Southport Magazine

Oakwood Waits carolers from Raleigh, NC, perform at the 2013 Charles Dickens Christmas Festival. Photo by Frank Aaron

After two amazing and successful years of the streets of downtown Southport filled with Christmas cheer, the Brunswick Arts Council will be bringing the merriment back for a third year in a row on Saturday, November 29th. The third annual Charles Dickens Christmas Revue will grace the Southport Community Center building with a scaled-down event that promises to capture the spirit of Christmas and Charles Dickens once again.

“People have really gravitated toward this event each year and I really believe they look forward to it,” said event chair Sue MacCallum. “Dickens is the epitome of Christmas. Before Dickens and his novels, Christmas was not a word heard very often. He brought a lively festivity that people desired to indulge in and we have him to thank that we still do today.”

MacCallum was gracious enough to take time to speak with me on this year’s Christmas Revue as well as the Fezziwig’s Ball Murder Mystery Party that will be held at Brunswick Little Theatre’s new playhouse. “The event will be scaled back this year because it takes an enormous amount of volunteers and time from everyone involved,” MacCallum revealed.

The Christmas Revue is a partnership between the Brunswick Arts Council and the Southport Department of Tourism that encompasses goodwill and community during the holiday season. “This event will hopefully not only bring a smile to the citizens of Southport at Christmastime but also raise awareness for the arts in our community,” MacCallum commented. “Southport’s relationship with the Brunswick Arts Council strives to bring attention to the visual arts and funding for our artistic groups.”

Entertainment for the 2014 revue will be provided by the Oakwood Waits carolers from Raleigh, NC and performances by members of the Brunswick Little Theatre and the Winding Rivers Players. A matinee performance will be held at 3 p.m. that will last until 6 p.m., and guests can mosey themselves under the tent at the Southport Community Building patio for a lively “Victorian Social.” The social will include appetizers, entertainment, a cash bar, and feature a silent auction that will benefit the Brunswick Arts Council. Artwork will be displayed in the Community Building throughout the event provided by students in the area.

The theme of this year’s Dickens Christmas Revue is modeled from his own beloved story “A Christmas Carol” with the message of opening your heart to the power of love. “A Christmas Carol” is the tale of a mean-spirited character named Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by three spirits that come to warn him of his wicked ways. In the end, Scrooge realizes that his actions were hurting the people around him and in return decides to change his ways with a change of heart.

“This revue is a gift to the community,” MacCallum shared. “The revue focuses on how Scrooge’s heart was changed and went from closed and cold to warm and loving. And it reminds us all how the smallest bit of kindness, especially during the holiday season, can change everyone’s outlook, spirit and moral.”

The 2014 Charles Dickens Christmas Revue will be held Saturday, November 29th with a matinee showing at 3 p.m. followed by a “Victorian Social” under the tent at the Southport Community Building from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket prices are: $15 at the door, $12 in advance, $10 for seniors and $8 for students. For more information visit www.brunswickartscouncil.org. The Southport Community Building is located at 223 E. Bay St.

Downtown Southport also will have the chance to attend the Fezziwig’s Ball Murder Mystery Party that Brunswick Little Theatre will be hosting in their new home. Mr. Fezziwig who worked for Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” was a character that was everything Scrooge was not. Fezziwig was a jolly businessman who had cheerful memories of Christmas and treated people with respect and love. Director of this year’s Fezziwig’s Ball is Jen Lapalucci who also directs other workshops at the theatre including “Let’s Play!”—a children’s workshop. Guests of the Fezziwig’s Ball Murder Mystery Party will have two chances to try their luck at figuring out “who done it.”

“Guests are invited to float back in time to the 1850s and engage themselves during the ball and murder mystery party,” MacCallum said. “Actors will be dressed in timely fashion and dancing from the era of Dickens. We invite everyone to learn how to dance and participate with the actors.” All funds generated from this event will go toward the Brunswick Little Theatre to be able to purchase their new property.

The Fezziwig Ball Murder Mystery Party will be held on Friday, November 28th at 6 p.m. and Saturday, November 29th at 11 a.m. Tickets prices are: $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. For more infomration visit www.brunswicklittletheatre.com. Brunswick Little Theatre is located at 8068 River Road SE, Southport.