[ HAWAII AT WORK ]
RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Anna Viggiano has I believe in the spirit of Santa Claus. I have to: I've been playing the part of Mrs. Claus for over 20 years.
a secret identity
The co-owner of Puppets Unlimited is
often recognized as Mrs. ClausSometimes when I first meet a new acquaintance, they say that I look familiar. After asking about the obvious -- where did their children go to school, where do they live and did they attend the University of Hawaii in the drama department -- I ask if they have ever seen the Christmas show at Liberty House or Macy's. That's when it hits them: "You're Mrs. Claus."
This marks the 23rd Christmas play that I've written and presented at Liberty House, and now Macy's. Each play has included a message along with puppets, actors, music, dancing and songs, with Mrs. Claus being a leading character since the 1982 show.
Every February, my husband, Lindbergh Marzo, and I begin the seeds of the show. We brainstorm concepts for the story line and settle on one main outline with at least five song choices. I rewrite the words of the songs to fit the script and our keyboardist, Kit Ebersbach, arranges the music. After rehearsing the script and songs, our cast records the entire show at Pacific Music Productions.
In early November we begin nightly rehearsals with two casts of five performers each. It is much too grueling for any one to perform all 72 shows. My husband oversees the weekday crew and I perform with the weekend team.
The Christmas show has become more than just a business for my family. It is our way of sharing our love for puppets and Christmas with the community. There are so many families that begin the holiday season by seeing our show or having a family picture taken with Santa. We now have a second generation of audience members coming to see the shows. Some families have come every year and have the pictures to prove it.
While the Christmas season may begin with the day after Thanksgiving for most people, that is the completion of our Christmas pre- paration. Once the show opens on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the rest is easy. We have the privilege of entertaining families with our Christmas story, and spreading joy to young and old alike.
Hawaii At Work features tells what people do for a living in their own words. Send submissions to: business@starbulletin.com.
