There’s an unexpected co-star in this year’s Christmas production from the Ham Sandwich theatre troupe – the Spirit of Death.
The production, called The Christmas Spirit, is a diversion from the troupe’s usual productions.
“If I had to describe it with a Christmas tagline, I’d have to call it, ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Christmas Dinner,’” said director Mark McDonald. “It’s certainly a little different than what we’ve done in the past.”
Written by playwright Frederick Stroppel, the show focuses on Julia Dowling, a Long Island woman who makes a deal with Death in order to stay alive to spend Christmas with her family. Leslie Fernandes plays Dowling, while both Aline Nasselquist and Laurence Gillespie take on the role as the Spirit of Death.
“We want to show two different aspects of the same character. They are both wonderful and the least threatening Spirit of Death you could ever have,” said McDonald.
While it may sound like a dark, gloomy production at first glance, McDonald is adamant that audiences will find the play fun and exciting.
“It’s not super heavy...It’s very funny and very life-affirming.”
The Christmas Spirit will be shown on Dec. 8 and 9 at the R.H. Channing Auditorium.
