But several things elevate Valley Performing Arts' presentation, the first in this part of Alaska, above the level of facile sentimentality. For one thing, a pre-curtain slide show juxtaposes photographs of the island and its inhabitants from the era of the story, taken by teacher Juan Munoz, with illustrations by his wife, Rie Munoz; her artwork has undoubtedly helped make Rogers' book as popular as it is.
Secondly, this production incorporates real Inupiaq music, courtesy of Kotzebuers Martin Woods, Mary Swisher and Elmer Waller. At one point the whole cast is up and dancing.
But what really sells the show is the enthusiasm of the cast. The CD, with only the bare music, has a tediously canned feel. This is not the case when living, breathing people are moving and singing in front of you and infectiously enjoying what they're doing.
Above all, the prominent use of musically and dramatically talented children is irresistibly endearing.
VPA's version falls along the lines of a staged oratorio. It is fully acted out in costume -- that is kuspuks and mukluks -- and mostly sung throughout. In addition to directing the show, Jennifer Dalby leads the orchestra of 15 other players from the keyboard. Choreographer Kathy Harris effectively has the crowd of performers -- almost everyone is onstage almost the whole time -- move around a unit set that simulates the village, the path over the top of the island, the church and, finally, the night sky.
A narrator (Joe Hartman) shares storytelling duties with the chorus, who present their part with excellent, clear diction. The village awaits the supply ship North Star to deliver gifts, food, fuel, medicine and their priest, Father Carroll (Ed Ripley). But the Bering Sea is rapidly freezing, and a storm keeps them from reaching the ship.
Yes, it spells trouble, but a mother (Jackie Johnson) assures her daughter (Grace Ivey) that trouble is just a wrapping that, once removed, will reveal a wonderful present. An elder, Ooloranna (Henry Woodall), proposes that the villagers haul their umiak over the steep cliffs of the island to reach the calmer water on the other side. With everyone's help they succeed to the strains of a gospel-like tune.
The most charming and compelling elements are found in this first half of the show. They include "The Song of the Oomiak" (sic) in which sixth-grader Tiana Lee sings -- and dances -- about how she was once a walrus and is now a boat happily helping people, and Father Carroll's ballad, "It's Love," which may be the best music in the score.
The show could end here at intermission. But then we'd miss the church service, where the essence of Christmas is explained as a "Miracle of Light." We'd miss the feast of "Agoodik, Muktuk, Salmon and Seal," the stories in which the Inupiaq dancing is featured, a bit about the northern lights and the happy final chorus.
The moral about people who "stick together" to overcome obstacles may sound as cheerful and vividly colored as a Hallmark card and with almost as much gravitas. But after experiencing a certain lifting of my own Grinchy heart during the live presentation, I begin to see why so many reviews from elsewhere have been so positive.
Find Mike Dunham online at adn.com/contact/mdunham or call 257-4332.
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