This week, we're talking with Bruce White, from Peoria Players Theatre. Their 100th anniversary season continues this weekend with "Christmas One-Acts."
The first half of the production is the one-act play "Always Christmas Eve." It depicts the relationship between two childhood friends, as it unfolds over the course of fifty years. In addition to the two friends, the cast includes a third performer -- the Utility Player, who speaks no lines, but has an important role in helping the other two actors with prop, costume and set hanges. The play was specially commissioned by Peoria Players for their anniversary, and White notes that playwright Rebekah Bourland is a fourth-generation member of the theatre.
The second half is a "Christmas collage." It includes audience participation via a Chirstmas trivia competition and a holiday sweater contest. It also features young performers and ensembles from the community, Christmas letters and stories, and seasonal music. White says the theatre has additional events planned to celebrate the theatre's anniversary through June, 2019.
"Christmas Onc-Acts" runs tonight at tomorrow at 7:30, and Sunday afternoon at 2:00, at Peoria Players Theatre.