This time of year gives me an excuse to indulge in a few of my special holiday creature comforts.

For me, that includes binging on lots of eggnog ice cream, noshing on peppermint bark and watching one or more interpretations of Charles Dickens' beloved classic A Christmas Carol.

My favorites are the 1984 movie of the same name starring George C. Scott; or Scrooged, the 1988 modernized version featuring Bill Murray; and of course, The Muppet Christmas Carol, starring Michael Caine and Kermit the Frog.

The North Texas Performing Arts (NTPA), and its Plano Children’s Theater (PCT) are putting their local twist on this magical tale in Scrooge – The Musical, at the Courtyard Theater Dec. 17-20. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at Plano Children's Theatre.

In this, the fifth year presenting this musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale, the NTPA and PCT have assembled its very best cast every for this annual tradition.

I was able to get a sneak peek at the production during a dress rehearsal this week.  It was captivating the way the ensemble transformed the stage into a wintry late 19^th century London streetscape.

The talented cast includes star of the stage, Gennifer Stratton, who  has performed professionally from New York to Los Angeles.  Other cast members feature one of Critical Rant’s “Top Performers in DFW Metroplex,” and Dallas Observer’s widely acclaimed actor, Chris Rodenbaugh.

Debuting in the role of Marley is Executive Director of Frisco Community Theatre, Howard Korn.  In his fourth year, Darrell Rodenbaugh reprises his title role as Scrooge.  Creative Staff includes director Sara Akers, NTPA Executive Director and Founder and Jenni Word, co-director.

One of the things I appreciate most about the production is that the cast includes several families and individuals from the local community.  It’s great to see parents and kids performing on stage together. And I must admit that I’m particularly fond of the performance by the exuberant toy shop owner “Miss Pringle,” who just happens to be played by my daughter.

The staging choices, along with the large set pieces that transition in and out of several different interior locations, are quite convincing.  Even the costumes are whimsical and the musical performances are full of heartfelt delight.

As an added bonus, theater-goers of all ages at Scrooge – The Musical  will get a “last chance” to meet with Santa at Santa’s workshop before each show.

Every performance begins with a favorite Christmas carol of the cast and audience.  This is followed by special after-show backstage tours featuring photo opportunities with Scrooge and the rest of the cast.

The entire cast and crew has put on a quality production and created a memorable community theater experience for everyone to cherish this season.

Best of all, this year I don’t have to wait for holiday re-runs to enjoy a Dickens classic on TV.  Now, I can watch the story come to life at the Courtyard Theater when Scrooge –The Musical  takes the stage during this special Merry Christmas weekend.

Scrooge - The Musical runs Dec. 17-20 at the Courtyard Theater in Plano, Texas.  For tickets visit: Plano Children's Theatre.

Reprinted from: Mommy’s Minivan Monologues

Grover's Corners, the fictional New Hampshire town where Our Town was set over a century ago, may not be all that different from Richardson or other North Dallas communities - even today in the twenty-first century.  

Prestonwood Christian Academy (PCA)  is continuing the tradition of professional-quality student theater productions at Richardson’s Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Dr., with the classic Thornton Wilder play, to be performed Nov. 6 through Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m.  For tickets visit The Eisemann Center.

“I was interested in doing a well-known drama, and Our Town is so rich with its message that I felt it would be good for our theatre students and our audiences,” said Pam Hurt Director and Upper School Theater Teacher, Prestonwood Christian Academy. “It is my goal to add variety into our theatre schedule every year so that by the time a student graduates they will have four years of various theatrical experiences.”

The story, which was first performed in 1938, focuses on Grover's Corners between the years 1901 and 1913, and on the Webb and Gibbs families whose teenage children, played by Avery Rudd as Emily Webb and Dylan Freeman as George Gibbs, fall in love. Hannah Mathes, as the stage director, offers a long view of the trajectory of lives in the town. Other major roles include Dr. Frank Gibbs, performed by Brody Hill; his wife, Julia Gibbs, performed by Paige Price; Myrtle Webb, performed by Kendall Brewer; and her husband Charles Webb performed by Michael Walsh; and Luella Soames, played by Mackenzie Meadows.

