Parishioners are lining up at the door, the players aren't prepared, the producer's big plans are over budget, the directors are engaged in a power struggle, the chorus keeps clucking away, and all the while, the pastor's hopes to raise funds to help the homeless hang on a wing and a prayer.
Will the true meaning of Christmas be uncovered in the midst of chaos?
Find out when the Rialto Theater and Harvest Players present "'Twas the Opening Night Before Christmas," a Christmas comedy written by Flip Kobler and Cindy Marcus and directed by Fremont County's own Kathy Herrin.
Corey Herman and Kathy Splitgerber perform a scene from 'Twas the Opening Night Before Christmas during a dress rehearsal at the Rialto Theater on Tuesday. (Carie Canterbury/Daily Record)
"We are doing a whole Christmas program, not just this play," Herrin said. "We will start with some music, we will have some Christmas caroling with the audience, and then Tay Jeffords from KRLN will read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' and will invite the kids to sit around him if they want to."
A special visitor is expected to make a brief appearance before a brief intermission.
"Then we will do this play, which is a 45-50 minute comedy," Herrin said.
Herrin directed the same play four years ago at the Steeple Events Center.
"It really does talk about what the real meaning of Christmas is, in spite of everything that goes on, and that we need to keep that as our focus," Herrin said.
The cast is rather large for this play, comprised of about 20 people.
"Some of them are returning, folks that we've had in shows before, but we also have some brand new people," Herrin said. "We have a real mix of folks."
Brand new to local theater - and to the stage in general - is Matt Aichlmayr. He recently started a new job at the Cañon City Pregnancy Center as a "Dad-vocate," which will entail him speaking to local churches.
"I am afraid to speak in front of people, so I prayed to God and asked him to help me out, an hour later, Kathy called me and invited me to be in the play," he said. "God answered my prayers."
He won't simply be getting his toes wet but instead will be diving into the deep end by playing Joseph.
"The character is funny because he is jealous of his girlfriend, Mary," he said. "I think she is flirting with everyone in the 'cast,' so it's pretty funny."
Veteran actor Kathy Splitgerber has 25 years of experience in theater, 15 of those here in Fremont County.
She plays a magi named "Gabby," the same role she played four years ago.
"I am a real woman's 'libber' and I feel like I don't get enough attention as a woman," Splitgerber said of her character. "No one knows I'm a woman, because of the beard."
She said people will enjoy the production for its silliness and because of the characters' egos.
"And the message at the end," she said. "We all kind of meld and realize how egos aren't so important and the real message comes through. It's all about the love."
This holiday production is sponsored by Harwood Funeral Services and produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., of Englewood.
"We want people to come and enjoy the season, but in the end, the real reason we celebrate Christmas comes out," Herrin said.
Showtimes are at 7 p.m. Dec. 2, 3, 9 and 10 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 4 and 11 at the Rialto Theater, located at 209 W. Main St. in Florence. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3-12 and may be purchased at Big D's Superfoods, City Market, at the box office or online at https://historicrialtotheater.org/.
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