Up The Down Chimney

Here’s a bit of small-town feeling holiday yumminess that’s sure to be a winner. Paul Dorpat and crew are putting on their second annual Up The Down Chimney Christmas show, complete with readings, music and heart-warming merriness. Paul writes:

Here’s something a mother might enjoy.  Starts at 7:30, next Tuesday evening [December , it is the second annual use of the Good Shepherd Center Chapel for our not yet popular Christmas show, “Up The Down Chimney.” Those attending during last year’s blizzard came by cautious foot. Two families with chains – one of them Stuart Dempster with his trombone – managed to make it as well.  But the rest just walked with care from the neighborhood. Many of them were urged on by Sally Anderson, herself a Good Shepherd neighbor.  They respected her good taste.  This show will cost you much less than the White Christmas playing now at the 5th Avenue Theatre, and while this show is also sentimental it serves these sentiments with an edge.  It asks the question, “What may we do with Christmas if not exploit it?”

His collaborators include Jean Sherrard, who wrote to Paul, explaining how the show would run thusly:

Readers: You, me, and Julie Briskman.

I’ll be reading Truman Capote’s ‘A Christmas Memory’. Julie Briskin will be reading Nathan Englander’s ‘Reb Kringle’ (in which a rabbi reluctantly plays Santa Claus). You, sir, will be reading Thurber’s version of ‘Twas the Night before Christmas’ in the style of E. Hemmingway + ‘The Green Mountain Justice’ – another seasonal bit of poesy.  Together we will again lead the audience in The Poor Birdies Song.

John & Tia Owen will accompany several carols on guitar and violin, ably assisted by Mark Kramer on guitar.  We won’t be asking the audience to sing as much as last time – but the music will shine bright.  John will play a couple instrumental pieces as well.