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 December 5 to 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” and “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 $50 prize 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 “what we value in our community” and “people here feel connected to it,” 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 times are December 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.
A number of cast members are reprising their roles from last year, such as Burgess’ son Django Burgess ‘27, 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 Professor of English Tina Hanlon. Assistant stage managers are Theatre Intern TJ Baker ‘24, who designs makeup and plays the mayor’s vain and deceitful wife Gretchen Fox; and Aryahna Tyree ‘27, 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 ‘25, 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.”
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.
For additional information, email theatre@ferrum.edu or call the box office at (540) 365-4355 and leave a message. Both Schoolfield Hall and Franklin Hall are handicapped accessible.
