Get ready for the latest Dessert Theater performance
Following up their comedic MASH performance, Selkirk United Church is bringing Christmas Belles by Jones Hope Wooten to the stage at the Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School. The performance will be directed by Melanie Shumilak and is another comedy featuring squabbling sisters, family secrets, a surly Santa, a vengeful sheep and a reluctant Elvis impersonator.
“One of our actors had actually seen this done in Beausejour and she really enjoyed it,” said Shumilak.
She explained that this play fit into all of the group’s needs from fitting the stage properly, to being appealing to our local audience, and being something the actors really enjoyed.
“In the end, you have to go with what feels right for everybody. We landed on this one, it’s family-friendly, there’s nothing even PG in the play, and we just thought for Christmas this year, let’s do something fun and Christmassy and silly,” she said.
The play is set in Texas and Shumilak says that the actors have been working on their southern drawls.
“There are three sisters who are very colourful characters. They are real Texas women, but they have very different personalities. One is a pregnant mother of twins and this is their second set of twins. The oldest set being 20-years-old. We have a jailbird sister and we have a sister with a past with a reputation. She is directing this year’s pageant to redeem her reputation,” said Shumilak.
The idea for dessert theater came about 21 years ago. Back then it was a six-week sprint to get the production together. Now there is a great deal of planning, practice, and design work that the over 75 volunteers put into the production.
The play will have four different showings. One is their calorie-wise option on Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. Tickets to this performance are $20 and there is no dessert included. The other three performances include the full dessert experience. Tickets are $30 and they take place on Nov. 24 at 7 p.m., Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. for those preferring a matinee.
“We do the play, and then everybody heads down to the cafeteria at the high school afterwards for dessert,” explained Chris Yuzdepski, producer of Christmas Belles.
The desserts change every year and are high-end themed creations. Everyone’s favourites including cheesecake and key lime pie will be there and there will also be a gluten-free optio as well an option for people with diabetes.
“Our audience comes out and they have coffee and cheesecake and the actresses and Madam Director come in and they get a chance to congratulate them and cheer them on. Then everybody gets to sit and visit with their friends,” said Yuzdepski.
She explained that they are about to break the 15,000 attendee mark for people who have come to the plays over the years.
“It’s local. It’s affordable. You’re not going to the city and paying for parking. And, they’re good. They’re good quality. I’ve heard people say this is equal to what we would see on MTC. Not everyone [says that] but there’s a talented bunch of people out here,” said Yuzdepski.
Everyone is welcome to purchase a ticket and attend the performance. Tickets are available by calling 204-785-9614.