The play includes 35 students in the cast and 15 in the crew from grades 5-12 and the students have been hard at work since school started back in August. They also have been instrumental in the various production elements including building sets, securing props and working on hair and make-up.  And since Wilder’s play includes a church choir, the students had to hone their skills as hymn singing as well.

Tuesday night, backstage was abuzz during dress rehearsal at The Eisemann Center.  The air was filled with anticipation as the cast chattered with excitement, walked the halls practicing lines or fine-tuned makeup in the dressing room.

Parent Volunteers Act As Backstage Fairy Godmothers

Through the commotion of it all, was a group of parent volunteers working tirelessly to help the kids navigate their way through this major production.  Their meticulous attention to detail and blurring ability to transform the students into character reminded me of fairy godmothers busily working their magic on the Our Town cast.    

PCA parents head up certain crews such as Food Services, Hair & Makeup and Costumes. “They really commit themselves to professionalism and bring such excellence to the production,” said Hurt.   

The director explains that students work alongside the parent volunteers to learn how the different production areas operate.  “If a parent in a key leadership position has a child about to graduate, they are so good about training the parents of younger students to take over their area.  It is really a nicely oiled machine with fantastic parent commitment and support,” said Hurt.

Lori Rudd has been involved with Prestonwood productions for years in support of her daughter Avery and the other cast members.

“Being actively involved backstage with costumes gives me a chance to get to know the students in the cast better, as well as the parents,” said Rudd.  “That helps to promote an overall community and family environment in the PCA theatre. Volunteering also gives us a chance to invest in these young people and it shows that we believe in them. I want to show the cast, crew, director and volunteers that they are all making a difference, and everyone is needed and contributes to making a  performance a success,” she said.

Like Rudd, Elizabeth Ann Sappington also became a backstage theater volunteer in support of her daughter, Madeline, and her participation has grown over the years.

“The best thing about my parental involvement by far has been the people,” said Sappington. “I have had the privilege of watching my daughter and others kids grow up in this theatre department. I have seen all of their hard work and watched them pour out their souls on the stage. Best of all, I have been able to mentor and encourage these kids while serving them in the makeup room and backstage. And while I have been touching their lives, they have been touching mine, and that to me is priceless.”

Although the volunteers serve as the backbone of the production, the students definitely raise the bar with their professional quality, jaw-dropping performances. The show features so many talented actors and a top-notch production that the audience will easily forget that they are watching a student ensemble that could rival many adult cast performances.  

So what are some of the poignant moments that moved me?  Lines like this one, spoken by the young Emily in the third act: 'Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? - every, every minute?'

The audience will leave hugging their families - guaranteed.

Our Town, performed by Prestonwood Christian Academy, is open to all ages Nov.6-8.  For ticket information visit The Eisemann Center.

Cool off at the Frontiers of Flight Museum’s Beat the Heat Saturday: Helicopter Day on Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 6911 Lemmon Ave.  It’s a great way to enjoy indoor fun during these hot Dog Days of August.  It's also a perfect activity to cap off the summer for the little aviators in your family. 

This year's event will include a day full great family activities, including: 

• A CareFlite helicopter and other helicopter-related displays,
• Globe-circling aviator Amelia Rose Earhart,
• A presentation and book signing by WWII POW Fiske Hanley,
• Our always-popular Open Cockpit Day,
• The dedication of a large-scale model of Richard Byrd’s Ford Tri-motor,
• A chance to enjoy a cool Kona Ice®, and
• Fascinating tales from our Living History Volunteers

The Frontiers of Flight Museum, a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate, is a gem in the North Texas community that attracts over 100,000 visitors annually including 30,000 students.  The Museum is conveniently located just north of downtown on Lemmon Avenue at the southeast side of Dallas Love Field Airport, north of Mockingbird Lane.

