50 | DECEMBER 5 • 2024 J
N
I
n a season of staging newer works,
the nonprofit Theatre NOVA in Ann
Arbor is presenting a production in
celebration of Chanukah — The Elves
and the Schumachers Two: Chanukah
Boogaloo.
Devised by local playwrights Carla
Milarch and R. MacKenzie Lewis, the
script follows in the tradition of British
pantos with a storyline, dialogue,
musical numbers, comedy routines
and special effects for children in the
audience.
This family-geared production, being
presented Dec. 6-Jan. 5, is the second
show in the season and the second time
the theater company is producing the
play introduced in 2018.
“It’s sort of a play about miracles,”
Milarch said. “It tells the story of a
Jewish family who move out into the
middle of nowhere in Indiana. They’re
the only Jews around town, and they
have a toy store.
“There’s an evil landlord who is trying
to evict them. Their toy store isn’t doing
great so they’re low on cash. They don’t
know what they’re going to do.
“Long story short, they have some
help from elves that come in. They are
helping make toys, and they are not
Christmas elves. The son keeps trying to
convince his mom that there’s a miracle
happening because they don’t know
where the toys are coming from.”
There’s a happy ending to the story,
and carrying that through are cast
members Jenna Pittman, Lindsey Brown
and Roxy Carlin with direction by Briana
O’Neal and musical direction by Brian
Buckner.
“There are three original songs, and
the rest are parodies,” Milarch said.
“That’s kind of the style of the panto. We
just did choreography for a number in
the show called ‘Rebel in the Sticks.’ The
song is based on the popular song ‘Rebel
Just for Kicks.’
“We take songs and write new lyrics.
It’s kind of like Forbidden Broadway. We
take popular songs and satirize them.”
As far as the original songs go, “What
Is a Miracle?” becomes among them with
music written by Lewis.
Milarch, who is not Jewish but had
many experiences of Jewish events
ARTS&LIFE
THEATER
Ann Arbor’s Theatre NOVA
presents a holiday treat.
Chanukah
Boogaloo
SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER