WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM NOVEMBER 17-23, 2021 UCW 15
It is Christmas time in 1944 and
the men are away fighting the war.
Despite their absence, the Carol
sisters are determined to celebrate
the season. e three Carol sisters
are trying to produce "A Christ-
mas Carol" but are having a hard
time without the men. is is the
premise for the next Gilbert eater
production.
"e show is special because it's
not going to be one of the same
Christmas or holiday shows you
can see every year," said Lawrence
Carlisle III, artistic director at the
Gilbert eater.
e Gilbert eater began in the
basement of Lynn Pryer's home
in 1994. e Gilbert eater has
hosted classical theater productions
as well as contemporary pieces. In
2012, Robyne Parrish took over as
artistic director of the Gilbert e-
ater. She started educational pro-
grams such as the Gilbert Conser-
vatory, Gilbert Rep and Gilbert Glee
Club. She also created a volunteer
base for the theater.
In February 2017, the third artistic
director, Matthew Overturf, re-
placed Robyne Parrish. e Gilbert
eater is a very intimate space. e
theater is now located at 116 Green
St., above Fayetteville's Fascinate-U
Children Museum. e entrance is
on Bow Street.
Popular in Pennsylvania, this is a
newer program.
It's heartfelt, cute and hilarious,
according to the Gilbert eater.
is is the second year performing
the show for Gilber eater and the
entire cast is back.
It gives people another chance to
see the musical if they missed it last
year due to the pandemic.
"Performing this musical for the
second year, everyone is connect-
ing and having so much fun," said
Eden Kinsey who plays the lead,
Lilly Carol. "I love her character.
Lilly is a very independent person.
She's telling the story. She is strong-
willed and hard-headed," explained
Kinsey.Because the Gilbert eater
is small, there are more opportuni-
ties," said Kinsey.
Kinsey's favorite part of "e Car-
ols" is the tap number. "I love the
music and period pieces."
It is a family show with a little bit
of everything, including different
styles of music. "As always, I hope
the audience has fun," said Carl-
isle. "e show is full of laughs and
heart. It is all about family."
"e Carols" will run Nov. 26 – 28,
Dec. 3 – 5 and Dec. 17 – Dec. 19. Fri-
day shows begin at 8 p.m.; Saturday
shows are at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun-
days shows begin at 2 p.m. Conces-
sions are available for donation.
Tickets are $18 and can be
purchased at the Gilbert eater
website, gilberttheater.com, or by
calling 910-678-7186.
EVENTS
Gilbert Theater "The Carols" full of
laughs, heart
by ELAINA J. MARTIN
ELAINA J. MARTIN, Staff Writer.
COMMENTS? editor@upandcomin-
gweekly.com. 910-484-6200.
Members of the Gilbert Theater's cast rehearse the newest Gilbert Theater produc-
tion "The Carol's." (Photo courtesy of the Gilbert Theater.)
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