In 2004, George Jarden secured permission from Jimmy Webb Music Co. to produce a staged version of Webb’s cantata, The Animals’ Christmas.
4/Arts Productions was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, to foster the Arts in Southern New Mexico and beyond – for “students of all ages.”
2004
Performances: December 10, 11, 16, 17, & 18 – 8:00 p.m.
December 12 & 19 – 3:00 p.m.
Herschel Zohn Theatre
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces NM
The Production was funded by Ticket Sales and by Business and Private Sponsors.
Director – Tom Smith, New Mexico State University Department of Theatre Arts (now Department Head and Professor)
Music Director/Conductor – George Jarden
Set Design – Jim Billings, Resident Scenic and Lighting Designer, NMSU Theatre Arts
Special Properties and Sound – David Hereford, Technical Director, NMSU Theatre Arts
Costumes – Deborah Brunson, Resident Costume Designer, NMSU Theatre Arts
Choreography – Michelle Self, Kevin Self, Michelle’s Dance Academy – Las Cruces Chamber Ballet
Stage Manager – Brenda Walker, NMSU Theatre Arts Graduate
Assistant Stage Manager – Melissa Neville, NMSU Theatre Arts Graduate
Cast – Thirty-nine Children and Adults, amateur performers; Las Cruceans
Orchestra – 26 piece, Members of the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra
4/Arts Productions again produced The Animals’ Christmas in 2005.
2005
December 15, 16, 17 – 7:00 p.m.
December 17 & 18 – 2:00 p.m.
The Rio Grande Theatre
Downtown Mall
Las Cruces NM
The Production was funded by Ticket Sales and by Business and Private Sponsors
Director – Cesar Camarena, Music Performance, NMSU
Choreography, Assistant Director – Indrani Rauth
Music Director, Conductor – Philip Christianson, Artistic Director, Dona Ana Lyric Opera, NMSU
Orchestra Coordinator – Chis Sanders
Set Design – Jim Billings, holdover items from 2004, Bob Diven, Coordinator 2005
Costumes – Deborah Christianson, NMSU Fashion and Costume Design
Stage Manager – Andrew Stephens
Assistant Stage Manager – Matthew Harsh
Production Manager – Tiffany Bristol
Chorus – Twenty-Four Children and Adults, amateur performers, Las Cruceans
Dancers – Shannon Ellison, Kristy Podruchny, Mayna Rauth, Cheryl Parham, Andrew Parrish
For the show's history and the making-of - see the pages on this site, especially "I"/George's Insights and Creative Team