‘The Christmas Dragon’ roars to life on stage

CHRISTMAS COMEDY—Director Jeff Wallach gives instructions o Alex Choate, center. Also pictured are Emily Heulitt, Kamahni Huck, Elizabeth Mazeika, Olivia Heulitt, Joe Mazeika and Caleb Heulitt.

Just in time for the holidays, Curtain Call Youth Theatre, under the direction of Jeff Wallach, is presenting a premiere workshop production of Nance Crawford’s “The Christmas Dragon” with music by Malcolm Atterbury, Jr. Performances are scheduled for 2 p.m. Dec. 17 and 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Camarillo Community Theatre, 330 Skyway Drive at the Camarillo airport in Camarillo. Open-seating tickets are $10.

Seventeen young actors and actresses ages 8 to 19 from Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo and Moorpark are participating to help bring the magic of the holiday season to the stage.

This musical comedy, with text and lyrics by Nance Crawford, celebrates the spirit of Christmas. A young girl, Sarah, portrayed by Simi Valley Pinecrest seventh-grader Aubrey Caswell, loses her memory.

In the company of a young dragon, portrayed by Westlake sophomore Joe Mazeika, she meets up with Santa, Mrs. Claus, lots of elves and a wicked witch.

The story is narrated by the Storybook Lady, who’s portrayed by Sequoia Middle School seventh-grader Chelsea Glasner. After many exciting adventures, Sarah and her dragon end up at the North Pole, where Santa saves the day. Cast members hope that the story will help the audience get into the spirit of the season.

“The Christmas Dragon” is an original work by Southern California playwright Crawford, who began her professional career in the theater as an actress at age 6.

In addition to acting in many Southern California productions, Crawford produced the Hollywood Globe Theatre’s critically acclaimed 20th anniversary production of “Macbeth,” starring Lane Davies.

While she was a writer at Lonny Chapman’s Group Repertory Theatre (GRT), Crawford developed “The Christmas Dragon,” which was presented as staged readings at GRT. Her most recent full-length play, “The Tinseltown Follies,” was part of the Sundays at Seven staged reading series at the Stella Adler Theatre.

Crawford is a member of the Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights and the Dramatists Guild of America, Inc. and has participated in the Academy for New Musical Theatre program. Jeff Wallach founded Curtain Call Youth Theatre to make theatrical training available to young people. He’s been associated with more than 200 productions as an actor, director, choreographer, producer, set decorator, costume designer, lighting designer and educator,

Wallach brings insight and experience to the school. His work in shows ranges from melodrama to Mozart, Shakespeare to Sondheim, and almost everything in between.

As an educator, Wallach has taught all aspects of theatre arts through many facets of the education community including California Lutheran University; the Los Angeles, Burbank and Simi Valley school districts; local dance and acting studios; and private schools throughout L.A., San Fernando Valley and Ventura County areas.

For more information about “The Christmas Dragon” or Curtain Call Youth Theatre, please call (818) 704-1221.