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CAST MEMBERS – Cast members and their roles in the 2022 production of “Wooden Heart Follies,” which will premiere at the Steubenville Masonic Temple at 227 N. Fourth St., Steubenville, on December 1-2 at 6:30 p.m. and December 3 and 4 at 4 p.m. are, front row, left to right, Douglas Davidson (host); Tamara Lehew (The Baker); and Hope Sirilla (Clara); middle row, Von Holmes, (director and Nutcracker grandmother); Mary Engle (The Gondolier); Madeleine Doyle (Adelaide the teacher); and John Holmes (Patrolman Holiday); and at the back, Susanne Manocchia (musical director); Rich Ivaun (the mad scientist); and Roberta Fedoush (accompanist). Rob DeSantis is St. Nicholas. — Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — “See the nutcrackers come to life!

“Listen to Tchaikovsky’s familiar holiday music!”

“Laughing at wacky modern lyrics!

“Welcome the Christmas season with musical family fun!”

The promotional leaflets announce the return of “Follies of the wooden heart”, the original Steubenville Nutcracker musical, as will John and Von Holmes of Steubenville, directors and actors in the production which will be presented to the public at the Steubenville Masonic Temple at 227 N. Fourth St., Steubenville.

The dates are December 1 and 2 at 6:30 p.m. and December 3 and 4 at 4 p.m.

The December 1 show is free to the local community, with all other shows requiring an admission fee of $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets for the December 1 production must be reserved for the number of audience.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite.com under “Follies of the wooden heart.” For more information, see the Facebook page, visit the woodenheart.follies.com website, or email [email protected].

“After a five-year hiatus, ‘Wooden Heart Follies’ returns to Steubenville,” Von commented, noting that she and her husband are thrilled to bring their family Christmas musical, featuring the Steubenville Nutcrackers, back to the area. The piece appears again in connection with the Steubenville Nutcracker Village as it did in 2016 and 2017.

The production brings to life nine nutcrackers that show the hilarious mayhem resulting from one of them falling in love with a human. The music is by Tchaikovsky “Nutcracker Suite” with comic lyrics.

Neither Von nor John are new to acting.

Both studied acting, Von at Columbus College, Georgia and the Franciscan University of Steubenville, and John at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY.

Von was seen on the local scene in the 1970s with the Steubenville Players and in the 1990s with Stages of Steubenville and Franciscan University.

John has performed with Stages of Steubenville and at Franciscan University and has performed in several shows over the years, most recently on EWTN’s “Saints against scoundrels.”

The couple appeared in the 2016 and 2017 production of “Follies of the Wooden Heart” and will once again serve as directors and cast members.

“This year there are plans to make a professional video to post online to promote the revitalization of Steubenville,” Von explained, pointing out that “This show is presented solely through sponsorships and donations. No playwright or cast member will receive monetary compensation. Please consider helping to bring this to the area.

Sponsors and donors may contribute through a Steubenville nonprofit, the Steubenville Cultural Trust, a 501(c)3 (TIN 87-1108448), using a credit or debit card, or PayPal online via PayPal (select “Follies of the Wooden Heart” in the drop-down menu and add “Follies of the Wooden Heart” in the memo box) https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=J2FY8M5DAJHTC or by sending a check payable to Steubenville Cultural Trust with “Follies of the Wooden Heart” in the memo line, at PO Box 972, Steubenville, OH 43952.