Playhouse youths put on show about Santa

Suzie Harrison

Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre will open its production of “Life and

Adventures of Santa Claus” today with a cast including Laguna’s

Nicolas Leighton, 10, Sophia Tupy, 12 and Taryn Dicterow, 15.

Originally published in 1902 by “Wizard of Oz” creator L. Frank

Baum, the “Life and Adventures of Santa Claus” is about what Santa

Claus represents, Playhouse Youth Director Joe Lauderdale said.

“It’s a story more that parents can learn from,” Lauderdale said.

“It has nothing to do with Christmas and gift giving. Santa Claus is

all about children. In Santa’s eyes they are all created equal, rich

or poor they are equal in his eyes.”

Lauderdale said it’s also about children’s needless suffering.

“What you can say to a child can be very devastating to them,”

Lauderdale said. “So it’s really about respecting children.”

Nicolas’ said his character Jacob is one of many poor children in

the village.

“He gets toys that Claus makes and Claus helps the kids understand

giving,” Nicolas said. “Claus doesn’t tell us anything about giving,

he shows us by how generous and kind he is.”

His character like the other children are expected to work all the

time and don’t get the luxury of school or play.

“I work all day except when Claus comes,” Nicolas said. “When he

comes all the children in the village are very excited because we

have never seen a toy before ... we have fun because we never have

before.”

Nicolas’ said the play helps people better understand the meaning

of Christmas and how to give.

“The message says don’t be greedy, and if you work hard to receive

your prize you will receive it eventually,” Nicolas said.

Sophia said in this story Santa grows up in a forest with these

magical beings that take him under their wing.

“When he’s finally shown the human world he’s very surprised to

see all these children working,” Sophia said. “He wants to do

something for them so they don’t have to work all the time.”

The “Life and Adventures of Santa Claus” will be performed at

Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road at 7:30 p.m. today, Sunday

at 2 and 7:30 p.m., Dec. 18 and 1 and 5 p.m.. Tickets are $19 for

adults 14 and older and $16 for children ages 5 to 13. Children under

5 are not admitted. For information, call (949) 497-2787.