Housed in a modern 100,000-square-foot facility, the Frontiers of Flight Museum provides a focal point to explore the history and progress of aviation, as mankind continues to pursue going higher, faster and farther. Educational classes for all ages are offered throughout the year, designed to excite the imagination in science, technology, engineering, and math through spacecraft design, aerodynamics, model-building, space survival, and other disciplines.

For information call: (214) 350-1651 or visit www.flightmuseum.com.Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Admission $3-$8. For information call: (214) 350-3600. 

Rare Graphic Art Collection Gives Viewers Feel for War-Time Sacrifices,
Connection to “Greatest Generation” 

The Frontiers of Flight Museum will commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the start of World War I with a dynamic collection of rare vintage poster art including recruiting, propaganda and home front morale images from World Wars I and II.  They include the poster that created the iconic image of "Uncle Sam."  The collection has been accumulated over several decades by one of Dallas’ toughest trial lawyers, Rogge Dunn, and can be enjoyed by the public August 14, 2014, through January 31, 2015. 

The exhibit enables viewers to experience the atmosphere and attitudes of the war generations and gives viewers a feel for the war-time sacrifices made by America's "Greatest Generation."  The display includes more than three dozen works of graphic and rare art from France, Germany, England, Russia and the United States, which highlight significant aspects of world history.  Featured works include: 

• the most famous U.S. poster of all-time:  James Montgomery Flagg’s image of Uncle Sam pointing and proclaiming “I Want You”
• the most famous French WWI poster capitalizing on the "On les Aura!"  (“We shall get them”) phrase coined by French General Pétain during the bloody battle of Verdun 
• an impressive stone lithograph of a WWI German pilot posing like the famous German ace, the Red Baron
• an original pamphlet given to American troops just prior to them boarding transports for the D-Day Invasion

The images are provocative and even disturbing, as they show the horrors of war in an effort to encourage citizens to enlist, work hard and avoid waste to protect the homeland.  Despite their age, many are timeless, including Joseph Pennell’s 1918 poster promoting war bonds, which shows New York City on fire, an eerie prediction of the 9/11 attacks. 

Dunn's collection has been displayed in the Hall of State during the State Fair of Texas and was showcased to excellent reviews at the museum in 2007.  It's back by popular demand with several unseen, rare works. 

“This unique exhibit is significant for both its historical and educational value,” says Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Frontiers of Flight Museum.  “Several of the posters have an aviation theme, and all of them sought to influence public opinion and support their nation’s war effort.”

“Before radio, television and the internet, posters were a main form of mass communication,” said Dunn.  "Their beauty and thoughtfulness is rarely seen in today's fast-paced world.

 “As an attorney, I am intrigued by their power to persuade, and I incorporate many of their visual and persuasive techniques in my jury trials,” said Dunn, who began collecting graphic art while studying at the London School of Economics in 1977.  He was impressed by the powerfully stark visuals in a London subway poster warning riders about unattended packages in the midst of Irish Republican Army bombings.  As a future attorney, he appreciated the simple, yet compelling presentation.  Dunn is a native Dallasite and fifth generation Texan who handles business and employment litigation with the law firm of Clouse Dunn LLP. 

Dunn’s collection of graphic art combines his love of history, rhetoric and the art of persuasion.  His collection includes more than 250 works from 20+ countries dating from 1883 to the present.  Many of his posters are in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Smithsonian Institution, and London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. 

The Frontiers of Flight Museum is located at 6911 Lemmon Avenue (at University) in Dallas, at the southeast corner of Dallas Love Field Airport.  Over 30 aircraft and space vehicles are on display, including the Command Module from the Apollo 7 space mission, the only flight simulator ever built for the SR-71 “Blackbird” spy plane, the only moon rock in North Texas, and thousands of rare aviation artifacts, photos and memorabilia.  Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.  Regular admission rates are $8 for adults; $6 for seniors (65+); $5 for children/youth ages 3 through 17; and free for children under age 3.  For more information, call (214) 350-1651 or visit www.flightmuseum.com.

