric Henderson.

     Jackie seeks the kinship of a hobo on the streets, Omaha Red, portrayed by K.R. Knopp.

     Abby’s family descends on her home for the Christmas holiday, bringing everyone together in the end.

     The show also features several Christmas carolers to delight the crowd.

     “It’s a show of love and forgiveness,” said Scheckel.

     There are seven major characters to watch for.

     Scheckel was lucky that she had enough people try out for the various roles, filling them all.

     “Age-specific actors are hard to find,” she admitted, especially teenage boys.

     This cast of “Christmas Dreams” stems from not only Jones County, but Linn County as well.

     With just over a week to go until opening night, Scheckel said there is some character work to tighten up.

     Having been with Starlighters since 2003, most people don’t know Scheckel’s main role during most productions. She’s usually inside the sound/light booth, a trade she said she “fell into.”

     When Scheckel was principal at St. Patrick School in Anamosa, she approached Starlighters to see if the school could borrow some lights for a school production. Those running the booth at the time asked Scheckel whether she would want to learn the secrets to the trade. The rest is history, as they say.

     “I just started learning on the job,” she added.

     Shortly after Starlighters moved into their new theater location in July 2014, they switched to a whole new sound and light system as well. With the help of grants, they were able to upgrade the lights to LEDs.

     “It’s been a learning experience, and now I’m teaching others,” said Scheckel.

     Typically Scheckel runs the booth solo, unless the production calls for multiple sound and light cues.

     “Then I bring in some help,” she said.

     With Scheckel taking on the role of director, she sought the assistance on Kevin Sims to run the booth this time around.

     Scheckel said directing can be a fun gig. For her, it has allowed her to witness the actors develop and become their individual characters.

     “They tend to lose themselves in their characters,” she said. “It’s quite a transformation.”

     “Christmas Dreams” is a must-see during the holidays.

     “It’s a play that inspires,” encouraged Scheckel. “It puts you in the true spirit of Christmas, the spirit of hope.”

     Tickets for “Christmas Dreams” went on sale Nov. 20 at the Box Office or online. Call 319-462-4793 or visit www.starlighters.org today.