Burke Connection

When Daniel was a boy, Santa didn’t bring him his Christmas wish. Now grown, he manages a hotel in New York City. But his job consumes his time, and his love for the holiday season and its festivities has seriously dimmed. So when an elf named Felix goes there to grant his long-forgotten childhood wish, problems and hilarity ensue.

That’s the premise of Chantilly-based, Encore Theatrical Arts Project’s upcoming Christmas show, “The Christmas Wish.” A Broadway-style extravaganza featuring dazzling dances, colorful costumes and elaborate sets, it’ll be presented at Northern Virginia Community College’s Richard Ernst Theatre, 8430 Center Drive in Annandale. 

“The dancers have been rehearsing 20-25 hours/week since the end of July and are really incredible,” said Encore founder Raynor van der Merwe. “They’re high achievers and such a hardworking, passionate group. I’m so lucky to work with them.” 

The curtain rises Saturday, Dec. 13, at noon, 4 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 14, at noon and 4 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 20, at noon, 4 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 21, at noon and 4 p.m. Tickets are $27-$40, with Girl Scout packages available, via www.encore-tap.org or call 703-222-5511.

Centreville High grad and Encore alumnus Paige Williams wrote the script, for the second year in a row. Most of the scenes take place in the hotel lobby and in Santa’s workshop at the North Pole.

And joining the 26-student cast are professional actors Logan Dolence as Daniel and Matty Rafanelli as Felix. “The storyline is so entertaining, and our guest performers have the most amazing singing voices,” said van der Merwe. “There’s great music and dancing, and the whole show is joyful, entertaining and uplifting.”

It’s special, as well, because it’s Encore’s 30th anniversary Christmas musical. And to celebrate, there’ll be a 6:30 p.m. reception for Encore alumni and their families before the Dec. 20 show. The alumni will also perform the iconic number, “We Need a Little Christmas,” together onstage.

Clarissa Yeager, a dancer for 12 years – six with Encore, plays the role of Jessica, a hotel staff member. “She’s passionate about her job, but a little forgetful,” said Yeager. “She’s also a jokester and a fun person to be around. I really like her; I have lots of choices in how I can portray her. And her relationship with Daniel is insightful because it shows his character.”

Her favorite song is “Let Yourself Go,” danced by the hotel doorman and maids. “It’s an old-school, classic, musical number that’s really fun,” said Yeager. “There’s a lot going on, and it’s very festive and upbeat.” She plays the doorman in this dance and gets to wear one of the costumes she likes best – a fancy top hat, red jacket and black pants with a red-stripe down each leg. 

She said this show has “a lot of magic and is perfect to see this time of year to get you into the holiday spirit. When I watched it for the first time, I thought it was awesome, and I wanted to be up on stage doing that too. And now, I get to make other people in the audience feel that way, too. I get to share something everyone can enjoy and be a part of. The whole time, the show transports you into a Christmasy world. And it feels like you’re seeing the ‘Virginia Rockettes.’”

Chantilly High senior Nadiya Vandrapu, an Encore dancer for seven years, portrays Stephanie, Daniel’s head of staff at the hotel. “She’s trustworthy and is the only person who can handle him [and his temper],” said Vandrapu. “And she makes sure everything runs smoothly whenever he’s away. She’s hardworking and patient, and can be clumsy, but she’s well-meaning and also bubbly and outgoing.”

Enjoying her role, she said Stephanie has lots of costume changes and funny scenes – including one where she’s dressed as Frosty the Snowman. “I can have lots of creativity with the way I play her,” said Vandrapu. “And her different costumes show all the jobs she’s doing and the depth of her character.”

She particularly likes the number, “Curtain Tap,” a tap dance where the curtain’s closed and the audience can only see the dancers’ feet in fuzzy, cartoon-character and animal slippers. “I’m Elmo,” she said. “It’s an Encore classic, and I like hearing the audience’s reaction to it. They did it in my first year here, so I’m glad I can do it for my last year, as well.”

Vandrapu said this show is “fun for the whole family – not just kids, but parents, too, for different reasons. There’s singing, dancing and acting for everyone, and adults will also appreciate our professional level of dancing. It’s a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit and a fun, holiday activity to participate in.”

Playing Chilly the Elf is Chantilly senior Claire Youk. She’s been dancing since age 6 when she joined Encore. “Chilly’s in charge of North Pole security, and Felix is her best friend, although they have more of a sibling dynamic,” said Youk. “Felix has all these crazy ideas about granting Daniel’s wish – even though he’s now a grown man. And when Felix leaves the North Pole to do it, she covers for him and then goes to New York to bring him back.”

“So Chilly is mainly annoyed,” continued Youk. “She’s a level-headed, no-nonsense person who takes her job very seriously and doesn’t want to get into trouble with Santa Claus. I love playing her because being annoyed onstage is a different emotion from when I’m dancing and being happy.”

Youk’s favorite song is “Once-A-Year Day,” sung by the elves. “It’s chaotic and has lots of props, flips, falls and tricks, so we have to be on top of everything while we’re dancing,” she explained. “We wear multicolored costumes that are only in that one number. And that song showcases the elves in the workshop.”

Calling “The Christmas Wish” unique, she said, “You can’t get a high-production, Broadway-type, Christmas show around here except for Encore’s. And it’s done by students who are really well-trained dancers. The plot changes every year, so it’s always different. And you can see this show multiple times and still see new things each time.”

Chantilly senior Adeline Raines portrays Annie the Elf. “She’s friendly and also curious,” said Raines. “When an alarm sounds at the North Pole, she asks her friends if they know what’s happening. But she stays calm and relaxed, instead of worrying. Last year, I played a shy character, so it’s fun to play someone more outspoken.”

Dancing since age 3 and with Encore since age 7, she, too, loves the style of dance they do, plus the camaraderie they feel. “We’re all excited to be onstage together,” said Raines. “It’s long hours, but fun long hours. My favorite number in the show is the 12-minute finale. We did this my first year in company, so it’s full circle for me. There are lots of different sections with different costumes – plus jazz, tap and ballet – all within the same dance.”

Raines said people will enjoy the production’s funny storyline and appreciate that it’s different from other holiday shows. And, she added, “The reindeer costumes are really cute. It’s fun to see them dancing onstage because they add such variety to the show.” There’s also a sense of excitement among the Encore dancers because “The Christmas Wish” marks three decades of this special event.

Reflecting on how it feels to celebrate 30 years of Christmas spectaculars, van der Merwe said, “I never slowed down or stopped to think about where I was in my journey. And then suddenly, here we are. So this has been a nostalgic time, as I’ve been going through old photos and videos for the reception. And I have an immense feeling of love and gratitude for what I get to do and for all the amazing people who’ve passed through this company – and especially those who supported me at the beginning.”