The holidays get interesting when a small town is “crazier than fruitcake” – West Central Tribune

WILLMAR – The perfect fruit cake requires a delicate hand when handling the fruit and especially the nuts.

But when you add three dozen Christmas trees, thousands of outdoor Christmas lights, a chickenpox epidemic, two southern spinsters, an estranged old man, a lost cat named Tutti Frutti, and a Christmas pig named Buster, the recipe becomes more of a disaster.

Neil Kadlec as Jamie and Bill Wright as Mack in Fruitcakes at the Barn Theatre, November 26, 2024.JPG — Jamie, played by Neil Kadlec, a runaway, tells Mack Morgan, played by Bill Wright, why he ran away and ended up in McCords Ferry, at a dress rehearsal of “Fruitcakes” at the Barn Theater on November 26, 2024.

Enter city boy Jamie, who has run away from home and traveled as far as his money could take him. While he initially thinks the town’s residents are “crazier than fruitcake,” he comes to appreciate them for their eccentricity.

Julian Wiles’ screenplay offers audiences a family-friendly story of alienation, understanding and reconciliation.

Holden Stafford as Skeeter in Fruitcakes at the Barn Theater, November 26, 2024.JPG — Skeeter, played by Holden Stafford, recites Shakespeare to his catch at a dress rehearsal of “Fruitcakes” at the Barn Theater on November 26, 2024.

Performances take place December 5-7 at 7 p.m. and December 12-14 at 7 p.m., with two matinee performances at 2 p.m. on December 8 and 15. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students and can be purchased either online at www.thebarntheatre. com or at the box office. The box office is open Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 320-235-9500.

Directed by Sonja Madsen, the production stars Bill Wright as Mack Morgan, Neil Kadlec as Jamie, Alex Vasquez as Beebo Dantzler, Hope Onnen as Betty Jane, Hudson Helgeson as Little Beebo, Madison Olson as Sally, Michelle Gralish as Miss Sara and Denise Deaner stars as Miss Alice, Holdon Stafford as Skeeter, Melissa Wallace as Mattie Sue, Ben Watson as Rick Morgan and Jason Warner as James and Little Larry.

Christmas decorations with fruit cake at the Barn Theater, November 26, 2024.JPG — Townspeople sing to Buster the Christmas Pig during a dress rehearsal of “Fruitcakes” at the Barn Theater on November 26, 2024.

The production also stars Abby Wallace as Meredith, Biruk Heglund as Sammy, Emma Larson as Laura, Inex Hernandez as Joanie, Payson Bratsch as Amy, Jaylyn Platt as Marybeth, Aryanna Larson as Frances, Caden Anderson as Little Skeeter and Kimberly Wall see Little Billy and Jaxon Luft Sweep as Wiseman.

Melissa Wallace as Mattie Sue in Fruitcakes at the Barn Theater, November 26, 2024.JPG — Mattie Sue, played by Melissa Wallace, speaks not only to those around her, but also to herself, during a dress rehearsal of “Fruitcakes” at the Barn Theater on November 26, 2024.

Stage manager Chloe Jensen keeps things going behind the scenes, along with set designer Matt Onnen, prop master Trevor Eckhoff, costume designer Jan Buzzeo and lighting team Patrick Gilmore and Cassidy Albrecht.

Bill Wright as Mack in Fruitcakes at the Barn Theater, November 26, 2024.JPG — Mack Morgan, played by Bill Wright, finds himself in the middle of many crazy events during the holiday season in McCords Ferry in “Fruitcakes,” this year’s Christmas play at the Barn Theater.

Christmas play rehearsal in Fruitcakes at the Barn Theater November 26, 2024.JPG — The annual Christmas play rehearsal at McCord’s Ferry is full of hilarious pranks in “Fruitcakes” at the Barn Theater. The Christmas show will take place December 5-8 and December 12-15, 2024 in downtown Willmar.

By the West Central Tribune staff

Our newsroom occasionally reports under the headline “West Central Tribune Staff Report.” Often the title “West Central Tribune Staff Report” is used when rewriting basic short stories that come from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. Sometimes this byline is used when a news story includes many authors or when the story is created by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, this will be noted in the story.

The West Central Tribune newsroom can be reached by email:
[email protected] or phone 320-235-1150.

The holidays get interesting when a small town is “crazier than fruitcake” – West Central Tribune

ByAmelia Journalton

By Amelia Journalton

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