50 | DECEMBER 5 • 2024 J
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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