Purdue News
Purdue News
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November 30, 2001 Scrooge and Santa add humorous spark to PMO Christmas ShowWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Santa has always been a welcomed guest at the Purdue Musical Organizations' Christmas Show, but why invite Scrooge? "It's not your typical 'Bah! Humbug!' part," says Scrooge, played by Pat Day, a senior communications major from Frankfort, Ind. "This is Scrooge after the ghosts – the reformed Scrooge."
Day will banter with Santa and other characters to add a humorous twist to the 68th annual show, which will be performed in the Elliott Hall of Music Dec. 7, 8 and 9. "I try to be as wacky as possible," Day says. "I'm a ham on stage anyway." Day, who also serves as a first tenor in the Purdue Varsity Glee Club, admits he likes to add levity wherever he can. "I like to have fun," he says. "I don't take life too seriously, or you let little things get you down." Day plans to attend mortuary school after graduation to pursue his dream of becoming a funeral director. He says his future profession and his personality are not as contradictory as they seem. "Funeral directors are some of the funniest people I know," Day says. "You need to have a sense of humor to keep a good demeanor and deal with death." While Scrooge hasn't made an appearance at the Christmas show in more than a decade, Santa has been a much anticipated guest each year. For the second year in a row Joey Martin, a sophomore studying agricultural education, has received the nod to play the jolly old elf. "It's a fun character to be," Martin says. "I enjoy wearing the beard." Martin, a portly fellow himself, has played Santa for his grade school in Walton, Ind. He says the "ho, ho, ho's" resonate easily. "I wouldn't want to say it comes naturally, but I don't have to work at it." Martin says one of his favorite memories from playing Santa last year was working with the reindeer, who pulled Santa's sleigh. "A couple of times before we got out on stage, they got a little rowdy," Martin says. "One of them was a little anxious and I almost got poked with the antlers." Santa makes a different grand entrance every year. He has flown in like Peter Pan and also has arrived on a scooter, bicycle, remote-control truck, horse and even a flying goose. His method of entry this year is a secret. "I'm just waiting for him to be shot out of a cannon," deadpans Day. Martin, who sings second bass in the Glee Club, will sing "Deck the Halls" as Santa. "I kind of put myself into being Santa," Martin says. "It's not me singing, it's Santa." Martin plans on trying out for the part of the jolly elf again the next two years. He says he likes how Santa is such an audience favorite. "When the reindeer pulled me out on the sleigh, everybody started cheering and clapping," Martin says. This year, even Scrooge might garner some applause. Performances are scheduled for Dec. 7 at 8 p.m., Dec. 8 at noon, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets are $16 for students and $23 for the general public and can be purchased by calling (765) 494-3933 or 1-800-914-SHOW. Writer: Marydell Forbes, (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu Sources: Pat Day, (765) 746-1590; dayp@purdue.edu Joey Martin, (765) 743-6135; jlmmartin@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu PHOTO CAPTION: A publication-quality photograph is available at ftp://ftp.purdue.edu/pub/uns/martin.santa.jpeg.
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