"THE LITTLEST CHRISTMAS TREE" GROWS MUSICALLY AND MAGICALLY IN MILFORD

The Christmas season is filled with angels and elves, candy canes and holiday stockings, reindeer named Rudolph and red and green ornaments. Santa is always center stage and this year is no exception. For Milford’s Pantochino Productions, however, the focus is on what is on Santa’s gift list this December. Santa wants a special holiday tree and he has entrusted his devoted elf Rolio to find it. While it's not the giant tree for New York City’s Rockefeller Center, it is still a big assignment and Rolio wants to get it right the first time. There are no do-overs when it comes to pleasing the Big Man with the Snowy Beard and the Jolly Laugh. Rolio is perfect in the hands of Rowan Simonelli, who takes his job seriously in this newest magical Christmas musical “The Littlest Christmas Tree," an original production with book and lyrics by Bert Bernardi, who also serves as devoted director, and music by Justin Rugg, a creative team that has garnered five Broadway World Awards for past original New Works and whose previous musicals are published, licensed and performed around the world. From Friday, December 3 to Sunday, December 19, “The Littlest Christmas Tree” will be performed at the Milford Arts Council, Railroad Avenue, Milford. Sets are by Von Del Mar, lighting by David Sexton, costumes by Jimmy Johansmeyer and sponsorship by Berchem Moses P.C. The North Pole is the most musical land in December as a friendly forest of trees compete to be Santa’s choice by coming to life in song and dance fashion. The show will star the talents of Mary Mannix, Jimmy Johansmeyer, Maria Berte, Shelley Marsh Poggio, Justin Rugg, Valerie Solli, Hazel Foley and Sierra DiMartino. For tickets ($25), go online to www.pantochino.com. Remember this is cabaret seating so you are invited to bring food and drink. Remember to wear your mask, covering your nose and mouth throughout the show. According to Bert Bernardi, who is the main man in the know, next to Santa Claus himself, “This is our first original musical since 2019 and we are so excited to be back with this exciting, funny and heartwarming new show. We can’t wait to bring families back to the theatre, and this show is the perfect holiday treat for all ages.” Take the gang to Pantochino Productions to begin a festive and fun holiday celebration.