18th Angel Tree Benefit - Performance December 12, 2008

ZCT's Angel Tree Benefit began in December 1990 and raised $400 and now, 18 years later, often raises in excess of $5,000 to benefit the Salvation Army serving Muskingum, Perry, and Morgan Counties in Ohio. It's Angel Tree time again at Zanesville Community Theatre and Rich and Shelley Tolliver are back in the directors chair with another holiday tale that's fun for the whole family. What's so special about this annual benefit, you ask? Well, for starters it's a community effort with a purpose - to help people. ZCT drops their set ticket price and asks for a donation to see the show instead. That way families can come and enjoy a show no matter what their economic status. In conjunction with the show, area community members and businesses donate goods and services to the ZCT Angel Tree Raffle. Members of the theater and participants in the production sell tickets. ($1 each or six for $5). At the close of the production ALL monies collected from raffle sales and donations are counted. Then volunteers in the production actually use that money to shop for Angels on the Salvation Army's Angel Tree. Over the years, ZCT's mission in helping others has expanded to include contributions to the Salvation Army's Food pantry. The children who participate in the Angel Tree Benefit bring in their gently used toys and put them towards the cause, only these items go to help families in need in surrounding communities. These donations are sorted, any that is 'loved a little too much' is donated to the animals at the Zanesville Animal Shelter. The rest voyage with ZCT's Santa and the lovely Mrs. Claus (Dick and Dru Tolliver) to Crooksville and Roseville and beyond. Toys are also shared with members of their fire departments in those cases where children are involved in accidents or house fires. Each toy finds love and each family who receives them know that there are people who care. Believe it or not, there's more to it. The Zanesville Community Theatre and its members contribute to cover the production and operational costs of the building. Every Annual Angel Tree Benefit is wholly a volunteer effort! Headed up yearly by Richard Tolliver and his wife Shelley, this production includes everyone who auditions. That's right! Every One who auditions gets a part from the young to the young at heart - everyone is welcome. Rich begins planning the framework of the next Angel Tree before the current one is over. Sometimes they are musicals, sometimes they are shows with holiday music in them. In every case, the show becomes a group effort where the real meaning of Christmas is celebrated and people carry the fact that they've made a difference into their holiday season. This year's show promises no less. It's a story based around a great grandmother and the histories, stories and memories that she has nestled in her trunk. It's a show that celebrates the holiday music through the ages and the people that lived them. It's also a chance for members of the community to do something to help others in need. Last year, through the generosity of the community and neighboring communities the ZCT Annual Angel Tree Benefit raised over $3500 to help others. (Mind you, that doesn't include all the toys that were donated by the kids or the groceries that were brought in by their families. It took 2 trips in a rather large van to deliver the donated toys last year. My Bravada was loaded to the gills with food!) It's a beautiful moment in life when a whole bunch of "little" adds to quite a lot. So, if you'd like to participate in a show that celebrates the holiday and spreads good will towards men (women, kids and critters) than this is the show for YOU! Auditions are easy - you come in, jot down contact information and a bit about yourself and your schedule, meet and greet others, read a few things, sing a few songs and WALLAH - you are in! After auditions, Rich begins writing the script with you in mind - everyone is in, remember? (Don't worry if you don't sing or if singing's not your thing, we don't push. ) Come join the crazy Christmas chaos as ZCT once again creates a festive show that helps families in need this holiday season. Directed by Richard Tolliver Musical Director: Sheryl Wise