LAKEPORT – The holidays are here already. Why does it seem that it was just a few weeks ago that we were having long hot days on the lake and enjoying the soft coolness of the darkened theater interior? Time does march on.

So does life at the Soper-Reese. We are quite busy with two productions in the month of December.

Actors tend to refer to the week before a show’s opening as “Hell Week” and “The Dastardly Doctor Devereaux” is now up and running well after the usual panic and mayhem that surrounds the week before every opening night.

The turnout for the show has been very good with everyone booing the villains and cheering the good guys. They are especially ohhing and awwing the love interests in this musical melodrama suited for the whole family. It’s a definite hit!

With the coming of Christmas, we will once again be presenting the dramatic stage reading of

Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” live on Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m.

The reading will be performed with 10 voice artists, an announcer, a narrator and at least three sound effects artists.

The reading will be broadcast on community radio station KPFZ, 88.1 FM. This marks the second year that we have partnered with KPFZ to bring the community this timeless tale of one man’s redemption.

We have been extremely fortunate to have “A Christmas Carol” sponsored by several businesses in the community making it free to the public. It’s a present to all of the people of Lake County and beyond.

We are always busy with the ongoing renovations of the facility. We now have a new parking lot surface with new striped parking spaces and clearly designated handicapped spots next to our loading dock. This will allow our mobility challenged patrons a chance to get to the theater easier.

This resurfacing was made possible by the generous donations from the Early Lake Lions’ club and Dr. David Browning, whose optometric office shares our parking space. Huge thanks to them for upgrading the lot.

Running a theater is always a tremendous task and the Soper-Reese is no exception. As you may know, the theater is an all-volunteer organization and can keep living only as long as there is a strong and committed core of people who participate.

With this in mind, we are always looking for more folks to step into volunteer spots at the Soper-Reese.

We need people to help with marketing, ushering, ticket taking, cleaning, serving concessions, setting up the stage, building flats and many more duties that come with the facility. You may have the perfect

specialty or interest that we need. Don’t be shy, you will be welcome, make new friends and get that warm glow of satisfaction knowing that you are an integral part of keeping the arts alive in our community. How great is that?

As always, visit our Web site to stay informed about anything going on at the Soper-Reese, your community theater, by visiting us at: www.SoperReeseTheatre.com.

So from all of us at the Soper-Reese, we wish you a happy and joyful holiday season and a healthy and prosperous New Year!

Remember those immortal words from Dickens’ classic character, Tiny Tim, “God bless us, every one.”

Bert Hutt is artistic director of the Soper-Reese Community Theatre.

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