Encore dancers pose in reindeer costumes for their upcoming show, “Time for Christmas.”
Since Santa delivers all the Christmas presents in one night, Oswald – a harebrained scientist/part-time elf – wants to control time like he does. But when he accidentally throws the world into a time loop, two high-tech elves try to prove their value by fixing it. With the same day repeating over and over, will Christmas ever come?
That’s the premise of “Time for Christmas,” the Broadway-style holiday musical by Chantilly-based Encore Theatrical Arts Project. A dazzling holiday adventure for all ages, it features creative choreography, elaborate sets, stunning costumes and more than 20 musical numbers. It’ll be performed at the Richard Ernst Theater at NOVA’s Annandale campus, 8333 Little River Turnpike.
The curtain rises Saturday, Dec. 7, at noon, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 8, at noon and 4 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 14, at noon, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 15, at noon and 4 p.m. For tickets and Girl Scout program details, go to www.encore-tap.org.
Rehearsing since July, the cast of 35 includes professional actors Logan Dolence and Matty Rafanelli, plus a slew of outstanding dancers. And Encore founder Raynor van der Merwe is proud of them all, as well as of Encore alum Paige Williams, who wrote the show’s original script.
“They’re all so hardworking and talented,” said van der Merwe. “This show is the year’s highlight for all of us, and the audience will be transported to the holidays by the storyline, sets and costumes.
“The scenes take place at Santa’s workshop and at Santa Land at a New York City mall where Oswald works. Our professionals have gorgeous singing voices, and the story and dialogue are quick, tight and funny. And I’m so excited to have Paige writing and directing it.”
After graduating from Centreville High in 2005, Williams was a New York City Rockette, performed at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, danced with the national tours of “Cinderella” and “Mary Poppins” and danced on Broadway in “Holiday Inn” and Aladdin.” She returned home after the pandemic and, since 2022, has been an Encore dance teacher.
“I love it,” she said. “It’s fun watching kids discover how to dance, realize they can do things that were hard for them, and master those skills. I helped with last year’s script and enjoyed it, so I offered to write this year’s. The message is the importance of friends and the people who love you for exactly who you are – and to be confident in that.”
And as the director, said Williams, “I’ve been so impressed by how playful the cast can be. Actors find what works by exploring their characters, and they’re all unafraid to take chances while creating their characters’ personalities.”
Dancing since age 5, Chantilly High senior Jillian Felder plays Juniper, a tech-maintenance elf who fixes the gadgets and electronics in Santa’s workshop. “She also creates inventions to make toy production go faster,” said Felder. “She’s happy and upbeat, cares about her friend Ivy and is excited to try new things.”
Since she and Juniper have similar personalities and lots of energy, Felder enjoys her role and feeling connected to her character. “And I love her friendship with Ivy – they compliment each other really well,” she said. “And since I’m friends in real life with the person playing Ivy, it’s nice getting to be best friends in the show, too.”
Felder’s favorite song is “Mailroom” since “all the props we use in the dance make it really fun and exciting. There’s so much going on in this number, passing boxes and organizing letters, and the choreography is enjoyable to watch.” As for the audience, she said, “Everyone’s going to love this original story, our guest actors, all the dances and the wonderful choreography.”
Portraying Ivy is Fairfax High senior Mimi Platenberg (whose Uncle Jeff is Fairfax City Schools Superintendent). “She’s also a high-tech elf and is smart and caring,” said Platenberg. “She loves all the elves, especially her friends, and enjoys spreading cheer and spending time creating new gadgets with Juniper.”
“Ivy is like my own personality in elf form,” she continued. “And it’s so cool getting to act out the fun and quirkiness of elves and do it with my best friends.” She’s danced with Encore since age 5, and her favorite number is “Soldiers” because “it’s a cute routine with dancers dressed as toy soldiers and fits humorously into the storyline.”
“The actors we have this year are really funny and will appeal to everyone in the audience,” added Platenberg. “The script writing is fantastic and even makes me laugh.”
Chantilly High seniors Sam Wolff and Aniqa Ahmed play electrical elves, A.C. and D.C., respectively. “They’re co-heads of the electrical team; so when the power goes out at the North Pole, we have to fix it,” said Ahmed. “D.C. is optimistic, but also logical because he says all experiments must stop until they find out what’s wrong. It’s great playing him, and we get to do a funny dance called ‘Power Up Tap.’”
Ahmed said the audience will like this show because “the plot is really creative. And it’s cool to see two elves who are science-based and interested in technology – which is different from our usual Christmas shows.”
As A.C., Wolff describes his character as jolly, but also concerned. “He’s got to fix the catastrophe created by Ivy and Juniper,” explained Wolff. “After they caused the power outage, the elves couldn’t work. I have a good time playing A.C., and Aniqa and I do a crazy dance with some other electrical elves. It’s performed to a somber, searching-type song with no words, but has some really advanced tap steps.”
He, too, said audiences will love “Time for Christmas” because “there’s a bunch of silly jokes and great costumes, and we turn into Santas, soldiers, reindeer, rag dolls and other characters – which is highly entertaining. And the dances are performed at a professional level.”
Jenna Abi Joumah, also a Chantilly senior, is a singer and dancer in the ensemble. “I sing a solo in our opening song, ‘Christmas Town,’ and in another number called ‘A Christmas Song,’” she said. “And I’m in lots of the dances. My favorite is ‘Elf Search.’ We wear fedoras and do a jazz dance down low while snapping our fingers.
“I love being part of this show. We bond with each other, make so many memories backstage and look forward to dancing together. I also like how happy and inspired it makes the younger kids in the audience.”
Another Chantilly senior, Leila Zarnegar, performs in the ensemble, too. Dancing with Encore since age 7, she likes “expressing myself through exercise and showing my emotions through dance.
“I especially like the ‘Reindeer’ number because we get to wear cute reindeer costumes and heels. It’s challenging because of all the technical elements like leaps and turns, but it’s lots of fun.” Regarding the audience, she said, “It’s magical to see how many people show up and how it makes them feel ready for the holidays.”
Haley Buenaventura plays Quill, an elf who finds a special electronic device that Juniper and Ivy need. “She’s eager and always up for a search, and I get to do the ‘Elf Search’ dance,” said Buenaventura. “Dancing feels good, especially jazz and contemporary numbers.”
“Our storyline will hook the audience, and they’ll love the fun dances,” she continued. “This show is unique – I don’t think there’s anything else like it in Northern Virginia.”