1234.

Get my shoes in.

Out the door.

Five.

I'm lost.

Six.

Seven.

Eight.

Feels great.

I'm gonna shine.

After I do what I'm gonna do.

I do it again.

Yeah.

Look at the sky with the beautiful color.

But never just for me.

You gotta share it with another.

I got to show, to give.

Let I want singing show.

Take a look and say a beautiful morning that turns into a beautiful evening.

And together make beautiful art.

And if you wanna see that, come along with me.

That's right.

Welcome to Experience Michiana.

We're so glad to have you here with us today.

We have a wonderful show for you.

You want to make sure you check out everything that we have to experience right here in Michiana.

Dave had the opportunity to check out the Ironworks Plaza.

They have their winter fest going on.

I gotta tell you, there's so many cool, cold activities that you can do.

Be sure to check that out.

Also had the opportunity to head over to premiere Art.

They have a gift for the community their performance.

It is written by Craig himself, local music and you want to see and get your free ticket to the gift coming up next weekend.

But first up, we're heading over to the South Bend Civic Theater for the best Christmas pageant ever.

Well, I'm on the stage, but today I'm at Southland Civic Theater and I have my friend with me, Aaron Nichols.

I love seeing you.

It's been a while since I've been on the stage with you.

Well, I love it when you come here.

These kind of on location reviews are my favorite, especially when the location is our beautiful Wilson Auditorium stage.

It is, and we're going to talk about the set in a little bit, but you guys have a lot of stuff going on.

I know we are officially into December now, but you guys are still doing some great things here.

Oh my gosh, we have so much going on.

We had a reading going on.

We have what we call our breakfast with Santa and friends, which is something we started.

We coordinated with Santa, called him up at the North Pole, and he is absolutely going to be here.

Actually, Mrs.

Claus is coming too.

That was part of the writer that she was to come as well.

They like it when they can spend time together.

It will be having I think it's a right in the morning.

Their brunches and Metro Diner brings.

All the food is delicious food.

They get to play games, you have activities you eat, and then you write letters to Santa.

You make a craft and then Santa's not anyone here at the civic, but Santa comes down from the North Pole and reads Twas the Night before Christmas with Mrs.

Claus.

And they, they they work with all the kids.

There may be snow machines involved.

It's just.

It's just the best time ever, really.

A whole entire experience.

It is.

It is.

And parents are looking for that kind of experience.

And honestly, it's better than than waiting for Santa at the mall.

I mean, Santa likes going to the mall, but it's it's all over.

But it is fun to have a little meal, have activities, and you really can have that great time supporting a local business.

And that's what we love in first two Saturdays of the first two Saturdays.

Tickets are probably limited at this point.

They are limited.

We have, I think, I think 90 per each one and there's three total.

There's one on that first, Saturday and then two on that second Saturday.

Okay.

Perfect.

Okay.

So once we get through that, you guys are getting ready.

I know we're just about to head into tech week here, right?

We are.

We are the best Christmas pageant.

And you are standing on the set.

And it's funny.

This is one of the first shows I ever did when I came back in 20, 20 years ago.

So we have we're glad to be bringing it back.

Is it how long it's been since you guys have?

I think so, yeah, it's been a while because I haven't seen this one performed much in the Michiana.

Yeah.

And it is a classic.

We love it.

And one of the nice things about it is it's short.

It's about it's a little over an hour.

So that means your littles can really enjoy this.

Sometimes a two hour, 2.5 hour show that becomes a little hard to have the kids be excited the whole time.

Definitely family friendly, definitely family friendly.

We and we are selling really well for this too.

So I would look at opens on what we call the 11th is our pay what you can preview.

Oh tell about that.

That is something we do for every one of our shows on the Thursday right before opening night.

In this case, it would be December 11th.

That Thursday night we have something called a pay what you can preview and that basically says we want to have this place full for our cast so that for that final dress that they can have a great cast.

But for the community, it's an opportunity to come for a dollar or five bucks or whatever you can afford and have a wonderful time at the theater.

What a gift it is.

We think so too, and that's that's our mission.

We want to create community through live theater, and that's one of the ways that we can do it.

