Dec 12-Dec 21, 2003
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Christmas unplugged - A classic Dylan Thomas story recalls simpler times
- By Cheryl Thornburg, Las Cruces Sun News [ Dec. 14, 2003 ]
There are so many holiday specials on TV and on stage every December: "A Christmas Carol," "The Nutcracker," "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas," all of which are very familiar. But there are some true holiday treasures that are less well known. This year, No Strings Theatre Company offers one such holiday treat.
"A Child's Christmas in Wales" is a classic story by Dylan Thomas that looks back on a much simpler time and place when family gatherings and snowball fights were the norm - long before DVDs, television and video games. The production is a reading of Thomas' classic tale featuring veteran actor Tom Smith as the author and different community members reading the minor parts at each production.
Smith is animated and his eyes gleam as he recounts the Christmas memories of Thomas' boyhood. His aunts and uncles and friends come to life as Smith vividly tells stories about them.
Their attributes and antics are sometimes not very flattering, but Smith describes them with such fondness that it evokes only positive feelings.
The show leaves one longing for, and trying to plan, a less commercial holiday season.
In addition to Smith, Friday night's readers included Mercedes Benavidez, Nicki Wolf, K.C. Cherkasky, Wilma Hutson and Kimmarie Hartley. Various patrons, volunteers and donors to NSTC have been invited to participate in each show, so each show may be slightly different.
The reading lasts about a half hour and is followed by a reception after each show.
No seating plan has been posted.