Buddy the Elf

Happy Holidays From ASP!

Does the holiday season make you feel all “sparklejollytwinklejingley” inside and out? This time last year our stage was home to Buddy the Elf and his friends. Familiar with the magical and comical holiday classic? The story follows Buddy the Elf as he ventures out from his home in the North Pole and crosses the seven levels of the Candy Cane Forest, past the sea of twirly-swirly gumdrops, and through the Lincoln Tunnel to find the father he never knew he had. What made Buddy so courageous to leave the people and place he has known all his life? FAMILY! Buddy’s desire to know and be close to the ones who matter most is such a sweet and sentimental reminder of what makes the holiday season so special. It’s spending time with the ones we love and hold dear!

And you, our sweet readers, are part of our extended theater family! While it has been some time since our seats have been filled and our stage has been set, you are as close to our hearts as ever, and we cannot wait to welcome you all back! In the meantime, just remember, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear! 🎶

Happy Holidays from our theater family to yours! 

hands holding a small present

Our Grown-Up Christmas List

Did ASPI’s Online Auction Pass you by? Didn’t place the winning bid? Don’t worry! There are other ways to make ASPI part of your holiday season!

Gift Certificates 

Did you know that you can give the gift of theater? You can choose any amount and print the certificate from the comfort of your own home!

Wish List

ASPI has our own “Christmas List”, including: power tools, sound equipment, etc. We hope we are on Santa’s nice list!

Become a Spotlight Sponsor

With four levels from Bronze to Platinum, you get to choose your contribution. Every sponsorship ensures quality ASPI productions for our community for years to come!

Theater Work Days

Or, give of your time to one of our Theater Work Days! From indoor maintenance to outdoor projects, all skills and talents are welcomed and oh so appreciated. Be sure to follow Abrams Spotlight Productions, Inc. on Facebook to stay up to date of future work days!

This holiday season is looking different for a lot of us! If you’re able, please consider adding ASPI to your list to receive some holiday cheer! 

Happy Holidays from our theater family to yours!

Getting ready for the Auction

Abrams Theater to Hold Online Auction

Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. seeks donations for its online virtual auction scheduled in early December. A wide variety of prizes will be up for grabs at the ASPI Spotlight Auction on Friday, Dec. 4, to Sunday, Dec. 6 at www.biddingowl.com/ASPI.

These dates coincide with the scheduled opening of “Elf, The Broadway Musical.” Unfortunately, “Elf,” “My Fair Lady,” and “The Diaries of Adam and Eve” were canceled in 2020 due to Covid-19. The auction is a way for the community theater to recover revenue these shows would have provided.

Covid-19 not only affects nonprofits like ASPI, it also affects the small businesses that nonprofits rely on for support. Donors can support local businesses and the theater at the same time by purchasing gift certificates from local companies and donating them to the auction. Those interested in donating prizes, prize baskets, or gift certificates are encouraged to email theater.aspi@gmail.com or call 920-826-5852. Prizes are due Sunday, Nov. 22.

ASPI is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that presents musicals, comedies, and dramas at the Nancy Byng Community Theater in Abrams.Caption: Brigette Finger, a volunteer with Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc., shows prize baskets included in the ASPI Spotlight Auction on Dec. 4-6. To donate a prize, email theater.aspi@gmail.com or call 920-826-5852.

Mona Lisa wearing a mask

Whistle While You Work

Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it’s off to an ASPI work day we go!

While our productions may be currently on hold, there is no shortage of maintenance, projects, and tasks to be done around the theater. We need your help to make sure the theater is up and ready to go for when our next season of shows begin.

We are having a socially distanced work day at the theater on Saturday, August 15, along with outside projects that can be done during the week and we need all hands on deck! From yard work to housekeeping, we have a job for you. Check out our other article: Work Day August 15, 2020 – Things To Do.

This work day is being organized by none other than ASPI veteran David Jolly, who eloquently shares why these work days are crucial to the ongoing success of the theater, especially in these unprecedented times.

“Our operations at ASPI were greatly affected by Covid-19. We were in our tech week for My Fair Lady in March when all activity had to be halted in response to the pandemic. All though all those associated with ASPI have had varying personal impacts, all of our lives have been rearranged and we must now consider the importance of various ‘non-essential’ activities and their place in our lives. ASPI will only continue to exist if many of its family members recommit to the necessary time and effort it takes to keep it going. Workdays are essential to the housekeeping tasks that must have volunteer support to be accomplished. Our upcoming workdays will be one of the first opportunities we have taken to see where we are at, in terms of ‘family’ or ‘community’ support. We will work together at this event to be protective of one another’s health while accomplishing some needed tasks.”

If you’re free Saturday, August 15th, stop by the theater between 9am-3pm! Whether it’s for a two hour time slot, or more, any amount of time can be accommodated. Please bring gloves, a mask, and some form of eye protection. Other equipment that would be greatly appreciated include: 2 string trimmers, 1 to 3 chainsaws (battery or gas powered), and 2 wheelbarrows.

We are planning to host these work days monthly so be sure to follow us on Facebook and stay tuned for future dates!

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the theater at (920) 826-5852.

cleaning supplies

Work Day August 15, 2020 Things to DO

Work Day Master List
August 15, 2020

Outside:

These can be done during the week if you cannot make Saturday Just call us at 920-826-5852 and let us know which outdoor items you can manage.

