Southwest Florida Theatre Company Premieres Holiday Musical Combining Fairy Tales With Christmas Story

Southwest Florida Theatre Company will present Once Upon a Christmastime from Nov. 19 through Dec. 6 at the Music and Arts Community Center. The show marks Raymond Jaramillo McLeod's first time directing with the company.

Musical Director Julie Beardon Carver built this show from Producer Andrew Kurtz's concept. The tale unfolds in Grimmville, a town where Grimms' fairy tale characters collide with pieces of "The Gift of the Magi."

"It's kind of Grimms' fairy tale creatures meet 'The Gift of the Magi,' and there's an unexpected plot twist in the middle, some great little surprises and a lot of familiar music," said Carver, according to WGCU. "You'll recognize not only Christmas carols, but maybe even a little opera tune."

Hansel, Gretel, and Rapunzel populate the stage. A bewitched mirror stirs up jealousy and temptation. The three make sacrifices, offer forgiveness, and discover what Christmas means.

Carver reshapes known melodies to push the plot ahead. "The Christmas carols are used to advance the story," Carver said. "And you'll recognize the characters. It will be a different take on what you're used to with Hansel and Gretel and Rapunzel."

Natalie Brouwer, Matt Michael, and Kiana Cintron will perform.