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A Look Back at A Christmas Story:

The Musical at The Naples Players

s Southwest Florida celebrated the 2024 holiday season,
A Christmas Story: The Musical at The Naples Players (TNP) offered
A more than a heartwarming tale—it served as a testament to the
power of community and connection. Behind the scenes and onstage, this
production was as much about the relationships it fostered as the story it
told, making it a perfect centerpiece for the season.
One shining example of the community spirit at TNP was the Mance
family. Jennifer, Brett, and Madison Mance relocated to Naples from Canada
three years prior, seeking a fresh start after the loss of Jennifer’s parents. Brett
discovered TNP while exploring downtown Naples and immediately knew it
could be a home for his wife and daughter. “I found you a theatre home,” he
told Jennifer, sending her a video of the vibrant community he’d found.
Since then, the Mances have become an integral part of TNP. Madison
first found her TNP footing in summer camps and youth productions
like Seussical Jr. and Newsies Jr., forming friendships that helped ease the
transition to her new life in Florida. During the run of A Christmas Story:
The Musical, Madison also starred as Elle Woods in the TNP Academy
production of Legally Blonde, Jr., balancing roles in two productions with
poise and talent. Jennifer, an accomplished performer and teacher, graced the
stage in shows like By the Way, Meet Vera Stark; The Dining Room; and
Clue: On Stage. The holiday season marked a milestone for the family as
Jennifer and Madison performed together for the first time in A Christmas
Story: The Musical.
“It has been wonderful to do everything together on this show,” Jennifer
shared during the production. “Even things like this shared costume fitting
were so much more fun together.” Brett, meanwhile, worked at the TNP bar
during performances, completing the family’s full-circle involvement in the
production.
The Mances were just one example of how TNP fostered connections.
Eleven-year-old Matias Piscoya starred as Ralphie in A Christmas Story
alongside his sister, Alessa Vazquez. Longtime TNP volunteer Brad Brenner

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