Program for the Children's Christmas Operetta

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NORTHFIELD ARTS GUILD CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS OPERETTA
December 28 and 29,  1974 4:00 P.M.
THE   MAGI'S   GIFT   by   Grubb,Marzo,Trehame
(Mystery Play of Company of Shearmen and
Tailors of the Middle Ages) Pub. Willis
CAST
Watchman. . .Jeff Forbes
Mary. . .Taml Thorson
Harold. . .Chris Shepard
Ann. . .Karl Paulson
Margaret. . .Jenifer Drentlaw
Good Dame. . .Karen Peterson
Elsbeth. . .Cheryl Wegner
Thomas Moreley. . .Rob Quanbeck
Tom,  his son. . . David Bruce
Sir Arthur,a Crusader... .Rob Bruce
Morris Dancers (Angel Chorus):
Cheryl Brust, Kristin Tisdale, Sue Jones,
Karrin Syverson, Thene Martin, Liz See
Mummers:
Father Christmas. . .Natalie Monnot
St. George, . .David Narum
The Turk. . .Patrick Monnot
The Crusader. . . MaryLin Bruce
The Jester. . .Jennifer Porter
Characters in Nativity Play;
Three Shepherds. . .Kirk Shoger,
Jon Stromseth, Tim Hanson
Three Wise Men. . .Jennifer Reuvers,
Anne Campbell,  Sue McWilliams
Mary. . .Liz See
Angels. . .Andrea Quanbeck, Gigi Monnot
Costumes, - scenery,  props,  house...
-   Mike Brandt, cast and parents
Backwall design. . .Clint Sathrum
There will be one 5 minute intermission.
Caroiee Hussey, LLsa Halvorson,
Heidi Fick,  Emily Campbell,  Michelle
Brandt, Kristin Pesola, Jennifer Bolton,
Jane Kirchner, Nina Hagen, Marne
Prescher,  Beth Brodin, Kristin Mathre,
Christie Casson
MUSICIANS
Piano and Orchestrations. . .Chris Forbes
Flute. • . Kari Halvorson
Oboe, . .Greg Peterson,
Guitar. . .Jeff Bond
Bassoon. . .Rolf Tisdale
Percussion. . .Marc Faillettaz
Directors. .Sue Shepard, Marie Sathrum
Asst. Director. . .MaryLin Bruce
C     The scene of the story is laid in medieval England on Christmas Eye.    In the
cathedral there is a shrine believed by many to contain the crown and scarlet robe once
worn by Caspar, one of the Three Wise Men.    Tradition says that once each year he
appears again on earth,  gives a gift of gold and a heavenly blessing to all he meets.
Elsbeth,  the little girl who lives at the inn,  believes with ail her heart in this
legend.    Her life is not a very happy one, as she is living with the innkeeper, Old
Thomas Moreley, whom she calls her uncle.    Elsbeth has only a faint recollection of
her father and mother, and Moreley will not allow her to speak of them, and tries in
every way to convince her that what she says she remembers is not true.
On Christmas Eve, Sir Arthur a Crusader but recently returned comes to visit the
rich people in the Manor House. Fie has been away from England for five years,  during
which time he has learned of the death of his father and mother and little sister.    The
news of Sir Arthur's arrival frightens Moreley so that he plans to send Elsbeth to
another part of England.    However, before he can do so,  Elsbeth meets Sir Arthur,
takes him to be th Magi she has so long expected.    Sir Arthur on talking to the little
girl discovers she is his sister whom he believed to be dead.    Moreley is forced to
confess that after the death of Elsbeth's parents who were killed in an accident,  he
was to take Elsbeth and a considerable sum of money to some distant relatives.
However,  he was tempted by the sight of so much gold and so he reported that the
little one had been killed with her parents, and disappeared with child and money.
He produces proofs of Elsbeth's identity and the greater part of the gold which he
has never dared spend.    So Elsbeth receives her gold and the greatest happiness she
could ask for in the return of her brother; she has really received the Magi's
Heavenly Gift.