Albright Theatre to present ‘Just in the Nick of Time!’

Tired of the same old holiday shows? Check out the Albright Theatre’s production of “Just in the Nick of Time!” by Linda Daugherty.

The play is a holiday whodunit with plenty of laughs, and the show is appropriate for all ages. It will run Dec. 6-15 in Batavia.

The plot revolves around a mystery. Christmas is coming and Santa Claus is missing. The vibrant citizens of the North Pole soon start to lose their Christmas spirit — and their color. It’s up to Detective Red Mistletoe to get some answers and to save Christmas.

“It has been a joy to direct this cast of adults, young adults and children for my directorial debut”, says director Ron Gustin of Batavia. “Working with the actors, gathering the props, creating the set and making this a wonderful show has been a labor of love. I hope everyone will come to see the color that Christmas has to offer us.”

This vibrant cast includes some real characters and features actors of all ages. Annie Hanlin (Batavia) is the clever Detective Red Mistletoe. Bob Humbug (Kristen Duerdoth of Geneva), Holly Wreath (Allison Griffiths of St. Charles) and Fruitcake (Connor Madziarczyk of Sugar Grove) are the villainous trio that try their best to strip the Christmas spirit from the North Pole. It wouldn’t be a holiday show without Santa and Mrs. Claus (played by Von and Jan Peery of North Aurora). Dane Marvin (Batavia) is the nerdy and lovable Dr. Green. The giggly, boy-crazy Elf Girls are played by Ava Schumock (Geneva), Morgan Donohue (Batavia) and Evie Beck (Sugar Grove). The rough-and-tumble Toy Tester Elves are Lane Hanlin (Batavia), Alex Schuhow (Batavia) and Drew Lillig (North Aurora). Landon Keller (Batavia) and Anna Malay (Batavia) are the wise Elder Elves. The Gumdrop Trio — Blue Gumdrop (Sam Schuhow of Batavia), Orange Gumdrop (Ronni Gustin of Batavia) and Purple Gumdrop (MaKenna Donohue of Batavia) — will surely send you into sugar shock. And don’t forget the sweet Candy Cane (Naomi Gustin of Batavia), sparkly Snowflake (Maya Malay of Batavia) and the majestic (though a bit clumsy) Tree (Xander Peery of Batavia). The cast is supported by director Ron Gustin of Batavia, assistant director, JP Quirk of South Elgin and producer Erin Cauley of St. Charles.

“Unfortunately, outside of school, there aren’t many opportunities for young people to take to the stage, so it has been a pleasure to work with such a great cast of up-and-coming superstars”, JP Quirk said. “‘Just in the Nick of Time!’ is just one of those shows — even if you aren’t ready for the ‘Christmas Rush,’ you can’t help but smile and enjoy the fantasy that is the North Pole.”

“Just in the Nick of Time!” will run weekends Dec. 6-15. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays at the Albright Theatre Company, 100 N. Island Ave. (third floor of the Batavia Government Building), Batavia. Tickets are $12 for adults and $9 for students and seniors. Bring in a nonperishable food donation and receive $1 off your full price ticket purchase. For tickets or details, call (630) 406-8838 or visit www.albrighttheatre.com.