So then it opens on the 12th, and then we actually have matinees and evening performances on the Saturdays.

Oh, because we found that Saturday matinee is something that's really attractive to people, because then they don't have to spend their evening.

They can do it a little earlier in the day for the kiddos, and a lot easier than being up until 10:00.

Well, especially with other Christmas parties happening and things like that, that gives more flexibility for everyone.

So that will go through the 11th to the 21st, then and then you're going to celebrate your holidays together after you come and celebrate with us.

I love it.

Okay, so I think this one became a movie, didn't it?

Yes.

Yeah.

This is one of those popular ones where it's just it's such a lovely story.

Again, it fits within our mission of okay, to the Santa metaphor, kids going from the naughty list to the nice list.

Okay?

Right.

Sometimes you think, okay, this kid's going to be naughty, or this kid's going to be nice, and this kind of flips that narrative and says, you can't judge a book by its cover.

These become it transforms the spirit of Christmas, the spirit of this Christmas pageant, and lets you understand that it's all about connecting.

It's all about embracing your community, maybe embracing those families that haven't been interacting as much with you.

And I love that we can tell that story here on the civic to make sure that our community realizes that empathy, compassion, kindness, grace, all of those beautiful things.

Spirits of the season can be celebrated right here.

Now, you're not directing this.

I'm not, I'm not.

So tell us a little bit more.

The how does the cast and the director, how do they work together to really bring all of those components?

Yeah.

I mean, Don Hunter, who's an amazing director, he worked at Bethel College, Bethel University now for a long time.

He's directing the show.

We have over 30 people in the cast.

Oh my gosh.

And so a lot of the tickets are going to be family and friends of that.

We love that too.

But having those rehearsals where people who are strangers, six weeks later, you're this cohort, this family, you know, you use family a lot in these kind of things, but it truly is.

You finished that process and you've been kind of refined in that fire of the stress and all the things of the, of the, of the show.

But then you come at the end of the season and you're like, oh, I have 30 new friends, right?

And isn't that isn't that great?

And for adults, not just kids.

And I do and I talk about that every time I'm on stage interviewing one of our amazing performing arts, centers in the area.

Yeah, I talk about that when you become it, whether you're a volunteer, whether you sit in the audience or you're on the stage or working behind the scenes, you become family.

It really is that it gives you that sense of belonging.

And that's just a wonderful thing.

Belonging is a perfect word.

I absolutely, and I want to talk about adult friendship.

You think about it, right?

Right.

Where do you think?

And old friends here at the civic, all these kind of places we can ask our friends.

We are be part of join things.

You know, that's so important to break some of the the loneliness that exists in these days and ages.

Go somewhere, do something together.

If it's at the civic, great.

But there's so many and you celebrate them all on your own on your show here, right?

All of these places where you can come together.

And speaking of going places, let's talk about this set, okay?

Okay.

Yeah.

This is going place I'm going to show you, and I'm going to show you how easy it is to.

So okay, here we don't have any beeps or anything, but I'm going to move.

Oh my gosh.

The entire set is on a turntable which means you have two totally different sets and a turntable is something where you have a middle point on a stage and you can move the entire set.

Just one shoulder here is moving the entire set around, and now we have the internal mechanics of our house that's earlier in the show.

So we go from home to church and back again several times during the show.

It's just a set design here.

Jeff Barrack is our resident scenic designer.

He's amazing, but we have so many volunteers who go above and beyond to make these kind of things possible.

So this is a civic theater, remember?

So these are your friends and family making it possible I love that.

Okay, so tell us a little bit more about the cast and the characters within this.

Sure.

Well, you have you have multiple families.

You have the it's basically telling this Christmas pageant, this nativity that happens and these families come from all these different places.

You have what you think is going to be the the normal cast of characters.

And then this family comes and they are known as kind of the oh, the trouble, the troublemakers, the ne'er do wells.

And she is they're cast as some of the lead characters and oh no, what happens next?

And I think people have a little surprise in store that maybe the people that they thought maybe wouldn't be as well behaved, maybe are the ones that bring that true Christmas spirit to life.

