SHEFFIELD – Tennessee Valley Art Association presents a Hippopotamus for Christmas at the Historic Ritz Theatre in downtown Sheffield. Field trips on December 5 through December 8 at 9am and 11am; public performance on December 9 at 2pm. This Time Out for Theatre performance is written and directed by Jaleesa Escott and produced by special arrangement with the Tennessee Valley Art Association. Time out for Theatre is the children’s theatre program at the Ritz Theatre. Tickets are available at tennesseevalleyarts.org.
Hippo follows the story of five sisters as they prepare for the first Christmas since their parents’ divorce. A unique Christmas wish comes to life when a baby hippo named Crissy escapes the local zoo, creating a chaotic Christmas for the community. Will Crissy be reunited with her mother at the zoo? Will the sisters find the spirit of Christmas?
“I believe this show is special because it tackles issues and feelings that a lot of children and even adults struggle with silently around the holidays,” says director, Jaleesa Escott. “This show is so full of spirit and charm. It’s family-friendly holiday silliness with a great message centering togetherness,” says TVAA director, Christi Britten.
Public performance tickets are $10. Student field trip tickets are $5 per student. Call the Tennessee Valley Art Association at 256.383.0533 for more information on field trips, or for ADA seating.
This Time Out for Theatre production is sponsored by the Alabama State Council on the Arts, Sheffield Kiwanis, and Clearview Cancer Institute.
Hippopotamus for Christmas features the following cast:
News Reporter – Phillip Green
Citizen 1 – Angela Angus
Citizen 2– Margie Britten
Citizen 3 – Natalie Hernandez
Citizen 4 – Bailey Thompson
Citizen 5, Guard, Mrs. Trotter – Donna Woodford
Screaming Citizen – Sophia Clark
Dad – Phillip Green
Mom – Mary Haslacker
Catherine – Lily Champion
Bobbie – Miranda Padgett
Carmen – Abby Davis
Ruth – Norma June Haslacker
Katie– Penny Haslacker
Crissy the Hippo – Gabriel Thompson
Police Officer, Santa, Mr. Wheeler – Don Grace
Animal Keeper – Denise Green
For more information about the Tennessee Valley Art Association, which runs the Ritz Theatre and the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art, call 256-383-0533 or visit tennesseevalleyarts.org.
Media Release/Christi Britten, IMA
Executive Director
Tennessee Valley Art Association