North Texas Business Leaders Bring Extensive Experience to the Organization 

Today, the Arthritis Foundation South Central Region announced the recent addition of Sharon Stufflebeme and Karee Sampson, to its board of directors. The joint announcement was made by Margaret Jackson, Chairman of the Board of the Arthritis Foundation South Central Region.   The Arthritis Foundation South Central Region serves those living with arthritis, including 4 million Texans, 820,000 Oklahomans and 372,000 people in New Mexico.

"The expansion of our board leadership with the professional expertise and passion that Sharon and Karee bring, further strengthens our ability to meet the needs of our constituents in the communities that we serve throughout the region.” said Jackson. “Their collective extensive experience and comprehensive understanding of the Foundation’s mission will greatly benefit our organization to help support those living with the pain of arthritis every minute of every day.”

Sharon Stufflebeme, Chief Information Officer, FTS International, has more than 28 years of experience in the area of Management and Information Technology.  She brings high-level management and consultant focus on working with organizations, like the Arthritis Foundation, to help define and prioritize business initiatives to align strategy with core values and technology platforms.  Stufflebeme has extensive experience assisting numerous companies and organizations to create value and improve business performance.

Prior to joining FTS International, Stufflebeme served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for RadioShack Corporation for four years. Previously, she was Senior Vice President and Chief Information officer for 7-Eleven, a company she joined in 2004. She was also formerly a partner at Arthur Andersen Business Consulting and a vice president at Hitachi Consulting. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Dallas and an MBA from the University of Texas.  In addition to the Arthritis Foundation, she is actively serving on boards for Volunteer Center of North Texas; The Board Connection; Southern Methodist University Cox Business School EMIS and Texas Christian University Neely business School BCIS Advisory Board. 

With more than 30 years of investment experience, Karee Sampson has developed keen insight into the planning process needed to position clients for potential long-term success in an increasingly-complex financial world. As Vice President, Investments for Wells Fargo she serves as a dedicated financial advisor to select individuals, families and trusts in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and throughout the country.

Sampson joined Wells Fargo Advisors in 2006, after 22 years with Morgan Stanley where she was Vice President of Investments. She holds a bachelor of science in economics from the University of Utah. 

In addition to the Arthritis Foundation, Sampson is involved with several non-profit organizations, including Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Jim and Joanie Hatcher Charitable Trust, Children’s Medical Center Dallas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Educational First Steps and Community Partners of Dallas.

“We are honored to welcome our new board members to the Arthritis Foundation,” said Jackson.  Respectively, they provide expertise in management, information technology, and the financial industry, as well as in both the public and nonprofit sectors.   Each has demonstrated unwavering support for the Arthritis Foundation’s mission, and together they will provide dynamic leadership for our organization during this time of growth for the South Central Region.  We are incredibly fortunate to have them join our leadership team.” 

The work of the Arthritis Foundation South Central Region supports the organization’s fight against arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability.  Currently, 53 million Americans (one in five) are living with arthritis pain every minute of every day.  The Arthritis Foundation leads initiatives to support research to find a cure, provide public health/educational programs for those who have arthritis, and continue its advocacy efforts throughout the South Central Region and across the U.S. 

About the Arthritis Foundation

Striking one in every five adults and 300,000 children, arthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability. The Arthritis Foundation (http://www.arthritis.org) is committed to raising awareness and reducing the unacceptable impact of this serious and painful disease, which can severely damage joints and rob people of living life to its fullest. The Foundation funds life-changing research that has restored mobility in patients for more than six decades; fights for health care policies that improve the lives of the millions who live with arthritis; and partners with families to provide empowering programs and information.