And what are you hoping people walk away from at the end of this?

You know, when they see this performance?

Yeah.

Is it a lesson of hope I think yeah.

Well said.

It's a lesson of hope.

But I think it's a lesson of allowing yourself to be open to everyone in your community so that you might not put up those barriers, put up those walls, but really do open yourself to that extreme, that that radical welcome that I think is so important during the season.

I love that.

Okay.

Remind us again, how can people get their tickets?

You guys have so much.

The best way is spiked.org.

That's our website.

We do have a call.

We can still use the phone if you want to.

574234 1112 if you want to go that way.

But again tickets are limited.

So get out there.

Get those tickets.

Once again we run the 11th through the 21st of December for the best Christmas pageant ever.

Perfect.

Awesome.

Thank you so much, Erin.

I appreciate your time and I guess we'll go for another ride.

Oh, you want to go?

Okay, okay.

Wait.

Can I get on it?

Yeah.

Okay.

Get on it.

Ready?

Here we go.

Take a ride.

You're going on the South Bend Civic Express.

The last time I was here with this tower of a man, Phil Blasko from Mishawaka Parks and Rec department.

It was.

Do you remember?

The sun was right up here, shining in our face.

Shining in my face.

I was absolutely sweating.

Just because, you know, once it gets over 70, being Irish, you know, just.

And now it's like 22 degrees outside.

It's all mental.

Come on now, you're fine.

It's definitely mental.

And I'm struggling right now.

It's just so cold.

I mean, I'm even wearing this hat, right?

So one bad choice.

Yeah.

You you you should have heard what he said before we started.

So, But anyway, I wear this hat, and people think my daughter is my grandchild, so it's okay, but, I, I'm here with Phil Blasko from Mishawaka, Parks and Rec department, and Phil Winter is coming up.

You obviously got the winter.

Yeah.

So what is Winterfest for anyone who doesn't know?

So Winter Fest is happening this Saturday, December 6th.

It's our kickoff to our ice rink.

And it starts at 5:00.

We have a ton of stuff planned that that evening.

So, 530 is the lighted parade.

Santa also arrive?

Will come out here on the ice.

We'll flip the switch.

We're going to light the annual Christmas tree.

We have free skating that night.

Then we also have, ice throwers or.

Sorry, flame throwers, ice carvers.

We have a winter market, trackless train, inflatables, a robot that's like, ten foot tall that walks around and shoots out smoke.

All right.

And we have food trucks, you name it.

Everything is going on down here in, on Ironworks Avenue.

I like the sound of the flamethrowers.

Yeah, right now that sounds good.

Yeah, it sounds really good.

I wish they were over here right now.

Just putting some away, I can't, I I'm sure it looks very cold on camera, but it's just the wind in the back of my head right now, and some of it is cold.

But as you mentioned, there's so much going on.

That robot.

I mean, where do you even find a robot?

So there's one coming.

It's coming from Chicago.

I feel like you find the weirdest things, but it's not.

Yeah.

Taylor Swift cover bands.

Yeah.

Well, the other thing I forgot to mention is we were concluding the night with, our second annual drone show.

So at 815, we're going to have the drone show to shoot off over here in this open field.

So the best spot is going to be here on Ironworks Avenue.

The drone show will be about 15 minutes long.

And Mister Chris Christmas himself designed it.

So, hopefully you like that and hopefully you show up for it.

I'm hoping I will show for it.

Two.

So it's on Saturday.

This Saturday.

Okay.

And what time does it start again?

Five starts at five.

Okay.

And, it'll conclude at 815 with the drone show.

So at 830, the event will be over.

I feel like you rocked over a lot of stuff there, though, because we got some time to talk about this.

So can you talk again about some of the things that are going on?

I know you mentioned this.

The skating is no cost on Saturday.

Yeah.

So that's just all those spots are already full.

So we have 400 people that will be out here skating two different sessions.

But yeah, again we have 20 I think 25 floats that are in the lighted parade.

Oh wow.

That'll start at 530.

And Santa Claus will be on the firetruck with the mayor when they come out and then, we have different flame throwing, performances that will happen on the ice Carver.

There's a ton of stuff.

Just as you're walking down the road.

Look to the right.

To the left.

There be a lot of stuff to do.

Everything that you're seeing down here is going to be free, to enjoy.

I mean, the food will cost and the vendors that are in the winter market, but all the attractions are all free, you know, this building here.

Couldn't we have gone inside here?

We could have.

But, like, why did we have to be out here to prove that it's winter we live in in northern Indiana.

It's just got to call too quick for me.

I love the snow, but like, couldn't it be like 30 degrees?

It's like 20 to get over it.

Can you have the hat on?

You're fine.

I know, but I need something to cover news here as well.

You have no idea how cold it is right now.

I mean, I know I keep on going on about it, so.

And I don't know if it's going to be any warmer on Saturday, but it's going to be fine.

I think I'll just have to dress up better.

But you are our Christmas.

I mean, a lot of people will know you from the fact that, like, you also decorate your house.

Yes.

And all of these different things.

And you have even been on like national TV shows that like that.

Right?

So yeah.

So you are Mr.

Christmas.

What is it about the season that you love?

Because it seems like as director, you really pour yourself into the winter fest too, because it sounds like it's going to be a really awesome night.

But why do you love this time of year?

Well, it's just brings everyone together.

It seems like everyone has a great time during Christmas season.

Families get together, they make memories.

Have a good time at our Christmas display at our house.

But then down here at the ice rink.

It's so cool seeing all the families coming out skating.

Or if they can't skate, they do the bumper cars.

Oh, there's something just magical about turning on the Christmas tree with Santa Claus.

Yeah.

And so it's one of those annual events that I really enjoy, putting it on for the community.

But also, it's just really cool because my whole family's down here, too.

It's something they look forward to.

And so, you know, it's one of those events that seems like our entire community, it's kind of like the, the fireworks for the 4th of July.

Everyone comes out for that.

It comes out for this event, too.

Yeah.

I'm not surprised with all the things that you have going on, on Saturday.

And then if people can't make it Saturday for this specific thing, what's happening then after that for the rest of the season is just ice skating or the other thing.

Yeah.

So we have probably around 20 to 30 different special events that will happen down here on the ice rink.

You have to go on our Facebook page on the different dates, but we have a lot of themed events that are happening throughout the entire season.

Our bumper cars are out every Monday, Wednesday and Sunday.

So if you've never done the bumper cars, be a big kid again.

Jump on those bumper cars.

There's joysticks, fly around, run into people.

It's a great time.

I think that is the thing about Christmas, though, is that there is still a part of our inner child that comes out.

Absolutely no one ever grow up.

Come on.

No, no.

I mean, if you grow up anymore, dude, I won't be able to see you.

I'm over seven foot.

I would like to grow up.

And the more I see your kids, every time I see your kids.

And because they were featured before, when we were doing the sliding down the hill where?

What's that park again?

George Wilson.

Yeah, yeah.

And so I feel like your kids are growing, like, three feet every year.

Well, I think my oldest daughter's probably at least six inches taller.

She is.

She is taller than me.

She is.

And she's so much nicer than me, too.

And she's way nicer than you.

So thankfully, she does take after her mom.

But yeah.

Winterfest is Saturday, 5:00 till 830.

Yep.

And it's going to be a great time here at Ironworks Plaza.

Yes, I say it right.

You did.

Okay.

Good work.

Thank you.

I can't think any more of my ears have frostbite, so thanks for.

Well, we are celebrating 100 years still here at the Lerner, and I have my wonderful friend Craig.

You have put really a true gift together.

Did you love a theme?

We did.

We do so much.

You have put together a beautiful piece, a performance that is really a gift to the community in every in every meaning of the word.

Right?

Yes, absolutely.

So The Gift is an original musical, that one Carlos Alarcon, who's a local musician, a local Grammy Award winning musician.

I mean, we have some I know he's amazing, you know, and so the two of us have got together and the music, there's original music, and then there's also some period music that we've infused into it, into the Gift, which is basically the telling of what life was like in 1924 as Harry Lerner was embarking on building this building.

