Photo submitted to Times Observer A Christmas Spectacular! is brought to you by, from left, in front, Kadyn Moore, Emelyn Moore, Julia Getner, Caitlyn Pikna, Lara Pearson, Josie Pearson, Mara Dussia, Sydney Frederes, and Addison Leach; second row, kneeling, Kaitlyn McCracken, Lilly Branthoover, Sarah Tome, Madeline Archuleta, Abby Gens, Charleigh Archuleta, Abigail Wilson, Shayleigh Albaugh, and Nick Norrad; third row, Lettie Pearson, Izzy McMonigal, Sarah Hoffman, Jordan Young, Anna Courson, Noel Alexander, and Rocco Siliano; fourth row, Joshua Smith, Anne Schwanke, Kelsey Angove, Emily Ickert, Ashley Hoffman, Grayce Thomas, Hannah Augenstein, Casey Walters-Snook, Rachael Courson, Madison Hanks, Paige Rafalski, Ashley Stanton, Andrew Bailey, and Alyssa Wismar; and, fifth row, Joy McMonigal, Adam McChesney, Michael Stenberg, Allan Branthoover, Scottlyn Barr, Jillian Funari, Emma Darling, Rachel Dietsch, Logan Johnson, Hanna Hoffman, Samantha Morgan, and Molly Dies.

Has the snow and cold, the pushing and shoving in lines, the “too much to be done in too short of time” made your cheerful disposition sour and your joyful spirit disappear? Could this dour feeling be contagious? Could even that jolly old elf, Santa, be affected? It does seem so as Santa decides to cancel Christmas! Can the elves, reindeer, and the toys work their magic to pull Santa (and you) out of the dumps, or is Christmas to be lost this year?

It will be easy to catch “the Christmas spirit” next weekend by enjoying the annual high-kicking, heart-warming, joy-filled show: A Christmas Spectacular!

Presented by Warren’s own Molly Dies and her Dance Express troupe, this hometown show is familiar to those who have seen it the past two years, but with a new storyline and enough twists it will be “new” to all.

Don’t worry, the well-loved numbers that have become favorites are still there and so are new exciting routines that will take you on a true spirit of Christmas adventure. You will leave humming familiar Christmas songs and with a heart lifted to help you manage the gifts to wrap, the cookies to bake, and the tree to trim. Maybe you won’t mind the cold and snow as much either.

With several changes, the show is back for a third year for three performances. Besides a new story and routines, there is a different venue. Experience this adventure at Warren Area High School’s Auditorium at 345 East Fifth Avenue, Warren, (not the theater) on Saturday, Dec. 15, at 2 and 7 p.m., or Sunday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased at Linda Dies’ Dance Unlimited, 712 Conewango Avenue, Warren, from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; at the WAHS Auditorium door an hour prior to shows; or from any performer. General seating adult tickets are $15, and senior or student tickets are $10.

Children can be given a Magical Moment experience that includes reserved seating for the show, meet and greet with cast members, souvenir photos with the cast, face paintings, Christmas treats and goodies, and their names mentioned during the show. These Magical Moment experiences must be reserved ahead and are limited in number. The Magical Moments begin one hour prior to showtime. Email whitechristmas16365@gmail.com for information.

The show is directed by Molly Dies; Kirsten Darling is production manager; and Joy McMonigal the vocal director. Molly Dies and Samantha LaFate envisioned the new storyline, which was written by Samantha LaFate.

Logan Johnson, the #1 Elf In Training, takes us on a true adventure of Christmas. Other cast members include Kelsey Angove, Andrew Bailey, Allan Branthoover, Lilly Branthoover, Hanna Hoffman, Adam McChesney, Kaitlyn McCracken, Samantha Morgan, Nick Norrod, Anne Schwanke, Joshua Smith, Michael Stenberg, Abigail Wilson, Alyssa Wismar, and, of course, Santa.

The dancing Expressettes headline the show. They are Hannah Augenstein, Scottlyn Barr, Rachael Courson, Emma Darling, Rachel Dietsch, Jillian Funari, Ashley Hoffman, Paige Rafalski, and Ashley Stanton, along with Madison Hanks, Sarah Hoffman, Emily Ickert, Grayce Thomas, and Casey Walters-Snook.

Other Dance Express members in the show are Shayleigh Albaugh, Noel Alexander, Charleigh Archuleta, Madeline Archuleta, Anna Courson, Mara Dussia, Sydney Frederes, Abby Gens, Julia Getner, Addison Leach, Izzy McMonigal, Emelyn Moore, Kadyn Moore, Josie Pearson, Lara Pearson, Lettie Pearson, Caitlyn Pikna, Rocco Siliano, Ella Solberg, Sarah Tome, and Jordan Young.