Ohio Northern University’s Freed Center for the Performing Arts presents the 20th annual ONU Holiday Spectacular from Thursday, Nov. 20, to Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7:30 p.m. There will be a matinee performance on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m.

In addition, there will be performances at the Civic and Convention Center in Lima, on Friday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m.

The show is underwritten in part by the DeBow and Catherine Freed Endowment for the Arts and Kewpee Hamburger.

Start off the holiday season with festive carols, lavish sets, ballerinas, the ever-popular toy soldiers, the man in red himself, Santa Claus, and a few surprises as this year’s Holiday Spectacular centers on the misadventures of Trixel, a trouble-making elf who steals Santa’s magic compass prior to Christmas Eve. This sends Mrs. Claus and Pixel the elf on a journey to find the invaluable tool so that Santa can deliver his gifts.

This year, the cast consists of more than 40 students and 16 area children. Santa Claus is played by Jaired Birks, a senior education major from Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Claus will be played by Sarah Kuene, a junior musical theatre major from Perrysburg, Ohio.

Pixel will be played by Meredith Bergwell, a freshman musical theatre major from Fairview, Texas, and Trixel will be played by Kayla Burress, a senior musical theatre major from Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Angel will be played Jennifer Barnaba, a senior musical theatre major from Bellbrook, Ohio. Frosty is Tim Swaim, a junior musical theatre major from Oregon, Ohio.

The performance is under the direction of Kirsten Osbun-Manley, resident artist in music and co-director of the musical theatre program at ONU. Gina Wiley, artistic director and owner of The Dancer By Gina in Delphos, Ohio, will serve as choreographer, and Michael Jordan will serve as ONU’s musical director.

All tickets for the Lima performances are for general-admission seating and are available for $5 at all Kewpee locations and at the Freed Center.

Tickets for the Freed Center performances are $15 for general admission, $12 for $5 for children 12 and under, and $5 for ONU faculty, staff and students. The Freed Center box office is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Phone orders are accepted with American Express, MasterCard, VISA or Discover by calling 419-772-1900. Tickets also are available online at www.freedcenter.com.

The 20th annual Holiday Spectacular stage show takes to the stage at Ohio Northern University. This year's cast is pictured along with Harry and Myrna Shutt of Kewpee Hamburgers. The Shutts (centered - Harry in red jacket and Myrna in green jacket) fund nearly every aspect of the show including moving it from Ada to Lima.