Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Valley Shakespeare Festival to present 'A Christmas Carol' in Shelton
Holiday classic slated Dec. 11,12 at Plumb Memorial Library
Charles Dickens wrote his holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” in London in 1843 in the midst of England’s industrial revolution.
It was originally written to be published as a pamphlet to inspire social reform.
At the time, London was teeming with problems: in only 80 years its population quadrupled from 1 million to 4.5 million; crime was rampant-the police estimated that 20,000 children were being trained in thievery; the city’s water supply was polluted; housing was sparse and cramped with entire families living in one small room; and education for children was at an all-time low.
Charles Dickens wrote his holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” in London in 1843 in the midst of England’s industrial revolution.
It was originally written to be published as a pamphlet to inspire social reform.
At the time, London was teeming with problems: in only 80 years its population quadrupled from 1 million to 4.5 million; crime was rampant-the police estimated that 20,000 children were being trained in thievery; the city’s water supply was polluted; housing was sparse and cramped with entire families living in one small room; and education for children was at an all-time low.
It is into this world that Valley Shakespeare Festival will take its audiences at 7 p.m. Dec. 11, and at 1 p.m. Dec.12. Presented without elaborate period costuming and staging, VSF’s production puts the emphasis on the true meaning of the story.
Jeremy Funke (Scrooge) explains: “What I like best about VSF’s stripped-down presentation of this classic tale is that it forces the audience to focus on the story-the audience’s imagination is our special effects designer, and I can’t think of a better way for them to experience it.”
Audience members will join Ebenezer Scrooge on his transformational journey through his own personal darkness of bitterness and disillusion on that fateful Christmas Eve and emerge with him on that brilliant Christmas morning with renewed faith in God and humanity.
Tom Simonetti, the company’s Executive and Artistic Director (and Bob Cratchit), echoes this sentiment,
“The story is powerful enough on its own not to need all kinds of embellishment. I love to see the children’s and families’ reactions to Jacob Marley’s chains, Tiny Tim, and Scrooge’s last speech. It’s a story that needs to be told because it reminds us of the kind of people we should be all year long. It’s exactly what we need.”
Gary Harger, who will be playing multiple roles, said he is “looking forward to coming up with three distinct characterizations, accents, mannerisms, etc. I’ve always loved the story…ever since I was a kid, and although there are many film and musical versions out there now, my favorite is still the 1951 film version with Alistair Sim-the one I watched when I was a kid!”
Valley Shakespeare Festival will present it staged reading of “A Christmas Carol” in the Reading Room of Plumb Memorial Library, 65 Wooster St., Shelton, which Simonetti describes as a “dream venue” for the story.
“It reflects the time period perfectly with its Romanesque style, huge fireplace, and Victorian wing chairs,” he said.
Anyone wishing to experience this memorable moment in history may reserve seats by calling Valley Shakespeare Festival, 203-513-9446, or by visiting www.vsfestival.org.
The event is presented free of charge with a suggested donation of $10 per person. Seating is limited and reservations are encouraged.
This is a press release from Valley Shakespeare Festival, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit theater company serving the communities of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
Ansonia dog, owner win pet therapy award
DERBY- Baby Cakes, a Chihuahua terrier mix, and owner Janice Correia of Ansonia, were honored with the Spirit of Planetree Therapy Animal of the Year Award at the 2015 Planetree International Conference in Boston.
Baby Cakes and Correia have been visiting patients at Griffin Hospital since 2008. Staff and patients appreciate visits by Baby Cakes for his engaging personality and his ability to light up a room with his wagging tail and endless enthusiasm.
Baby Cakes was nominated for the award by Ruth Tuccio, coordinator of People and Animals Working in Spirit, the therapy dog program at Griffin Hospital.
Although dealing with a cancer diagnosis, Baby Cakes continues to make routine visits and special visits by request, Tuccio said.
His ability to say “Mama” on command has helped many patients to forget they are in the hospital for a moment while being entertained by him.
His ability to say “Mama” on command has helped many patients to forget they are in the hospital for a moment while being entertained by him.
“His indomitable spirit is a true asset to our patients and staff,” Tuccio said.
The Spirit of Planetree Awards were created to promote patient-centered care by publicly recognizing those who personalize and demystify the healthcare experience for others as well as programs and services that support extraordinary achievement in patient-centered care.
The initiative helps communicate the character and quality of the caregivers and healthcare organizations serving the community in the Planetree network. The Awards positively impact staff morale in affiliated institutions through an award process that includes and reflects appreciation by peers and administrators and, in many cases, recognizes those who have not been in the spotlight for professional achievements.
About Planetree
Founded in 1978 by Angelica Thieriot, a San Francisco patient who endured a traumatic healthcare experience, Planetree is an internationally-recognized not-for-profit organization that partners with health care providers around the globe to advance patient-/resident-centered approaches to care.
Planetree has been at the forefront of the effort to personalize, humanize, and demystify the healthcare system for more than 30 years.
With its model of patient-/resident-centered care being implemented in a diverse range of hospitals, continuing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and consumer health libraries across North America, Canada, Brazil, The Netherlands and Japan, Planetree is demonstrating that patient-centered care is not only an empowering philosophy, but a viable, vital, and cost-effective model of care.
Planetree has been at the forefront of the effort to personalize, humanize, and demystify the healthcare system for more than 30 years.
With its model of patient-/resident-centered care being implemented in a diverse range of hospitals, continuing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and consumer health libraries across North America, Canada, Brazil, The Netherlands and Japan, Planetree is demonstrating that patient-centered care is not only an empowering philosophy, but a viable, vital, and cost-effective model of care.
This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.
Baking program slated for teens at Derby Public Library
DERBY - The Derby Public Library invites young adults ages 12 to 17 to Teen “Baker” Space, a Holiday Treats Decorating program, from 4-5 p.m. Dec. 15.
Participants’ creativity will be applied to a variety of baked goods.
All materials will be provided. Registration is requested.
For more information, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.
This is a press release from Tony DeLos, young adult librarian, Derby Public Library.
This is a press release from Tony DeLos, young adult librarian, Derby Public Library.