Christmas is a time when many people focus on the needs of others, when goodwill takes centerstage.

While many local groups are taking steps to assure that families in need have an abundant holiday meal, gifts under the tree and warm shelter, two organizations have teamed up to present a special lesson to the community.
These nonprofit groups, the Young Players of the Royal Players and Youth United of Habitat of Humanity of Saline County, are blending their time and talents in a theatrical venue designed to raise community awareness.
The two are presenting the play “Christmas Hang-Ups” Friday night and twice Saturday at the Royal Theatre, 111 S. Market St. in Benton.
Charlotte Hammonds, who along with Daphne Shoppach serves as co-director of Young Players, said this is more than an entertainment project, though that’s one of the benefits the audience will derive.
“This production is about embracing diversity and accepting people that are different and realizing that everyone is important in the world,” Hammonds said.
The play focuses on how an “un-Christmasy ornament,” a hula girl, helps remind people of the reason for the season, Hammonds noted.
“Hula Girl, the main character, initially isn’t accepted because she’s not ‘Christmasy,’” Hammmonds noted. “The others tell her she doesn’t belong there, that she should leave. Then Joseph enters the picture and tells the story of Christ and explains how everyone is important in God’s eyes.
“Ultimately, the others give Hula Girl acceptance and welcome her into the group,” she said.
The production is directed by Melissa Earnest and features young actors from the Saline County area.
Earnest said she believes the children involved in the production, even the youngest ones, are “understanding the message in the play and are enjoying sharing it.”
“The meaning of Christmas is to not judge each other,” she said, “and this is what this play is about.
“The children have all worked really hard, and I’m very proud of all of them. I appreciate them all very much. They have all really pulled it out.”
Karma Herzfeld, executive director of Habitat for Humanity for Saline County, said Habitat “enjoys working with the Young Players because we have our own youth group, and this is a good opportunity for our youth to get involved in other community projects.
“We support the work the Young Players are doing, and they support the work that our youth are doing,” she said.
“One of the things that I like about this production is there’s a good moral to the story,” Herzfeld said.
Noting that the groups have partnered once previously, she pointed out that “both productions done in partnership have conveyed a good, Christian-based message, which is nice at any time,” particularly during this season.
“Both of these have been faith-based productions, and we’re really excited this year to also be doing the pictures with Santa before the event,” she said.
Dr. Frank Thibault will be assisting with this effort, Herzfeld said.
Before the play, Santa will be in the theater lobby to pose for photos with children. Pictures will cost $10 and include one child’s ticket to the play plus a seasonal picture frame.
Santa also will be setting up shop inside the old Gingles department store building, located across the street from the theater, at 145 W. South St., from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Friday and twice again on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4 to 6:30 p.m.
“We’re just really excited about this,” Herzfeld said. “We hope the parents will bring out their kids to see Santa and to support these two youth groups.”
Hammonds noted that Young Players continually supports the artistic endeavors of local youth.
She pointed out that the organization provides free acting classes, voice and music lessons and “tries to develop kids into good members of the arts community and to develop an overall sense of community in different areas.”
The group is comprised of “kids from all schools in Saline County. It brings the groups together.”
Show times for “Christmas Hang-Ups” are 7 p.m. Friday and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday.
Ticket prices are $8 for general admission and $5 for students. Corporate sponsor for the production is Bank of the Ozarks.
To find out more about Habitat’s Youth United, visit www.habitatsalinecountyar.org or call the Habitat office at 315-5434.
Young Players was created to teach young actors all aspects of the theatre as well as teaching leadership, community involvement and teamwork. Students attend workshops on acting and playwriting and present several productions each year. The group’s fundraising efforts have provided scholarships through the Kelly James Scholarship Fund.
The group is open to youngsters 5 to 18. To learn more about the Royal Players’ Young Players, visit theroyalplayers.com or call the Royal Theatre at 501-315-LIVE for reservations.
For additional information, e-mail the Young Players at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
The cast of “Christmas Hang-ups” includes Reagan Hammonds as Hula Girl; Lauren Norton as Angela (Jordan Hancock, understudy); Meg Amason as Beth (Delaney Leslie, understudy); Logan Tomczak as Frosty (Elizabeth Ray, understudy); Mariah Polston as Tex (Jessi Amason, understudy); Dullin Freshour as Joseph  (Jacan Earnest, understudy); ViviAnne Flora as Mary (Angel Thomas, understudy); and Malinda Wells as Child.
Others in the cast are Makayla Holiman as Slugger; Angel Thomas as Lady Liberty; Ashley Freshour as Minnie M.; and JuliAnne Flora, Isabella Hammonds, Rayne Burns, Tierney Earnest, Kade Douglas, who portray fairies and “Li’l Hula choir.
Also comprising the choir are: Heidi Sohl, Jacan Earnest, Jessica Alvarado, Callie Frehour, Avery Rockwell, Emory Rockwell, Haley Holliman, Kellan Douglas, Malinda Wells, Makayla Holliman, Angel Thomas, ViviAnne Flora, Delaney Leslie, Ashley Freshour, Allison Blaylock, Elizabeth Ray and Jordan Hancock.
The technical crew includes David Flora, Dakota Leslie and Brianna Douglas.