Clean and weed flower beds
Trim around building and grounds
Clean up pine tree branches on NW corner of property
Clean up brush on east side of parking lot
Sweep and clean patio area
Clean and check operation of grill

Inside:

Lobby:

Remove and store any props, costumes, set pieces
Clean glass doors, dust surfaces, sweep/vacuum floors

Bathrooms:

Empty trash bins
Clean mirrors/toilets/sinks/urinal
Clean water fountain
Sweep and mop floors
Re-stock paper products and soap

House (Auditorium) :

Empty trash and recycling bins
Remove and store all props, set pieces and costumes
Stack chairs (remove row tags FIRST)
Dust piano and window ledges, sweep floor

Concessions:

Unload all items in refrigerator

Basement:

Clean/organize scene shop and furniture storage area

Kitchen:

Empty trash and recycling bins
Wash dishes in sink area, clean countertops, sweep floor
If enough muscle is available, remove non-working appliances

Tools, equipment needed:

Bring gloves, mask, eye protection (goggles or glasses)
Wear long sleeves and pants, appropriate shoes

2 string trimmers
1-3 chainsaws, battery or gas powered
2 wheelbarrows

Read our other article regarding clean up day: Whistle While You Work

elf the musical

Elf the Musical

December 4, 5, 6 and December 11, 12, 13

Coming off the popular run of Abrams Spotlight Productions production of Elf the Musical Junior…. Our winter show will be Elf the Musical- the FULL production!   Based on the cherished 2003 New Line Cinema hit, Elf features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar (The Wedding Singer) and Chad Beguelin (Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway), with a book by Tony Award winners,Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone).

This production of Elf the Musical is the full length production and includes 2 more songs!  Elf the Musical will feature both adults and kids in various roles.  The modern-day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. After all, the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

Elf the Musical will be presented December 4, 5, 6 and December 11, 12, 13.

red derby hat

Loverly News

♫ I’ve grown accustomed to her face
She almost makes the day begin
I’ve grown accustomed to the tune that
She whistles night and noon ♫

We’ve grown accustomed to seeing all of your lovely faces and miss each one of you dearly! That is why we are excited and pleased to announce the NEW showtimes for My Fair Lady!

We’ll be back on the stage September 17th-20th & 24th-27th and cannot wait for you to join us.

All who had purchased tickets for the cancelled March showings can NOW exchange their tickets by calling the box office at 920-826-5852.

Want to attend a September showtime and did not previously have tickets to a March showing? Tickets will go on sale July 17th!

Have questions? Contact the box office at 920-826-5852. For future updates be sure to check us out on Facebook!

Social Distancing Check-In!

Hello to our lovely supporters and followers!

Even though we would love to welcome each and every one of you and dazzle you with our shows, things beyond our control prevent us from opening our doors. But while the days are long and we are confined to our homes, there are other ways that you can connect with us….

Keep up with us on social media! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and stay up to date on upcoming theater news. Check out our website!  You can even catch up on previous posts on our blog. The blog is filled with past interviews, history of the theater, and much more.

We wanted to assure you that ASPI is not letting the pandemic stop us from progress on future productions! Taking advantage of the unlimited possibilities of technology, ASPI held virtual auditions for the comedic play The Diaries of Adam and Eve. Cast and crew remain optimistic and driven 🙂

Like other nonprofits, we thrive off of community support, particularly through ticket sales. With our production of My Fair Lady postponed, these are uncertain times ahead financially as ASPI strives to be a stronghold in the community for years to come. Please consider supporting your local theater!

The theater is a place where one can escape from everyday life. While we are confined to our homes, let us all remain hopeful and confident in the joys ahead!

Wishing everyone safety and good health! 

My Fair Lady

Postponed – My Fair Lady

Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. has postponed the upcoming musical “My Fair Lady” and the Spotlight Wedding Show. Future dates for the shows are being reviewed.

The postponement is in support of the well-being of the theater-going public and those who work on the productions, subject to ongoing assessment by county and state health authorities. ASPI takes the health and safety of our patrons, staff and community seriously.

ASPI customers with tickets to “My Fair Lady” will be contacted via phone or email with further information. 

Please note that ASPI is a volunteer organization with many moving parts. Our volunteers spend countless hours rehearsing, working behind-the-scenes, and doing maintenance and groundskeeping. The community theater’s income is based upon ticket sales, advertising sponsorships, and donations.

Donations to the theater are appreciated, especially now with the postponement of the shows. ASPI will need to reinvest in its promotional materials and cover other unexpected costs. You can help out by clicking here.

We look forward to bringing the spotlight back to the community theater when the coronavirus is in check.

ASPI Postpones Production

Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. has postponed the upcoming musical “My Fair Lady” and the Spotlight Wedding Show. Future dates for the shows are being reviewed.

The postponement is in support of the well-being of the theater-going public and those who work on the productions, subject to ongoing assessment by county and state health authorities. ASPI takes the health and safety of our patrons, staff and community seriously.

ASPI customers with tickets to “My Fair Lady” will be contacted via phone or email with further information.

Please note that ASPI is a volunteer organization with many moving parts. Our volunteers spend countless hours rehearsing, working behind-the-scenes, and doing maintenance and groundskeeping. The community theater’s income is based upon ticket sales, advertising sponsorships, and donations.

Donations to the theater are appreciated, especially now with the postponement of the shows. ASPI will need to reinvest in its promotional materials and cover other unexpected costs. You can help out by clicking here.

We look forward to bringing the spotlight back to the community theater when the coronavirus is in check.