Published: November 25, 2009 01:53 pm      

BCP to feature Christmas story by Hoosier author

INDIANAPOLIS — The Buck Creek Players will continue their 36th season “On the Home Front” with “Home for Christmas,” a holiday inspiration for the entire family, adapted by Anne Coulter Martens from the 1937 novel by Indiana’s own Lloyd C. Douglas. 

Opening Dec. 4 and running for three weekends through Dec. 20, curtain times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with 2:30 p.m. matinees on Sundays. All performances are at the Buck Creek Playhouse, 11150 Southeastern Ave., on the southeast side of Marion County. Admission is $14 for adults and $12 for students and senior citizens ages 62 and older. Group rates are available. Seats may be reserved by calling the Playhouse Reservation Line at 862-2270. 

The Clayton family has scattered to every part of the country. Some of them have been successful and some have difficult problems. One of the daughters, determined that the family recapture something they seem to have lost, forces them all to come home for Christmas. In the midst of the laughter, they discover something that audiences will want to discover with them. Performing the roles in this heartfelt story are Valerie Ward Ludwig (Mother Clayton), Dalinda K. Shelton Stowe (Nan Clayton), Lee McCarty (Jim Clayton), Denise Rush (Gertrude Clayton Eldridge), Brittany DuPriest (Miriam Eldridge), Jake Meyer (Jack), Debbie Jones (Jean), Judith Duncan (Packy), Pam Turner (Ellen), Tom Meador (Timmie), Randy L. Ludwig (Dr. Collins), Gordon Grindstaff (Mr. Bailey), Joyce Pachciarz (Mrs. Bailey), Dotti Peek (Mrs. Dutton), Traci Barron-Kistner (Mrs. Apple), and Austin M. Ball, Marah Manners, Nicholas Rush, Kaydence Noelle Stowe, and Noah C. Stowe as Mrs. Apple’s children. 

Melissa DeVito makes her directing debut with this production, but is no stranger to the playhouse. She was assistant director for BCP’s 2008 production of “Honk!,” has produced, managed properties for many productions, and also appeared on stage in BCP productions of “The Christmas Express,” “Parade,” “West Side Story: The BCP Play-A-Part Fundraiser,” and “Dancing at Lughnasa.” Assisting DeVito on the production team are Cheryl Kern (producer), Lea Viney (set designer and technical director), Linda Rowand (costumer), Jeff Rowand (lighting designer), D. Scott Robinson (sound designer), Lynne B. Robinson (assistant producer), Ruthie Weller-Passman (assistant director), and Patrick Banks (stage manager).

For more information or directions to the playhouse, visit the theater’s website at www.buckcreekplayers.com.