“Who took Santa Claus?” is the question that audiences of ages will be asking when they attend Stagecrafters Youth Theatre’s production of Just in the Nick of Time! This holiday whodunit for the whole family runs December 6th through 9th at the Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette in downtown Royal Oak.

A busy and colorful North Pole is humming with activity as December 25^th approaches. When North Pole citizens, elves and Mrs. Claus (Cassie Morris of Royal Oak) discover the disappearance of Santa Claus (Aaron Koss of Rochester Hills), they hire ace detective Red Mistletoe (Drew Prokop of Birmingham) to find him. As if losing Santa wasn't enough, the colorful citizens are losing their Christmas spirit and their holiday hues. Could the three suspicious new arrivals, Bob Humbug (Brendan Battle of Royal Oak), Humbug’s sidekick, Fruitcake (Max Morton of Royal Oak) and Santa’s new secretary, Holly Wreath (Chantal Shaw of Troy) know anything about Santa's whereabouts? Can Red save Santa in time to bring a colorful Christmas to the children of the world — Just in the Nick of Time? Make plans to attend a performance to find out!

Director Barbara Vorves of Royal Oak has found this play a retrospective experience. “The first skit I wrote/directed/costumed/performed for my family (as a 10-year-old) was scripted for  the North Pole as is Just in the Nick of Time,” says Vorves.  Vorves is also the chair of Stagecrafters Youth Theatre committee. She has found joy and fulfillment in working behind-the scenes and in the director’s chair. “It is always great to witness the growth and confidence our youth experience when presented with new environments, people and situations. It is an honor to be a part of supporting a positive and creative experience for them,” says Vorves.

Along with Vorves, Mitch Aiello of Troy is assistant directing. Aiello is a 2011 graduate and scholarship recipient of Stagecrafters Youth Theatre program. He was directed by Vorves in his first play, The Nutcracker at the Baldwin Theatre in 2005 when he was just 10-years-old. Vorves says, “Mitch has brought wonderful vitality, ability and imagination to the directing process.”

Advance tickets for performances are $6 youth and $10 adult. Tickets may be purchased online at www.stagecrafters.org(online handling fees apply) or by phone at 248-541-6430 using Visa and MasterCard. All seats are reserved.  If shows have not sold out, tickets can be purchased at the box office one hour prior to the performance for an additional $2.00 per ticket.

Show dates and times follow:

Thursday, Dec 6 - 7:00 pm

Friday, Dec 7 - 7:00 pm

Saturday, Dec 8 - 3:00 & 7:00 pm

Sunday, Dec 9 - 1:00 pm 

"Just in the Nick of Time" Cast by Community

Berkley

Michael Chalela (Toy Tester Elf #2)

Beverly Hills

Jack Chekal (Candy Cane #2)

Birmingham

Drew Prokop (Det. Red Mistletoe)

Clawson

Elena Ochoa (Elf Girl #1)

Samantha Pollock (Snowflake #3)

Madison Siwak (Tree #2)

Max Siwak (Dr. Green)

Huntington Woods

Jacob Gringorten (Toy Tester Elf #1)

Celia Lipton (Snowflake #1)

Lathrup Village

Cole Skory (Elder Elf #1)

Gabriella Skory (Student Director)

Pleasant Ridge

Matthew Baker-Grunza (Purple Gumdrop)

Harrison Suchyta (Tree #1)

Emma Tomsich (Elf Girl #2)

Rochester Hills

Aaron Koss (Santa Claus)

Royal Oak

Brendan Battle (Bob Humbug)

Ben Bowen (Toy Tester Elf #3)

Mary Doman (Elder Elf #2)

Mollie Ewald (Orange Gumdrop)

Cassie Morris (Mrs. Claus)

Max Morton (Fruitcake)

Isabelle Sawicki (Snowflake #2)

Sophie Sawicki (Elf Girl #3)

Sarah Soraghan (Candy Cane #1)

Troy

Chantal Shaw (Holly Wreath)

Madison Strachan (Snowflake #4)