Arts & Entertainment

Waukesha Family Takes Center Stage in 'A Christmas Carol'

The Flanagans are performing with the Falls Patio Players this weekend.

The Flanagan family knows a thing or two about being busy this holiday season.

Between school, work, music lessons, dancing, acting, sports, walking in the Christmas parade and spending time with family, they are used to juggling a full plate.

But when the curtain opens Friday night in Menomonee Falls for the Falls Patio Players' production of A Christmas Carol, they will all be together. Four of the five-member Waukesha family will be on stage for the production that’s being held this weekend.

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“You will be amazed. … When we first went to the Falls, we couldn’t believe the talent that is out there,” said Katie Flanagan. “They have worked, been so flexible with us with the girls’ and Tom’s schedule.”

A Christmas Carol follows Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a rich, miserable man who thinks of himself and his money. When he’s paid a visit by Jacob Marley and three Christmas ghosts, he’s forced to see who he is, where he came from and his future if he continues with his selfish attitudes.

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Molly, 12, and Maggie, 9, were in The Christmas Carol in 2011, but this year it’s a family affair. Big sister Maura, 15, a sophomore at Waukesha North High School, is in the children’s and adult ensemble and their father, Tom, is playing the Ghost of Christmas Present. Molly will be on stage as Tiny Tim and Molly is in the ensemble. Their mother, Katie, will be in the audience.

 “I think that it is really cool that we can all do something together,” said Molly, who is on the dance team, student council and newspaper at Butler Middle School.

“It is cool how every single one of us is on stage at once,” Maggie said.

They’ve all had acting experience, but they are excited to perform in Menomonee Falls. It might be a long drive to get to the village, but for them, it’s worth it.

“The people are really nice,” Maura said. “In some plays, there are people who think they are better than other people, like snobby, but in this production everyone is nice and everyone gets a long and everyone is excited to be there."

“Even if you have a small part, you are still part of the cast,” said Maggie, a giggly fourth grader at Summit View Elementary School. “You don’t stay away from the main characters.”
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Catch the Show

  • Where: North Middle School, Menomonee Falls
  • When: 7 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday
  • Price: $10 adults/seniors, $8 students


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