Christmas magic at San Jacinto College

Daniel Benitez

The Signal Staff

Santa Claus is coming to San Jacinto College-Central Campus and is bringing all his toys and elves. San Jacinto College Theatre and Film department is having rehearsals for their 12th annual Christmas Musical. The musical features popular songs that we know by heart such as: Jingle Bells, Mr. Grinch and Frosty the Snow Man.

Each year a new cast participates in the musical.

“This is an original script that came from an improv in one of our classes where the improv topic was Santa Claus versus the Grinch as an idea for the show,” said Jerry Ivins, director of theatre and film. “We change the script periodically from year to year. We have different talents that come in and can do different impersonations, we add songs and take away songs and change things a little bit.”

The concept of this show is “to offer a new tradition like the Nutcracker but with a little twist, unlike other communities and organizations in Clear Lake and downtown Houston that do the same Christmas show every year,” Ivins said.

The play consists of 80 cast members who include: Santa Claus, The Grinich, (the play’s version of Dr. Seuss’ Grinch), elves, toys and a children’s choir.  This musical is very high-energy and has a lot of chase scenes. The cast members are all members of the local community, including area schools and students from San Jacinto-Central Campus Theatre and Film program.

“We love to work with the local community because we can use this as a recruitment effort for future San Jacinto College students,” said Jay Thomas, co-director. “Our students do not only work with other students but sometimes work with other members that can help further along their career.”

A special performance is scheduled for Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. for local-area day care and elementary schools. Opening night for the general public is Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. The play will run Friday, Saturday and Sunday for two weeks. On Sundays, the showtime is at 2:30 p.m.

Intermission remains an interesting part of this musical because the audience can come up to the stage and sit on Santa’s lap.

Reporter: Daniel Benitez
Videographer: Jeffry Tupa