August 20, 2024
By Nathan Quin

Pickerington Community Theatre (PCT) has, so far, taken 2024 by storm with back-to-back grand slam productions. Audiences adored the kids of Junie B. Jones and raved about the racy romp Young Frankenstein but the troupe now turns their attention to the back half of their season.

First up is a fresh new take on William Shakespeare’s beloved romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing. The story follows two different romantic entanglements as their friends and family members try to influence the budding – and occasionally reluctant – romances.

Much Ado About Nothing will take the stage of the Wigwam Event Center for two weekends starting October 4.

Then, PCT will shoot for the stars with an all-new, never-before-seen stage adaption of the classic sci-fi b-movie Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.

Filled with humor, camp, and no shortage of deliciously cheesy dialogue, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians is a much-loved 1964 holiday film known affectionately by fans as one of the worst movies ever made.

When the leaders of Mars can’t figure out why their children are so sullen, they decide to cheer the young ones up with their first ever Christmas. You can’t have Christmas without Santa Claus, of course, but the only Santa available already belongs to the children of Earth. The obvious solution: abduct the Jolly Ole Elf for themselves!

“It’s one of the goofiest movies ever made and I love every second of it,” explained the play’s director Bram Fulk of why he was so excited to take on such an unusual adaptation.

“If you love – like I do – campy, low-budget sci-fi movies with face-paint aliens, rubber masked monsters, wobbly set pieces, clunky robots, and just the whole mid-century modern / Atomic Age aesthetic, you will love this play.”

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians will debut at The Wigwam the first two weekends of December.

For more on both of these productions including showtimes and ticket information, just visit the group’s website: PCTShows.com