As fall semester winds down at Ferrum College, sessions of hammering and harmonious singing expand inside Schoolfield Hall, with the Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre (BRDT) and Performing Arts program preparing their second production of Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas for performances Dec. 5-15.
Program Coordinator Emily Blankenship-Tucker, who directs the play and music in addition to playing Ma Otter, says they are honored to introduce new folks to the magic of Emmet Otter.
“(It was good to) start a holiday tradition that caused nostalgic audience members to talk about their happy memories of childhood (last year, so that now it feels) like something to look forward to at this time in Ferrum.”
The musical is based on a 1971 picture book by Russell and Lillian Hoban, inspired by O. Henry’s short story “The Gift of the Magi”. In a river town called Waterville, Mayor Fox announces a Christmas talent contest.
Ma and Emmet Otter, struggling to get by since Pa died, both hope secretly that winning the prize of $50 would allow them to buy the other a special Christmas gift. With trepidation, they both sacrifice essential possessions in order to prepare for the contest. Emmet’s new jug band playing “Brothers” and Ma’s inspiring song “Our World” compete with some hilarious acts as the contest unfolds on stage.
In 1977, Jim Henson used his Muppets and songs by Paul Williams to turn the Hobans’ animal fantasy into a television special that became an annual holiday favorite for many viewers, including Blankenship-Tucker. The theatrical adaptation by Timothy Allen McDonald and Christopher Gattelli, which opened in Connecticut in 2008 with human actors and puppets, was later revived in New York and then last year in Chicago–and the Village of Ferrum. The Ferrum theatre faculty took a chance, like Ma and Emmet Otter, and acquired the only license to perform this show to date outside of Timothy Allen McDonald and Music Theater International (MTI).
“The show at Ferrum will be authentic,” said McDonald after researching Ferrum’s drama traditions. “You are where the show would take place, so it is exciting to have it on stage there.”
Only Ferrum is staging the show this year. And only in Ferrum’s production have the actors in the jug band played their own instruments. They all have experience performing with traditional instruments such as washtub bass, washboard, and kazoo in Ferrum’s 49-year-old touring company, the Jack Tale Players. Blankenship-Tucker believes the show represents the values of the community.
“People here feel connected to it,” she said, “(In the) spirit of the season and hope.”
Performances are in Schoolfield Hall’s Sale Theatre with meals available next door in Franklin Hall, served by the cast. The shows are Dec. 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, and 14 at 7 p.m. (dinner at 5:30), and December 8, 10 and 15 at 2 p.m. (lunch at 12:30). Meals must be ordered in advance and tickets can be reserved at https://www.ferrum.edu/theatre-showings.
Preparing the second production has given the company time to fine-tune performances, puppets, and the elaborate set surrounded by snowbanks, which features a large cranky—a device that creates the impression of moving landscape when Emmet and Ma row down the river. Mary Turner of Indigo Signs in Rocky Mount and Bruce Burgess of Bruce Burgess Art in Danbury, NC, have helped as scenic designers since last year.
“Never content to let things be,” Blankenship-Tucker says, “(They are) working on surprises and new elements that audiences will find delightful.”
A number of cast members are reprising their roles from last year, such as Burgess’ son Django Burgess, sophomore, who plays Wendell Porcupine and builds sets, while others have changed roles, and some are new to this cast. Rachel Blankenship-Tucker, returning as both co-director and Harvey Beaver, also took on a new role playing drums in the Nightmare Band. The stage manager is English Professor Tina Hanlon. Assistant stage managers are Alumni and Theatre Intern TJ Baker ‘24, who designs makeup and plays the mayor’s vain and deceitful wife Gretchen Fox; and Aryahna Tyree, sophomore, who can be seen around the theatre practicing the banjo every day for her new role as Charlie Muskrat.
Continuing the traditions of the Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre started by Rex Stephenson in 1979, the cast is intergenerational, with performers from the college and community, and with everyone learning multiple roles onstage and off. Seven college students are receiving credit in applied theatre courses for their work this year, performing as well as helping with sets, puppets, lights, and costumes. Gage Shelton, senior, playing the title role of Emmet this time, has the Kirk Cash Theatre Scholarship for his senior year.
“I really hope Emmet Otter becomes a tradition at Ferrum during the holiday season, as a lot of the story’s ideals just fit into the culture here,” said Shelton. “This is certainly one of the more technically intensive shows we do, and while that is ambitious for us, it opened up new opportunities and skills to build on that we wouldn’t have otherwise.”
Performing Arts Professor Rebecca Crocker, lead puppet designer for this show, taught students and volunteers how to design and construct collaboratively more than 30 puppets last year. A snake and an amusing squirrel family were her own design. This year Crocker also plays Jiffy Squirrel. She studied puppetry recently and created a Ferrum course called Puppetry and Oral Interpretation. Howard the Snake has been remade this year and one new puppet added–a crane.
Crocker especially appreciates the hard work of Troy Smith, senior, who plays the narrator, Doc Bullfrog, as well as helping to refurbish all the puppets this year. Improvements include replacing plastic with wood to give actors better control inside the puppets’ mouths.
“It’s been a lot of fun working on the puppets,” said Smith.
Community member Linda Witt, who returns in the role of shopkeeper Mrs. Mink and creates a moment of scandal during the talent show, said she feels at home playing this part.
“I’ve always been a rebel so this role is right up my alley,” she said.
Director Blankenship-Tucker is grateful to have David Mitchell back as accompanist.
“His artistry and musicianship add so much beauty to the production,” she said.
She also said she enjoys digging into musical details in a whole new way this year because of their familiarity with the show.
The four youngest cast members, ages eight to 10, have performed in other Ferrum College plays in the past several years. Their current roles include a skunk, a weasel, a ferret and squirrels. Sandy Delaney likes learning about props and other aspects of play production. Even though cast members can’t watch the whole play, they peek at it from backstage sometimes, and Sienna Bell enjoys seeing the theatre come to life when the show begins. Brystal Sigmon acknowledges that long rehearsals are hard work, but she says the theatre is like home, and they all agree that they feel like family. Silas Blankenship-Tucker said they are sad when each show ends.
“(It all) connects like Velcro,” Delaney said.
Provost Delia Heck wrote that the college’s goal is to empower students to lead purposeful lives with a commitment to impact their communities and the world.
“This production is a fabulous example of that mission in action,” Heck wrote. “The intergenerational cast brings the community together to engage in a truly unique experience not found anywhere else in the country. Our current students and graduates play central roles in staging the production, providing the hands-on learning experiences crucial to future success in the performing arts field. At a time of division in our society, the central theme of Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas is the power of selflessness and the importance of family. Ferrum College’s motto of ‘Not Self, But Others’ resonates in the songs and dialogue of this engaging story.”
For additional information, email [email protected] or call the box office at (540) 365-4355 and leave a message. Both Schoolfield Hall and Franklin Hall are handicapped accessible.
