The Christmas Bus Rolls Into SVP

The Somerset Valley Players’ 2019 holiday show has all the ingredients necessary for heartwarming family entertainment: eight adorable orphans, a charming folk singer, a message of love, and, well, a bus!

When The Christmas Bus was selected to be SVP’s holiday presentation, Director Ed Hayden had a challenge on his hands. How to depict the story of orphans who go on an adventure in a beaten up old bus?

Luckily, Brent Kowalenko and Dominick Abbatiello came onboard with their expertise to help realize Hayden’s vision.

Co-set designer Kowalenko secured donated materials and built a bus-like frame that could hold 10 actors and included wheels (though they don't really turn). He finished the chassis of the bus with a roof made of high tech fabric.

Next came co-set designer Hayden's turn in adding door panels, a trunk, and the front of the bus. Hayden led a team of set builders who completed the inside seating and outside look of the bus. Scenic artists Amy Ewans and Jane Staats painted the bus including realistic rust stains to make the vehicle look like a bucket of bolts.

Now, once the bus set piece was constructed, Hayden needed a way to give the audience the illusion that it was "moving" on stage as the orphans were riding in it.

Enter Dominick Abbatiello!

Abbatiello devised a rear projection of moving scenery displayed on a scrim behind the bus that gives the audiences - and even the actors! - the sensation that the bus is moving.

Finally, cast member Cynthia Okamoto, who plays the kindly director of the Peaceful Valley Orphanage and the "driver" of the bus, decorated the finished product in holiday finery.

The results are "oohs" and "ahhs" when the bus takes center stage and the orphans' Christmas trip begins.

The Christmas Bus opened on December 6 and runs weekends through December 22.

Produced by Roberta Steve and stage managed by Shannen Rivers, The Christmas Bus is on stage at the Somerset Valley Players theater on 689 Amwell Road (Route 514) in Hillsborough. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m. Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m. The theater is air conditioned, barrier free and wheelchair accessible.

For tickets and show times go to www.svptheatre.org.