By Simon Baker, student news writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky, - Campbellsville University's Department of Theatre and Dance, Town Hall Productions and Heritage Children Services will present “The Great Christmas Cookie Bake-Off” Thursday, Dec. 7 to Sunday, Dec. 10 in the Russ Mobley Theatre, 114 University Drive, Campbellsville.
Show times are at 7 p.m., on Thursday, Dec. 7, Friday, Dec. 8, Saturday Dec.9; and 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 10.
“The Great Christmas Cookie Bake-Off” is a musical and a cookie bake-off competition that “combines the time-honored tradition of Christmas cookies with the ever-popular phenomenon of reality baking competitions.”
The synopsis explains, “In this musical, eight young cookie chefs have been selected from all over the country to battle it out for first prize at the Cookie Coliseum. Just as no two cookies are the same, each contestant reveals their unique personality through song. Suspense mounts as the chefs are eliminated one by one, by three distinguished celebrity judges.”
“Over the course of the competition, feelings of intense rivalry give way to virtues of charity, family, and forgiveness, as the chefs learn what really makes for a winning Christmas recipe.”
The cast list is as follows: Sophia Santos as Hailey; Nora Harris, a sophomore from Breeding, Ky., as Gabreilla; Jackson Hays as Logan; Henslee Grubesic as Brianna; Chloe McFarland as Julian; August Garrett as Josh; Brooke Higgins as Mackenzie;
Selah Engle as Amelia; Channing Young, a senior from Lebanon, Ky., as Malcolm Finch; Rachel Henderson, as Isabella Bloom; Brenton Woosley, a junior from Harned, Ky., as Del Ray; Natalia Acosta as Mrs. Beasley; Suzanne Grubesic as Gabriella's mom;
Malarie Drake, a junior from Bowling Greenm Ky., as Grandma.
Crew members for the production are as follows: Star Garrett, director of the Russ Mobley Theatre and professor of theater at Campbellsville University, will serve as director and set designer. Cyndi Chadwick is the music director. Kaleb Trent, a post-baccalaureate student from Campbellsville, Ky. is the choreographer.
Alia MCclendon, community theatre manager for Campbellsville University, is the production manager and lighting designer. Daniel Hall, assistant professor of theatre and technical director of theatre and dance, is the production's technical director and sound engineer.
Andrew Ward, director of Town Hall Productions, is the producer for the production. Gavin Johnson, a senior from Campbellsville, Ky., is costume designer.
Lacey Miller, a sophomore from Radcliff, Ky., is the properties manager. Emma-Kait Grider, a senior from Columbia, Ky., is a part of the properties crew, alongside Kyla O'Lynn, a freshman from Ashland, Ky. Grider is also overseeing costumes for the production.
Lightboard Operator is Everest Garrett. Emily Burchett, a sophomore from Greensburg, Ky., is stage manager. Priscilla Wilson, a junior from Lebanon, Ky., is assistant stage manager. Jon Carey, a sophomore from Bowling Green, Ky., is production assistant stage manager.
Young, Elizabeth Wiggins, a freshman from Louisville, Ky.; and Burchett, Jon McIntosh, a junior from Beattyville, Ky., are all part of scenic carpentry and scenic paint artists.
Corporate sponsors are Community Trust Bank, Tucker Family Medicine, Campbellsville Dental Care, Todd Conley: State Farm Greensburg, The White Orchid and Renee Dobson Realty Group.
General Admission is $12. Admission for children under 12 and seniors 65 and over is $8. Cost of admission for Campbellsville University employees and students is $8. Tickets are available at townhallpro.com.
Online ticket sales will end at noon the day of the production. From that point, tickets can be reserved by calling (270) 283-0566 or purchased at the door while supplies last.
To make special requests for handicapped seating, call (270) 789-5266.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs of study including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.