Based on a True Story

CLAREMONT, CA – This original production is filled with new as well as many traditional Christmas songs and a warm story filled with holiday cheer. Join the Candlelight Pavilion family and St. Nicholas, too, for a Christmas filled with warm wishes and a few surprises. Christmas Memories showcases from November 27 – December 26, 2009 at the Candlelight Pavilion.

The year is 1948 and a fresh out of High School Graduate, Katie Walters, is bound and determined to have a Christmas Memory. You see every year, her parents fly overseas to help Bob Hope entertain the Troops. This year Katie is planning to spend Christmas with her family, but with a delayed flight, she soon finds out that she may not see her parents for Christmas after all. With the help of her Aunt, Sister Mary Walters, the occupants of St. Mary’s School, and a little Christmas magic from the Big Man himself, she will have the best Christmas ever and will always have it in her own Christmas Memories.

This year’s production of Christmas Memories goes beyond the normal “Santa is Coming to Town” and brings a warmth and depth of the true reason for the holiday. The story is based on a few true stories from John LaLonde. His father, Ernie, was a janitor in both the church and school in Niagara Falls and Sister Mary Walters made many memories for the LaLonde family as she and the other nuns lived next door and were often around entertaining the family and creating many Christmas memories. You’ll have to see the show to see the hilarious memory that Sister Mary Walters and Santa created for the LaLonde family one Christmas years ago. Songs featured this year will include, “It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas,” “Ava Maria,” “A Time to Be Jolly/Sleigh Ride,” and of course, “Christmas Memories.” Also back this year is the chance to have your own Christmas memories read on the air, your child’s letter to Santa read by the Big Man himself, and a picture opportunity with the Clauses at the conclusion of the show.

Direction is by John LaLonde with Musical Direction created and developed under Doug Austin, current director of Citrus Singers at Citrus College in Glendora, CA. Alison Hooper, of Centre Stage Inc., developed and directed the choreography for Christmas Memories.

Candlelight Pavilion cast members include fresh new faces along with many memorable ones.  Back on the Pavilion stage this holiday season are actors Janice Lee (Mama/Reverend Mother), David Aldrede and Cliff Senior (Papa), Beth Mendoza (Sister Mary Walters), Bethany Slomka (Katie Walters), Jordan Lamoureux (Ernie the Janitor), Walt Schaefer (Father Martin), Jennifer Sarreal (Sister Mary Woo), and Adam Trent (Jeffrey).  The ensemble is comprised of performers Marius Beltran, Mark Velarde, Frankie Marone, Robert Ramirez, Deborah Fauerbach, Rosalinda Vasquez, Taylor Tracy, Stephanie Garrobo and Danielle Blackburn.

Christmas Memories opens November 27 at the Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater. Tickets are available by calling (909) 626-1254, ext 1. Ticket prices range from $48-$68 which includes both dinner and show.  The Candlelight Pavilion is proud to announce its flexible payment plans to all Season ticket holders; save 10-20% on season tickets when you book as few as four shows in 2011.   For more information regarding the 2011 season line-up and ticketing, please visit us online at www.thecpdt.com.