The Silver Bell at LPAC Dec. 4 & 5
Dates: Friday, December 4, 2009 at 7 PM
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 7 PM
The Lancaster Performing Arts Center (LPAC), with its roots deeply implanted in the community, is pleased to present the world premiere of The Silver Bell, by local playwright Elmer Garten. The magic of Christmas rings out like a silver bell in this charming holiday story. All the eggnog in the world can’t stop a baklava-baking neighbor, a PTA president on a mission, a conniving executive and a mysterious girl in need from converging on the Oglesby household this Christmas Eve. Along with their three lively daughters, the youngest of who suspects a Santa conspiracy, Dan and Darla Oglesby eventually find Christmas in the chaos with the help of their very own “silver bell.”
The Silver Bell is the winner of the LPAC’s eight month long playwriting contest. The LPAC sought an original script expressly for presentation during the 2009 Christmas holiday season. The competition rules were strictly tailored to fit the needs of the LPAC, a difficult and exacting task for most playwrights. The requirements included: the script must be a one act with no breaks or intermission, 65-75 minutes in length, a conventional play and not a musical, the plot must be suitable for all ages, holiday oriented, no special effects, no elaborate lighting, no elaborate scenery or scene changes, a cast of 10 people minimum and 30 maximum, and the winning playwright must be willing to do re-writes as requested by the staff and director.
The winning script by Mr. Garten expertly presents a story with his messages intertwined throughout of how children can observe the benefits of openly realizing one’s own talents, treating others properly, and showing compassion. Additionally, Garten presents a realistic family that finds function in their dysfunction. December starts off with the clear ring of a bell missing its clapper.
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