And the show ends with the Grand opening on Thanksgiving night of 1924.

This is all.

Is it fictitious or.

I mean, did you put a lot of historical research into it here, man?

Yeah.

I mean, you know, I'm calling it a fiction based where we calling an official a fiction based on true events.

Okay.

So, you know, Harry Lerner didn't have Instagram or Facebook, and so we didn't know what he had for breakfast on that morning, but, but so there are some things that we've kind of taken dramatic license and kind of created a story around it.

But there's a lot of, characters from Elkhart history that the mayor at the time, the, you know, the Greenlee and the Beardsley's and lots of names that people maybe just see on street signs.

Exactly.

But they are actually people.

And we're here making an impact.

People of Elkhart and there are represented in the play.

And so, yeah, there's a little bit of, you know, a little mix of, of historical fact and, and just like, you know, dramatic license and infused and making it a story that, that people might be interested in and I, it's like an hour and five minutes long.

It's, so it's no intermission.

It's like, wow, little hallmark moment, that we're doing here to kind of celebrate this amazing facility that we have, you know, Harry Lerner's mission back in the day, as we tell it in the story, is to create an environment where community can come together and gather and celebrate.

And boy, are we not doing that.

We've been doing it for a long time, but especially this year.

You know, Diana Lawson has been the chairperson for the 100 year committee, and she's just created this amazing committee of people that have really stepped up and created really memorable things for the whole community and really for everyone in the community.

It hasn't just been, you know, a certain demographic.

There has been something for everyone.

And now with the gift being a true gift, thanks to the City of Elkhart, the friends of the Lerner, and the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau, this opportunity comes to our community for free.

So you still have to get a ticket just like you normally would.

But you are able to come and witness this and to participate in this.

And I just think, you know, what a what a gift.

I mean, it really is.

We got to stop saying.

But again, it is really, you know, an opportunity as a municipal building, as an, as an asset of the city for us to be able to offer things for every person.

There's not a reason.

Oh, not one reason after this year that someone would be like, oh, I can't go to the Lerner.

That's not for me.

There has been something for everyone, and really, there have been so many things that have been complimented, and we've been able to be a part of some of those things throughout the past year.

I know it's been wonderful.

All the things that have been offered within the community is this kind of the culminating piece of the 100 year ish, right?

Okay.

So it is kind of we have one more thing coming up.

I can check the website.

The, the lerner.com or the learned org for more information.

But we have It's a Wonderful Life coming Up, which will be a free screening of that movie here in the.

Yeah, it's kind of a great way to kind of that will be the true end.

But, you know, one of the most, the, one of the coolest things I think about the, the correlation of the year is that on that Sunday performance of the gift, right, right after the show, we are going to be sealing up a time capsule.

So we used to tell me about I know.

So we've been gathering stuff all year.

Because when I think Time Capsule, I think like I'm going to put like, you know, my slap bracelets in there.

Right.

But yes.

So one of the things that Diana's committee has done, which I think is, thank goodness we've done this, is that we're 100 years old, but we don't really have documented history of this building because it was privately owned, you know, but it was privately owned and privately owned and privately owned.

And then the city kind of purchased it and took over.

So a lot of those records weren't like kept like, you know, municipalities do.

And so we've really worked hard over this year to kind of create and gather stories and gather information and facts about the history of the Lerner.

So we're documenting that and putting it in this time capsule, which will be open in 50 more years, 50 more years, 50 more years.

So I'll be dead.

But, but for the younger folk out there, it's going to live on and really have a record of of the history and especially what we did this year to celebrate and to commemorate all of that.

And it's going to be displayed in the lobby and there's a window.

Is it going to be marked so people can find it?

You're going to bury it underneath.

You know, it's a little bit of both.

It's in the lobby there will be a new display that has a window that you can look in and see some of the items that's really special.

And so I think it's going to be very special in 50 years when they open it up and see the good work that had been done this year.

But really in preserving that history and kind of gathering all those facts.

So that's going to happen on that Sunday performance.

So the people who come to the show are going to have a chance to see, some of the committee members will be a small presentation in the ceiling up of that.

