9 Fun Facts About Once Upon A Holiday

1. This is technically the 7th year of the full Once Upon A Holiday show.  The idea started in 2006 with a small collection of dances, including the Soldiers number we see today.  In 2007 the show expanded to one act, and in 2008 it became the 2 act show that we know now.  The show changes a little bit each year, and this year's show will include some up beat tap dancing!
2. Alice has a penguin phobia.  Since the start of Once Upon A Holiday, Alice has had a penguin phobia.  This is a quirky fact about the show that audience members may overlook, but should just go along with!  Her phobia comes out at the end of the party scene, and also when she runs into the Grinch's special sidekicks.
3. This is Once Upon A Holiday's first year in Roswell! SIDEWAYS is excited to bring the show closer to home this year, and we hope to share it with our biggest audience yet!
4. In 9 years of the show, Lindsey Perry will premiere as our 4th “Alice.”  The first Alice was played by Haley Varano, who is now a senior in high school and the current Alice Captain.  Lindsey is our youngest Alice since Haley, who was the same age when she debuted!
5. In the very first show, Haley's brother Brandon had to crawl on stage to turn the lights on and off!  Many family members of the performers have been involved with the show each year appearing in the party scene, working as tech crew, or even helping back stage.
6. Only 5 children performed in the first show. SIDEWAYS dancers performed many of the dances that children perform today, including Disco Christmas and Gingerbread!  We have over 30 children performing on stage this year.
7. Anslee Berry and Jeremy Williamson are the only performers who have been in every show.  Anslee is now a junior in high school.  She was Alice's sister for several years, and this year will premier as one of Mrs.Claus' reindeer!
8. The large present box that Mrs. Claus appears from wasn't always so glamorous.  The first year of the show, the large present box was made out of a refrigerator box!
9. Mary Ann, who plays Alice's Mom in the show, is also an amazing costume designer!  She designed and sewed all of the party skirts that professional SIDEWAYS members are wearing, and both of the costumes that Alice wears in the show today!

We hope you join us for Once Upon A Holiday this weekend, November 21 – 23, at Blessed Trinity High School.  The show is on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.  Tickets are available online and at the door.  See you there!