Stage and Cinema: Extra! Extra! Santa Caught on Tape with Rag Doll!
By Eve Meadows
If your little ones are aching for some color and Christmas and you’re looking for a critical and commercial success from Chicago to entertain them, well here it is. Last year, the premiere of Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas – The Musical was caught and captured so you can catch the contagion with your kids, who will go from screaming around the house to streaming quiet as a mouse.
Based on the heartfelt book of the same name by Chicagoan Denise McGowan Tracy, this wide-eyed wholesome frolicking musical is about rag doll Eleanor who lives in the magical world of The North Pole. Despite her love for her family there, including Santa, Mrs. “Cookie” Claus, Clara Claus, and the elves – Twinkle, Sprinkle, and Sparkle, Eleanor wishes for a best friend and home of her own.
This production with its awesome singing and dancing will be available to stream November 27 – December 27, 2020 directly into homes for $25 per household. And a little elf told me that if you know other families with wishes of their own you can get a discount by using the code HOHOHO20 for them and your own household.
Adding to the fun is the availability of two immersive Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Party in a Box options, ranging in price from $45 – $60 plus shipping and handling fees. The Box choices offer additional family fun with items inspired by the production. Shipped from The North Pole’s special Chicago-based distribution center, the Super Fun Sprinkle & Sparkle Box ($45) includes a softcover copy of the book that inspired the show, a 2020 Eleanor Christmas keepsake ornament, Eleanor’s own stationery notepad and pencil for children to write their letters to Santa, and four (4) holiday fun hats. The Super Duper Fun Eleanor Box ($60) features all items in the Sprinkle & Sparkle Box with a hardcover book, cookie cutter with recipe card, and Twinkle’s favorite reindeer ring toss game.
Starring are Samantha Bonzi as Eleanor, Scott Gryder as Sprinkle, Lindsey Jane Bullen as Twinkle, Emily Rohm as Holly/Clara, Sydney Swanson as Noelle, Erin Parker as Mrs. “Cookie” Claus, Kim Green as Sparkle, David Turrentine as Santa, Claire Latourette as Glimmer, and Cara Chumbley as Shimmer.
Ms. Tracy has decided to pay a Chicago cast this year to stream this archival production of the delightful holiday story, so ticket sales also help the actors who have been so hard hit by the shuttering of Chicago theaters. Now that’s a merry present.