A day after a tornado touched down in northwest Howard County, it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Mt. Hebron High School's auditorium. As girls in red dresses and boys dressed as Santa Claus danced on stage, artificial trees were decked with lights and ornaments offstage by cast and crew members of Howard County Summer Theatre in preparation for the group's production of "Irving Berlin's White Christmas."
"It's more fun to decorate now than in December," laughed Delia Chiu, a member of the company, as she added garland to a tree. "I'm in a rush in December to get things done. This is just fun."
Since its production of "Guys and Dolls" in 1975, Howard County Summer Theatre has produced a musical for the community. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the group's collaboration with Howard County Public School Systems and at the June 22 rehearsal, a small ceremony was held to sign a contract for the next 10 years.
"We celebrated our 10th anniversary by renewing it," said Ellen Flynn Giles, vice chairwoman of Howard County Board of Education. "We have a formal agreement with our partners. We want to be sure we're meeting the objectives of both parties."
As she sat and watched the rehearsal, Giles couldn't stop singing along and nodding her head, admitting with pride that she was a strong supporter of the group.
'It is a wonderful part of the community; I love it," Giles said. "It really is amazing."
Roy Appletree, co-coordinator of Prepare for Success, the school-supply drive in Howard County, also attended the ceremony in recognition of the donations summer theatre has given the non-profit through the years.
"Last year, they gave us $4,000," Appletree said, noting that the Summer Theatre was its largest donor. "In terms of the productions, it's outstanding. We look forward to it."
For many in the cast, the Summer Theatre has become a family affair, with siblings, spouses and parents and children acting together. This year's production of "Irving Berlin's White Christmas" – which is based on the 1954 movie starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney - is no different.
"My sister is in the show and my best friend," said Kassi Mattera, who graduated from Mt. Hebron in 2008 and now lives in Annapolis. "I've been involved with Summer Theatre since I moved here from Texas in 2004. I love it. There is such a sense of community."
Brothers Justin and Nathan Moe have been a part of Summer Theatre for years, too. This year, the two are sharing the lead roll of Phil, with each performing it four times.
"Double casts have challenges, but the advantage is we get to work together at home and help each other with our lines," Justin, 27, said. "It's been enjoyable."
Sharing the role of Phil has a sentimental element, too, for the brothers from Ellicott City.
"We've always enjoyed Danny Kaye as an actor and my grandfather did, too. We would watch Danny Kaye movies with him," Justin said. "Both Nathan and I want to dedicate this role to him."
Marloe Lippert, of Ellicott City, has been enjoying the experience even more because her daughter, Camden, 11, is in the production.
"I get to do what I love – singing, dancing and being with my sweet daughter," Lippert said. "It's a great opportunity. It's a family affair."
As she hopped around the back of the auditorium doing splits, Camden was all smiles.
"I really enjoy working with everyone," Camden said. "I really like being Susan [her role in "White Christmas"]. She's very energetic and that's sort of my personality."
Since 1982, Tom Sankey has been the director of the Summer Theatre. "White Christmas" will be his 34th production.
"Isn't that crazy?" Sankey said, laughing. "I enjoy it very much."
One of the biggest things Sankey likes about the Summer Theatre, is the people.
"It's a wonderful group of people," Sankey said. "There are a variety of ages. Our youngest actor is 10 to our oldest is in the 70s. It is so wonderful to see the young kids to the teens to the young adults and senior citizens work together in a production. It gives me energy."
Libby Burgess first saw a Howard County Summer Theatre production when she attended "Les Miserables" in 2014. As a cast member of another theater group that was putting on the same show, she was impressed with the Summer Theatre's production. She has been even more impressed with the cast's welcoming of her.
"Everyone is super friendly. It felt like family the third day of rehearsals," said Burgess, of Parkton. "As one of the newbies, I was flattered to get a lead role."
Burgess, 22, plays the role of Judy, as does Mattera.
It did help, she admitted, that she had just performed in the same show, in the same role, at a theater in York, Pa., over the holidays. The Summer Theatre's production, however, is different.
"It is challenging, because it is completely different," Burgess said.
A fan of the movie, Sankey has wanted to produce "White Christmas" since seeing it on Broadway. As a summer theater, not a winter one, the decision was to celebrate Christmas in July.
"We're having Christmas in July. It is something new, something different. We're trying to make it the holidays ... in Mt. Hebron," Sankey said. "We've decorated the lobby. We're trying to get the feel."
With "White Christmas," Sankey is proud to continue his tradition of producing "high quality shows for a remarkable price," he said.
"White Christmas is a certainly a family show that will be enjoyed by all ages," Sankey said."It is really a wonderful community event."
Howard County Summer Theatre presents "Irving Berlin's White Christmas" on July 1, 2, 6,7, 8 and 9 at 7 p.m.; and July 3 at 2 p.m., at Mt. Hebron High School, 9440 Old Frederick Road, Ellicott City. Tickets are $17; $13 for ages 11 and under and senior citizens.
