TAKE IN THE CHRISTMAS MAGIC AT THE PINNACLE PLAYHOUSE WITH 'DEAR SANTA'
The Pinnacle Playhouse is transforming into the North Pole this holiday season! Located beside the Belleville Public Library at 256 Pinnacle Street, the Belleville Theatre Guild presents Dear Santa by beloved Canadian playwright Norm Foster: a feel-good holiday tale that’s equal parts charming, funny, and full of festive spirit. The show runs December 4-21.
Written by Jeremy Alarie
Read time: 2 min
Dear Santa is a family-friendly comedy about Kit Bishop, played by Nevaeh Douthright, who has trekked to the North Pole to hand-deliver a letter to Santa Claus, played by Michael Guest. After she demands Santa give her brother what he wants this year, she finds out she might be stuck in the land of wacky names and energetic elves.
At the workshop of the North Pole, Christmas spirit is a requirement and everyone contributes, even visitors!
“This play for me has been a labour of love,” said actor Michael Guest. “It has transported me back to a time and place in my mind where magic lived and breathed in my heart and soul before age and time eroded that belief of a magical land called the North Pole, overseen by the master of mirth and merriment, Santa Claus.”
The play has a colourful cast of characters:
Algernon Gladstone, the Chief of Staff with a business attitude about everything, down to Santa’s scheduled indigestion, played by Bryan Coates.
Bozidar, the Russian yard supervisor who has a reputation of overindulging in eggnog on special occasions, played by Galvin Drake.
Octavia, the North Pole’s housekeeper who tries to balance picking up Elf underwear and living out her Hallmark Christmas romance, played by Michelle Reid.
Lucky Lou Flapdoodle, a visitor with his own ride home, coming to the North Pole with a brand new rocket sleigh that he can’t wait for Santa to test drive and strike a deal, played by Jay Scott.
And of course, the elves, played by our area’s brightest young stars!
We’re thrilled to bring you this gem by Norm Foster. As Director I was drawn to the creative freedom he gives those who bring his characters to life. Our deep-dive character sessions (nicknamed “the principal’s office”) sparked laughter, breakthroughs, and revelations. Actors left those meetings laughing and inspired, many saying they’d never experienced that kind of rehearsal before.
The set, costumes, light and sound designers really brought magic to this stage, creating such a colourful and holiday-spirited event!
The Belleville Theatre Guild is a volunteer-run theatre that has been entertaining the Quinte region for nearly 75 seasons, proving that community-driven theatre can truly shine here.
We hope you make your way to the theatre, whether you’re buying a ticket, volunteering in the newly renovated Steve Forrester Lounge, or stepping onto the stage yourself. See you there!
Don’t miss the rest of BTG’s 74th Season:
7 Stories: Jan. 29–Feb. 15
One Man, Two Guvnors: Apr. 2–19
Sister Act: June 11–28
