Dress Rehearsal

Hegeler (Steve Seaborn) and Mr. Ferris (Baker) discuss the Ferris Wheel

We’re only an hour and a half away from the first performance as I write this. I’m happy to report stage fright hasn’t overtaken me. In fact, I’ve found myself popping out of bed this week with the sort of nervous excitement one experiences on the day before a vacation or maybe even Christmas morning.
Amanda, on the other hand, spent the early part of the week on the verge of puking.
I think in both cases, our hectic work schedules of the past few weeks have played a part. In my case, trying to come up with an economic positive for my daily Grinch Free Zone articles has kept me distracted from most other concerns, whereas, Amanda appears to have been simply overloaded with stress.

The ladies are in character even before dress rehearsal begins.

Still, our dress rehearsal on Tuesday lifted both of our spirits. The addition of costumes and the knowledge that there were only two days to show time brought out the best in the cast. That may be a little hyperbolic, but the cast definitely seems to know what we’re supposed to be doing. Plus, Amanda was able to find a comfortable way of keeping her camera hidden for the majority of the performance, which is helpful, as she’ll be photographing tonight’s first show for a front-page story Friday. Look for it at www.newstrib.com.

Megan Allicks reviews her family tree as Camilla Hegeler with Sharon Wagenknecht.


W.W. Boyington (John Byrne) rides the elevator in the Hegeler Carus Mansion, which he designed in 1874.

Annie Hegeler played by Kristen VanWingerden gives her Christmas present to her father Edward Hegeler played by Steve Seaborn

Emelie Fiedler, Camilla Hegeler, and Camilla Hegeler Sr. wait for the magic lantern show to begin.

Edward Hegeler tells "A Visit from St. Nicholas."

Clara Barton (Marlene Moshage) and Julius Hegeler (Steve Kwaitek) sing "Silent Night."