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A group of angels proclaim “It’s a heavenly day in heaven!” Left to right: Cali Papineau, Joe Balding (partial), Jozlyn Bew, Fox Thompson, Tatum L’Heureux, Izzy Meek, Abram Papineau, Jailee LaFleur, Sylvia Abbott. (Submitted)

ABC Players Present ‘The Littlest Angel’ at Stuart’s Dec. 2-4


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The winter holiday season is a time for traditions—special activities, foods, visits, music, and stories that we look forward to repeating again and again. The ABC Players‘ Christmas theater production, The Littlest Angel, is based on a story that was a tradition in the family of author/director Celeste Parsons. This musical version of The Littlest Angel will be performed at Stuart’s Opera House, Nelsonville, at 7 p.m. on Dec. 2 and 3 and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 4. The production is sponsored by Intelliwave High Speed Internet.

As adapted from the Charles Tazewell children’s book, The Littlest Angel shows the arrival of a new, and very small, angel (Kaela Ricket) in Heaven, where she is greeted by Gabriel (Joe Balding), Rafael (Brittan Posey), the Choir Director Angel (Andrea Hashman), and other members of the Heavenly Host (Sylvia Abbott, Jozlyn Bew, Jailee LaFleur, Tatum L’Heureux, Izzy Meek, Abram Papineau, Cali Papineau, Sandy Russell, and Fox Thompson ). The Littlest Angel finds that it is hard to match the perfection all around—especially if you don’t sing very well; have trouble keeping your robe, wings, and halo in order; and don’t find the activities of the other, more mature angels very interesting. When Gabriel finds out how much she misses the earth, he sends Rafael to bring her back a treasure from her life there: a box of special keepsakes from moments that she cherishes. With this, and her new duty turning pages for the Heavenly Choir, things go better for a while.

Then comes the announcement from the Angel Town Crier (Tatum L’Heureux) that the son of God is about to be born. All the angels begin to plan wonderful gifts to present to the Holy Child, and on the birth night itself, all these gifts are heaped at the foot of God’s throne. The Littlest Angel can think of nothing to give except her precious box, but when she sees how worthless it looks next to the other glittering gifts, and tries to take it back, she falls flat on her face before the throne.

What happens to the box, and to the Littlest Angel, provides an unexpected twist that will have the whole family smiling as they leave the auditorium.

The cast also includes several ABC Players members who have “passed on” to other places: Dean Barker, who is heard as the Voice of God, and Lou Ann and Bruce Jones, who recorded the pre-show announcement.

Tickets to The Littlest Angel can be purchased in advance by calling Stuarts Opera House at 740-753-1924, or by visiting the Events tab at www.stuartsoperahouse.org. Tickets can also be bought at the door. All tickets are $7, general admission seating.

After returning the Littlest Angel (Kaela Ricket) to Gabriel (Joe Balding) when she first attempts to fly, Rafael (Brittan Posey) suggests "You'd better get into the Novice Flying Class before you try that again." (Submitted)
After returning the Littlest Angel (Kaela Ricket) to Gabriel (Joe Balding) when she first attempts to fly, Rafael (Brittan Posey) suggests “You’d better get into the Novice Flying Class before you try that again.” (Submitted)
"I understand you are responsible for this." Rafael (Brittan Posey) holds up a ball the Littlest Angel (Kaela Ricket) has made from the hem of her robe, and which just hit him in the ear. Angels who are learning to play ball (Fox Thompson, Izzy Meek, Jozlyn Bew, and Jailee LaFleur, look on. (Submitted)
“I understand you are responsible for this.” Rafael (Brittan Posey) holds up a ball the Littlest Angel (Kaela Ricket) has made from the hem of her robe, and which just hit him in the ear. Angels who are learning to play ball (Fox Thompson, Izzy Meek, Jozlyn Bew, and Jailee LaFleur, look on. (Submitted)
The Littlest Angel (Kaela Ricket) explains to Gabriel (Joe Balding) that she just doesn't feel as though she fits in in Heaven. (Submitted)
The Littlest Angel (Kaela Ricket) explains to Gabriel (Joe Balding) that she just doesn’t feel as though she fits in in Heaven. (Submitted)
"Heaven is great and grand and glorious...but earth can be beautiful, too," the Littlest Angel (Kaela Ricket) tells Gabriel (Joe Balding). (Submitted)
“Heaven is great and grand and glorious…but earth can be beautiful, too,” the Littlest Angel (Kaela Ricket) tells Gabriel (Joe Balding). (Submitted)
"Gloria in excelsis Deo," sings the angel choir on Christmas night. Foreground: the Littlest Angel (Kaela Ricket) and Gabriel (Joe Balding). (Submitted)
“Gloria in excelsis Deo,” sings the angel choir on Christmas night. Foreground: the Littlest Angel (Kaela Ricket) and Gabriel (Joe Balding). (Submitted)