So that's really a special performance.

What am I use again?

When are the performances?

Because you guys are coming up 12 1314 okay.

So next Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and you know, and there's about 45 local people that have come together to be in the show, which is really just been a really treat.

A lot of new people, which I know, I know, you know, and so, you know, they've just kind of like, just jumped in and been a part of something kind of really special and unique.

It is, and, you know, on top of that, because we have this go big or go home mentality around here, we have 130 kids in a production of 101 Dalmatians.

Oh my gosh.

And that's happening simultaneously.

Yeah.

Of course, on Saturday, Saturday at in the afternoon.

But I have to tell you, isn't it?

I mean, we are clever.

We like a theme.

So we thought of launching into this 101st year of the of the Lerner that we would do 101 Dalmatians and adorable.

And we have, like, 130 kids.

And I'm telling you what, they are so cute.

And I love it the most of anything.

This year because there's so many littles in it, like five, six year olds.

And this is their first time being on the stage and their first time being in a show.

And it's just so adorable to watch them and talk about what that means.

You know, when those kids are starting to participate at a younger age and what that means for them long term, well, they're going to be here when the time capsules unveil.

Right.

They're going to be like, I remember when that guy was crazy.

But they're going to be here and be a part of this and kind of and then to be able to look back and think, oh, I really was a part of the fiber that is the Lerner Theater and a part of our community and a part of the history, teaching them really just to be a part of something bigger than themselves.

I think there's such a great lesson.

I know one of the, one of the individuals that I did the last show with, had done the performance previously, 15 years ago or so, for the same time.

Yeah.

Yes.

And like, she talked about, like I was a kid and here I am now today, I know.

So it really does make a lifelong impact.

And it goes in so many different ways into your professional life and into your personal life.

And, you know, theater, I mean, creators, the biggest team sport in the world.

Right?

And you think about love that you said that you 130 people on that 101 Dalmatian team.

That's really that's a big team.

But they do learn, like, life skills.

That's where we're not trying to create the next Broadway star, though.

That would be great.

We're not doing now.

We're trying to create good humans because as we get older, we're going to be living around these people.

And so the life skills that they learn in the theater, that they take into their work and into their school and into their community is really just priceless.

It is.

And you guys do just such phenomenal stuff here from beginning to end.

You know what?

What next year is going to be even better.

Oh, bigger.

Better right.

I know, we're so excited.

Launching next season with musical which doctor Seuss's birthday right around the his birthday little open.

And there's a new movie coming out about Seuss.

And so that's a really a fun show.

And then we will be the first community theater in this region to do frozen, because that's new.

Right now we are community theater, community theater.

So, you know, with the what we're able to do with the scale of this building and this stage, I can't no, no, no, don't do that.

And so frozen, frozen, frozen.

And then I can't believe that we've never done Guys and Dolls, but we have it.

But next summer we're going to do Guys and dolls, have fun, and then sister act in the fall, and then Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the holiday.

So it really is something for the whole family next year.

Yeah.

More like I love that people want to come and buy a ticket and sit in a sit in the seats, but like, you know firsthand how special it is to be on this.

It is, and especially when you're doing it with your family too.

That's even better.

I love it, I love it, and so I love that there's a great opportunity next year for all ages.

You know, frozen is kind of weird because you think frozen is for kids.

Well, there's like three kids in frozen and the rest of the ensemble is adults, but it's a big adult show.

Okay, I know, let it go and just come on down.

All right.

Where can people get their tickets?

At the premiere?

Arts dawg, the Lerner theater.com.

And you know, this, this time they're complimentary.

But then what?

We'll expect you to buy a seat later.

Paperwork.

That's right.

All right.

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much for joining us.

We'll see you again next week right here at Experience Michiana.

Angels we have heard on high.

Sweetly singing on the plains.

And the mountains.

In reply.

Echoing into his dreams.

Gloria.... in excelsis Deo Gloria... in excelsis Deo.

Shepherds.

Why this jubilee?

Why are your joyous strains prolong?

What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heavenly song?

Gloria... in excelsis dao.

Gloria... in excelsis Deo.

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