Christmas Together

In times when even the  brightest star dims and the world seems to turn cold, there is always hope for a brighter day.
As a kick-off to the holiday season, the On Broadway Dancers are taking the stage to share an inspiring story about love, loss and finding your way back to those who will always be there for you.
“Christmas Together,” an original holiday tale will be presented this weekend in the Coal City Performing Arts Center, it’s the dance company’s seventh annual holiday show.
Inspired by music from “The Greatest Showman,” and the classic Dicken’s tale, “A Christmas Carol,” the show tells the story of William North, a bitter man who can see no good in the world.
As a child, North had a million dreams of what the world could be, but the loss of his mother turns him into a resentful human with no respect for others, even his own family.
It isn’t until he’s visited by spirits who remind him of what his life was and where it’s headed in his bah humbug mood that he begins to change and see that even in the darkest hour, no one is truly alone in the world.    
Through music, dance and acting, the dance company and a cast of characters will present the show scripted by Madison Schlegal and choreographed by Joey Claeyssen and Kim Scerine, owner and artistic director at Broadway Dance Center.
Scerine reports the holiday event is one of her dance company’s favorite events of the year.
“It provides an opportunity to come out and enjoy an evening of family entertainment and kick off the holiday season,” Scerine said.
A free will offering will be taken at the end of each performance and the dollars collected will go to help local families in need. Funds collected at the show, along with donations from Broadway Dance Center families provide area children with new clothing and toys and puts a holiday meal on the table for multiple families.
To date, the show has generated over $28,000 to assist local families in need.
“Our goal is not only to teach the art of dance, but to  instruct our dancers to be good citizens to give back to their community and to always appreciate life’s many blessings,” Scerine said.
The curtain goes up a 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 24 and 2 p.m. Nov. 25 in the Coal City Performing Arts Center at Coal City High School. Reserved seat tickets $10 per person and available online by visiting onbroadwaydancers.com. Remaining seats will be sold at the door beginning one hour prior to each performance.