Grand Prairie Art Council’s first Uptown production to be a big one

by Kirk Dickey of Grand Prairie TODAY

Performers and organizers with the Grand Prairie Arts Council's holiday show got an early Christmas presents last month when they got to move into the Uptown Theater for the first time.

“It's absolutely wonderful,” GPAC Executive Director Libby Clawson said. “I've been telling people it feels like home. It feels like we've always been there.”

The cast and crew moved into the theater in mid-November, working in the black box theater area and was able to move onto the main stage late in the month. The group gets a lot of time to work in the theater, because the Uptown's official schedule does not kick off until Dec. 19, with The Three Redneck Tenors.

Clawson said the extra time was good, because it allows them to learn the theater inside and out, figuring out how the curtains and lights work, and staging the production for maximum effect.

“It's a good thing that we have this extra time with this show, so that we can learn how to do it, so when we have only a week on the main stage, we can do it,” she said.

The time is especially good, because the GPAC has a cast of 48 performers for its production of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, some of whom will take part in a choral element to the show. It's the invention of director Denise Rodrigue, who wanted to make sure as many people as possible were able to take part.

“My feeling is that if you are doing community theater and community auditions, use the community,” Rodrigue said. “We tried to find something for everybody to do and something they can do well.”

A teen chorus will sing carols used in the 1800s, but most will sound familiar to modern ears. The chorus will sing Christmas carols throughout the production and ferry “Scrooge” to various destinations in the play.

“This is the first time I have ever done it this way,” she said.

Also new this year is the man playing Scrooge himself.

Regional actor Mark Rios will play Ebenezer. He is coming in from Dallas to play the part.

“He's been wonderful working with community actors,” Rodrigue said. “I think everybody is really impressed that he is here.”

Rodrigue said he is definitely a performer to watch during the play.

Of course, Clawson said the whole production is going to be a big series for them, finally giving them a home to match the quality of show they put together.

“It's all come natural, because we know how to do a professional production,” she said. “We just needed a professional venue to put it in.”

Showtimes are Dec. 11-13 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 14 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10, $15 and $20 each; with discounts for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more. Purchase tickets online at www.artsgp.com, or through the Uptown Theater Box at 972-237-UPTN.