‘Midwinter’s Tales’ raised funds for Walk-In Ministry
January 9, 2012 9:32AM
Cristy Harris, executive director of the Walk in Ministry, gets involved in "Midwinter's Tales" at Unity Temple.
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Updated: February 13, 2012 8:03AM
A widely diverse, all-volunteer cast of actors, singers and musicians performed “Midwinter’s Tales” in December at Unity Temple to raise funds for two good causes: the Oak Park and River Forest Walk-In Ministry, which is housed at First United Church, and Oak Park Festival Theatre.
Festival Theatre’s co-president Belinda Bremner created and directed “Midwinter’s Tales,” an eclectic mix of music and stories which ranged from Silent Night” in the original German, then in French, then in Spanish, then in English and Yiddish folk songs, to a lovely remembrance of Christmas at Hull House with Jane Addams, Mike Royko’s first encounter with a department store Santa, “Blessed Are the Poor Folks,” by W. E. B. DuBois, and scenes from “The Wind in the Willows” which included a flurry of young, adorable Field Mice.
This was the fifth annual benefit organized by Festival Theatre for the Oak Park and River Forest Walk-In Ministry. “It was by far the best ever,” said Belinda Bremner. “We enjoyed wide community participation. Performers included not only Actors’ Equity Association members beloved by Festival Theatre audiences, but also musicians young and old, including the Mameloshn folk singers from Oak Park Temple. Everyone carved out chunks of their frenetic pre-holiday schedules to work alone or together to make this extraordinary evening’s community celebration of our collective wishes for peace, joy, and hope come true.”
“ ‘Midwinter’s Tales’ was a lovely, entertaining, enlightening evening benefiting a fantastic organization,” said the Rev. Julie Harley of First United Church. “The talent and heart of this community never ceases to amaze me.”
“We cannot fully express our gratitude for the outpouring of kindness shown by the individuals who volunteered at this event. WIM clients will benefit greatly from this kindness,” said Cristy Harris of the Walk-In MInistry. “We especially want to thank Unity Temple for providing the lovely venue and staff to support this event.”
The Walk-In Ministry is a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization which helps people in need gain access to services relating to food, housing, transportation, employment and other resources necessary to restore independent living and self-sufficiency. Find more information at www.walk-in-ministryoprf.org.
Oak Park Festival Theatre has been producing classic theater in Oak Park since 1975. More information is available at www.OakParkFestival.com.
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