Madison High School Student Directs Locals In Holiday Musical

Dickens’ workhouses and colorful orphans come to life in Elvira Woodruff’s The Christmas Doll, a musical production for kids and families. The show, which will be directed by a Madison High School student, will open at the Madison Community House Friday, Dec. 12 at 6:30 pm.

Directed by Madison High School Junior Kathryn McManus, this show features a cast of 20 girls, ages 7 to 15, from the Madison community and surrounding towns.

The show will also be performed Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. as well as the Friday opening production. Suggested donation is $10 per person and tickets can be purchased at the door or by emailing McManus at spotlightkidscompany@gmail.com.

Set in 1840’s London, the story follows Lucy and Glory Wolcott, two orphaned sisters played by Lily O’Hara-Short, age 12, and Elise Hart, age 9, both of Madison. When a deadly fever sweeps through the workhouse where the Wolcotts live, the girls escape to the mean street of London, where they encounter many spirited children, including the young street urchin, Nick Button, played by Hope Pratt, age 13, of Madison. The show runs for 90 minutes.

This is McManus’ third dramatic production since beginning her directing career at age 12, with Laurel’s Gift, an original play she produced at Grace Church in 2012. In the past three years, her Spotlight Kids Company has given more than 30 kids a chance to perform a leading role on stage.

Last fall’s production of Anne of Green Gables was performed to sold-out audiences at the Madison Community House and received rave reviews. Morristown High School Senior Madeline Humphrey joined forces with McManus to help direct The Christmas Doll. For more information on Spotlight Kids Company, a non-profit organization that McManus founded this year, click here.

Pictured in the back row, from left: Christmas Doll cast members Katerina Rettino, Vanessa Trimble, Jasmine Weber, Camryn Morales, Susan Wilson, Natalie Mauro, Rebecca Eisner, Elizabeth McManus, Fiona Doherty, and Kristin McManus. Front row, from left: Avery Benjamin, Elise Hart, Lily O’Hara-Short, and Hope Pratt, all from Madison. Missing from photo is Carolyn Bishop of Convent Station, Julia Turner of New Providence, and Olivia Mangs of Madison.

Photo courtesy: Mary Lea Crawley