GIRARDVILLE — The children who attended the Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey show on Sunday had a great time enjoying the story.
The afternoon show was held in the main meeting room in the Girardville municipal building and featured marionettes created by artist Rosalie Rowan-Kuzma, Girardville. This is the second year the free program was held by Rowan-Kuzma. The program was sponsored by the Borough of Girardville.
The main character in the old-fashioned presentation was Dominick Sr., an Italian donkey who became a father since last year’s show and now has a son, Dominick Jr.
The turnout of children and adults for this year’s program was much less than in 2015. Rowan-Kuzma said those who did attend were entertained and had a great time.
“I think they enjoyed it,” said Rowan-Kuzma, who was dressed as Mrs. Claus and was the main puppeteer. Helping her as an elf was Julie Rutko.
Rowan-Kuzma was disappointed with the turnout.
“It is disappointing after working on it for three months,” Rowan-Kuzma said. Last year’s program drew about 30 children, while this year there were fewer than 10.
Rowan-Kuzma held her first show in 2015 in the borough council’s meeting room, which she dressed up with her own Christmas decorations. She did the same this year to give the room a holiday mood.
The program was based on the popular Christmas song released in 1960 by singer Lou Monte. The song continues to be popular and is played on radio stations and on the internet.
There are four main characters, including the introduction of Dominick’s son, Dominick Jr. Rowan-Kuzma wanted to do something new this year to make it a bit different from the first show.
In addition to the father-and-son donkey team, there are two other characters: Dominick’s loving and kindly owners, Giovanni and Sophia, a husband-and-wife team. Rowan-Kuzma said Giovanni and Sophia are resurrections of Hansel and Gretel from a different presentation in 2013.
The story is about Dominick being asked by Santa to help bring presents over Italy’s hills because the reindeer can’t climb them.
Rowan-Kuzma used papier-mache, glue, paint and other craft materials to make the marionettes and the background scenery, along with making the Mrs. Santa outfit for herself and the elf costume for Rutko.
The children were provided with a coloring book and crayons, a coloring sheet with the lyrics to the song, drinks, snacks, cookies, candy and hot dogs. The children sat on the floor or in chairs to watch and participate in the show, including working the marionettes.
The children had a surprise when Santa Claus arrived at the end of the show to meet with them.
Rowan-Kuzma thanked those who donated to the program, including the Girardville Area Senior Citizens and Boyer’s Food Markets for hot dogs and snacks, cookies from Ann and Michael Soucheck and Missy O, beverages and a monetary donation from the Girardville Crime Watch, coloring books and crayons from an anonymous donor, and monetary donations from Wade Richards, Barbara Wilkinson and Sharon Smith.