'Christmas Is...' in London

Popular culture is making its mark on "Christmas Is..."

The Three Stooges— uh, make that the Three Scrooges—are Mr. and Mrs. Claus' neighbors in the North Pole residence in the annual student production of "Christmas Is…" at Citrus College.

Approximately 170 students will sing and dance in the Haugh Performing Arts Center for seven performances between Dec. 3 and Dec. 18.

The first act of the production consists of traditional Christmas carols sung by the Citrus Singers, the Women's Ensemble and Concert Choir group.

The second act is a yearly reinterpretation of what Christmas is really all about.

It's set in 19th century London where the audience is introduced to their narrator, Eliza Doolittle, who humorously warns of the dangers of copyright infringement in relation to content from "Sherlock Holmes," "Harry Potter" and "The Kings Speech."

"I get to break the ‘fourth wall' and connect with the audience," said musical theater major Brittany Sanchez, 23, about her role as the narrator who also makes side remarks to the audience.

The story is centered around three teenage girls, Ernestine, Cecilly and Gwendolyn—who want to spend Christmas Eve out on the town away from their families.

With nowhere else to go, the girls meet a chimney sweep who takes them on an adventure to the North Pole with their nannies Annie, Frannie and Jannie, played by Andreece Williams, 19, Michelle Croce, 21, and Beda Spindola, 19, in tow.

At the North Pole they are introduced to the Three Scrooges, and Santa's helpers, the Seven Elves, (Doc, Sneezy, Grumpy, etc.) despite the howls of protest from Eliza Doolittle.

Children in the audience are invited to join the cast on stage and spend time with Santa Claus and his helpers.

"My favorite part is when the kids come up on stage and see Santa," said Daniel Reyes, 20.

Doug Austin and choreographer John Vaughan assembled the cast in September to begin the long rehearsal process for the annual holiday production.

"This year's show is beautiful to look at," Austin said. "The humor in ‘Christmas Is...' is wonderfully balanced for the young and old."

Performances are scheduled for Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 2 p.m. and Dec. 16 at 8 p.m.

General admission is $20, children 16 years old and under are $15, students and seniors are $18.