Little Theatre of Owatonna is excited to reveal its performances and many of its performers for the one-weekend-only performance on November 30, December 1-3 production, “SNAPSHOTS: Memories, Moments, Music.” Artistic directors are Kathy Purdie and Gaylene Steckelberg. Music director is Bev Cashman and Casting Consultant is Sue Schroeder.

Owatonna is a very diverse community and this show reflects that. The production includes different acts – some Christmas, but others from various experiences and traditions around the world. These allow LTO to share “devised theater,” for an “Owatonna only” experience.

In the same way that a snapshot from days past captures the fondest memory and magic of a family event, a holiday celebration, cultural experience, or a historic moment, we hope this production invokes that warm feeling all over again. We’re searching for hospitality this holiday season while celebrating cultural traditions from around the world. Each performance varies in many ways, dance to drama, music to magic and beyond. The production promises to entertain, educate and inspire.

SNAPSHOTS includes solo and group musical performances: “The Christmas Can Can,” a fun acapella number; a Negro spiritual; the moving “Mary Did You Know;” a comedic holiday vocal/instrumental duet; sacred choral selections by the Nuer Choir of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church; a women’s trio; and an inspiring Whitney Houston selection, “Greatest Love of All.”

Dramatic presentations also include music and feature re-enactments. Among these are the census pilgrimage to Bethlehem – Las Posadas – celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Las Posadas commemorates the journey Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge where Mary could give birth to baby Jesus. It introduces the idea of “hospitality,” a scene and theme that threads throughout the production.

Other performances include an Hispanic explanation and portrayal including angel dancers of the Quinceanera celebrating 15-year old girls; an informative personal story-telling by a local Somali woman; the national dance of Venezuela, and a solemn portrayal of the 1914 Christmas Truce. Story-telling, both poignant and humorous as well as magic – the first on LTO’s stage – round out this special family-friendly LTO opportunity

Performers include: Korey Adams, Ana Alvarez, Erika and Abiley Arevalo, Ray Bissen, Sandy Brooks, Veronica Canales and Sofhia Garcia, Bev Cashman, Amelia and Raul Castillo, David DeNeui, Kendall Evans, Chely, Adrian, Lina, and Diego Flores, Sarah Friesen, Barbara and Lucio Garcia, Marina Gonzalez, Kenneth Griswold, Emma Hellevik, Noris Hemingway, Don and Lauren Hettinga, Cecelia Huerto, Jaylee Jacobo, Cody Jensen, Rebecca Jock, Howard Kittelson, Lucy Leyva, Janie and Adalia List, Gabriela and Tatiana Lozada, Zulema Macias, William McIntyre, Ivette Maya, Jason Meyer, Khadra Muhidin, Maribel Palomo, Narce Reyes, Mariana Salinas, Tona Sanchez, Dave Schroeder, Rebecca Somers, Fina Tellez, Vanessa Tovar, Caleb Wagner, Dylan Weese, Edenia and Edeline Zamarron, Karla Jacobo Zavaleta, and Mark Zollner.

Performances of SNAPSHOTS: Memories, Moments, Music will be one-weekend-only at 7:30 PM on November 30th, December 1st-2nd and December 3rd at 2 PM. Tickets will be available online on November 25th. The LTO Box Office will open November 27th. Hours: M-W: 4 PM-6:30 PM, Production Thursday: 4-7:30 PM, Friday: 4 Pm-7:30 PM, Saturday: 5:30 PM-7:30 PM, Sunday: 12:30 PM-2 PM. The Box Office can be reached at 507-451-0764.