By Amy Cherry

Staff Writer

St. Marys Catholic Middle School students are preparing a toe-tappin’ country-themed Christmas play scheduled for Wednesday at the St. Marys Catholic Elementary School auditorium.

The show will begin at 6:30 p.m. and last approximately one hour. This year’s play is under the direction of faculty members Susan Goetz and Marsan O’Leary, assistant director, along with the assistance of Lori Quinn and Aileen Hanes in making scenery/props.

When money and materials run out at Santa’s toyshop, the entire crew heads south to Branson, MO to raise the needed funds. Santa’s gang coordinates a down-home country music jamboree entitled “Holiday Hoedown” complete with reindeer masquerading as horses, rock and roll elves and a performance by the lovely ‘Dolly Holiday’, portrayed by Caitlin Quinn.

Other key roles include Anthony Hanes as Santa, Victoria Gleixner as Mrs. Claus and Max Struble as Yoakam, the head elf.

Tryouts were held in September  with work beginning on the play in October.

The 32-member student cast will present numerous songs including ‘Goin' To Branson’, ‘We're Not Reindeer’, ‘Layin' It All On The Line’, ‘Elves Lives’, ‘I Ain't No Willie Nelson’, ‘Will Santa Come Through?’, ‘Santa's Holiday Hoedown.’

Others who assisted in the show are Mick Armstrong of Kennedy Signs, Carl Hanes of C & A Seamless Gutters and Kathy Hoffman for scheduling use of the elementary gym.