‘Life and Adventures of Santa Claus’ play to open Dec. 1

Possum Point Players and sponsor Service Today present a holiday production for the entire family, “The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus.”

Performances are set for Friday to Sunday, Dec. 1 to 3, and Dec. 8 to 10, Possum Hall, 441 Old Laurel Road, Georgetown. 

Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for seniors and students. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. All seats are reserved. To purchase tickets, go to possumpointplayers.org or call 302-856-4560.

Many of the more than a dozen actors portray more than one character throughout the play. One that audiences first saw as a gnome might next be Knook. Even queens of Awgwas can swap crowns and become an imp of another royalty while an Awgwa may next prance in as a reindeer.

Cast members represent seven different communities in Southern Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Those from Georgetown are Abbey Ruark, Claudius Bowden and Braeden Swain. Residents of Salisbury, Md., are Matt Hatfield, Morgan McLane, Devon Lynch and Caroline Lewis. Kerrine Walls is from Dagsboro; Dick Pack is from Lewes; and Denise Baker is from Frederica. Susannah Griffin is from Rehoboth Beach; Jason Felker is from Milford; and Melody Westphal is from Sussex County.

“The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus” might sound like a new holiday story, but the play is taken from an L. Frank Baum story written in 1902. The same author who wrote “The Wizard of Oz” shared the secret of how the Santa most people now know grew into the jolly, caring gift-giver who loves the children of the world. Baum reveals the story of how little Claus was found by a kindly nymph, Necile, who raised him as her own in a mystical land of Knooks and faeries, and even the scary Awgwas.

As Claus grows, he learns of children who live outside the immortals’ world who are often terrorized by those same awful Awgwas who cause trouble in his adopted homeland. Hearing of sad and frightened children on earth brings on his determination to show love and kindness to all the children of the world. Even if it means leaving the land of the immortals. And even if it means learning to build toys and to drive flying reindeer and to spread happiness and joy with a merry “Ho Ho Ho.”

Playwright Pat Cook adapted the tale for the stage and Possum Point Players bring it to Delaware for the holidays. Logan Hunter Lynch of Georgetown directs “The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus.”

The holiday production is suitable for all audiences. There is free parking at Possum Hall, and a bar and snack cart are available for refreshments.