By Gina Willey Hutchinson
Curtain Up! Light the Lights! It’s Showtime on Sunday at The Newport Opera House. The Red Star Productions Show Team, directed by Newport native Gina Willey Hutchinson will arrive in Newport at 9:00 AM Sunday for their final stage rehearsal before the curtain goes up at 2:00 PM. This is the first time the show, to benefit the Willey-Perra Community Christmas Program, is a matinee and it is proving to be very popular. With less than a week before the show, preshow ticket sales are higher than previous years.
Newport native and Founder/Owner of Red Star Productions Gina Willey Hutchinson reports that final preparations and rehearsals are taking place in Derry, before the team comes to Newport for a 9:00 AM final practice on Sunday. No matter what kind of holiday music you enjoy, there is something for everyone from “Let It Go” from Frozen, to The Tran Siberian Orchestra Red Star renditions, it is a show to get everyone in the holiday spirit. The youngest performer is three years old in a routine with an average age of four. They think they are the Elves on a Shelf and might be sneaking onto the stage, thinking it is a very big shelf. At the other end of the spectrum is Alanna Grondine who graduated from The University of Massachusetts, Lowell and is an engineer, as well as the current Miss Portsmouth and Suffolk University Senior Morgan Torre. This high honor student is almost finished, as she is graduating a semester early.
Among the touching Willey-Perra stories this year is one of amazing determination by Director Ron Perra. He has been battling lung cancer for the past few months yet has been determined to realize several benchmarks. One was Thanksgiving. Another, his anniversary to wife, Ellen. He made both. Now his goal is to be at Sunday’s Red Star show and it is looking good thus far, though he will need some help from his family. He has been a director since 1989 and exemplifies everything that is Willey-Perra. His love of the Program and helping Newport’s children came from growing up in Newport and raising his own family there. Joining Perra. at the show he always loved. will certainly exemplify the true meaning of Christmas.
For years, Willey=Perra has been honored to help the children at Orion House. This year, the children want to give back to the Program and have donated some of the money they earn doing various jobs. They have pooled their money to purchase some items that are in need and in their budget. Giving back, of course, being a valuable lesson taught at Orion House.
An added touch this year, are the holiday treats prepared by The Old Court House Restaurant Staff. They will be available at intermission for a donation to Willey-Perra in any amount. Show tickets can be purchased at The Petal Patch Florist until Saturday, December 10 at noon or by calling the Petal Patch at 603-863-3833 to have your tickets for pick up at the door. Doors open at 1:30 PM for the 2:00 show. Tickets are $10.00 for adults; $5.00 for under 18 and 65 plus. All proceeds go directly to the Willey-Perra children. This is a wonderful show for a great cause.
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