Local produces original theater and a familiar musical

Nov. 13, 2019 | Sarah Heinonen
sarah@thereminder.com

WILBRAHAM – Colin Tracy has been directing and producing theater in the area for a few years as the creative director at Evangel Assembly of God in Wilbraham, a church that produces three shows each year. Tracy’s newest project, however, has darker subject matter than most of his previous shows.

In “Illuminate,” Tracy tackles human trafficking.

“It’s the most intense, dramatic show that I’ve ever put on,” Tracy said of the show he wrote and is directing. “Illuminate” explores the nature of a human trafficker and his victim.

The show is being produced through the Firefly Creative, a performance and theater company Tracy began several months ago. He said that production went better than he imagined.

“Everything went really well with auditions. The people were really such great fits for the roles,” Tracy said. This is the second show produced by the Firefly Creative, which Tracy said has been growing.

“When it comes to theater, everything is always evolving and changing. We have been developing a strong core, which has been cool to see and experience,” Tracy said. Firefly Creative is also learning “what makes them different,” he said, and they are building their audience.

Tracy said that due to the subject matter, “Illuminate” is appropriate for audience members ages 16 and up. At the same time, he acknowledged that his show could help spread awareness to younger teens.

Awareness is one of Tracy’s main goals with this show. There will be a drive at the Saturday shows for Route One Ministry, a Christian organization that ministers to women in the sex industry. Tracy said if people bring a small gift, such as a $5 gift card, it goes to the organization and the customer gets a complimentary ticket.

Each of the shows will also feature a fundraiser for the organization Amirah, which provides survivors of sex trafficking with residential, outreach and education services. Tracy said Amirah is currently raising funds to build a house in Hartford for trafficking survivors.

“Illuminate” will be at Evangel Assembly of God, 348 Stony Hill Rd., on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m., Nov. 16 at 2 and 7 p.m. and Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at the door and are $10, $5 for seniors age of 65 and up.

“Into the Wardrobe”

Tracy is also putting on a production of “Into the Wardrobe” through the church. “Into the Wardrobe” is a musical adaptation C.S. Lewis’s classic book, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”

That show will run for two weekends. The first will be Dec. 7 and Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively. Showtimes for the second weekend are Dec. 13 at 7 p.m., Dec. 14 at 2 and 7 p.m. and Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. There is free admission.

While “Into the Wardrobe” was put on at Evangel Assembly of God last year, Tracy said the script has been reworked a bit. He cut about 30 minutes of dialogue and added four songs to change things up and make the show flow better.

Tracy states he doesn’t know whether he prefers musicals or standard plays and said each offers unique opportunities. He does, however, prefer producing original work.

“There’s something about putting on something fresh that you can tweak to your cast’s strengths. It’s a more authentic experience,” Tracy said. “Shows that people know, you kind of have an idea of what to expect. When you have a show that’s original, you don’t really know where it’s going to lead, but it’s also fun and exciting.”

Share this: