Celebrating a Year of Stories and Community: Season’s Greetings from Providence Players
A Message from Kevin Harnisch Board of Directors President
Dear Friends of Providence Players,
As the curtain falls on another incredible year, I find myself reflecting on the shared magic that defines both the holiday season and the theater: the joy of gathering together, the warmth of connection, and the power of a great story. At Providence Players of Fairfax, we are privileged to witness that magic not just in December, but during every rehearsal and performance throughout the year. Whether you joined us for a laugh, a tear, or a moment of wonder this past season, your presence has been the greatest gift we could ask for.
Our award-winning productions are only possible because of the incredible community that surrounds us. To our dedicated members, tireless volunteers, talented artists, and loyal patrons—thank you. You are the heart and soul of this company. Every ticket purchased, every hour volunteered, and every round of applause fuels our mission to bring high-quality, affordable theater to the Fairfax area. We are immensely proud of what we have accomplished together in 2025 and are deeply grateful for your continued support of the local arts.
Looking ahead to the New Year, we are thrilled to continue our season with stories that we know will captivate and entertain you. As you celebrate this month, I encourage you to consider sharing the gift of theater with your loved ones through tickets to our upcoming shows or by making a year-end tax-deductible contribution to support our future productions. Your generosity ensures that we can keep the creativity flowing for seasons to come.
From our family to yours, we wish you a holiday season filled with peace, laughter, and dramatic amounts of joy. We look forward to seeing you at the theater in the New Year!
Warmly,
Kevin
Coming Attraction
A Sherlock Carol by Mark Shanahan
What happens when the world’s greatest detective steps into the world of Charles Dickens? A Sherlock Carol by Mark Shanahan brings Sherlock Holmes and Tiny Tim together in a clever, heartwarming holiday mystery that’s part whodunit, part Christmas tale, and entirely delightful for audiences of all ages.
Moriarty is dead, to begin with. And Sherlock Holmes is a haunted man. But, when a grown-up Tiny Tim asks Holmes to investigate the death of Ebenezer Scrooge, the Great Detective must use his gifts to solve a Dickens of a Christmas mystery!
Six actors take on the beloved characters of Arthur Conan Doyle and Charles Dickens in this heartwarming and highly theatrical holiday treat for all ages!
Performance Dates and Times:
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m. December 12 thru December 20
Saturday & Sunday Matinees 2:00 p.m. December 13, 14, 20 & 21
Publicity Photos from A Sherlock Carol
Photos by Chip Gertzog
In the Spotlight:
Bob Smith, teacher, actor and director
PPF is happy to welcome back Bob Smith. Although he has had roles on our stage as Antonio in Twelfth Night and the Sheriff in The Front Page, he has currently taken on the role for which he is best known in Fairfax – Director. Educated with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree of Fine Arts in Theater, Bob has worked for almost two decades as the Theater Director at Fairfax High School and has directed over fifty productions in high school, college, professional, and community settings.
He has impacted local theater by creating the Stage Combat program in Fairfax County’s Institute for the Arts and audiences won’t be surprised, once they see A Sherlock Carol, that Bob has also pioneered the use of computer-assisted design for theater in the Fairfax County Public Schools. Although currently retired he could not resist the opportunity to direct this delightful mash-up of two British classics. We are lucky that he has brought his talent back to our stage and we know that audiences will feel the same way.
Welcome Back Beth!
We are so happy to welcome back to the PPF the lovely Elizabeth Morales. She graced our stage in several productions – 20 years ago! She is shown here as the ingenue Bette Logan in Heaven Can Wait and now, as Irene Adler in A Sherlock Carol.
What a delight to have her back – and this time she has brought her daughter!
Photos by Chip Gertzog
Audition Notice
Auditions for the Providence Players of Fairfax production of Crimes of the Heart, the Pulitzer Prize winning play by Beth Henley, will be held at the James Lee Community Center (JLC) in Falls Church, VA.
The two auditions will be held on:
- Tuesday, December 16 from 6:30-8:30 pm in the James Lee Theater
- Thursday, December 18 from 6:30-8:30 pm in the Arts and Crafts room
Performance Dates and Times
Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m. March 13 – 28
Sunday Matinees 2:00 p.m. March 15 & 22
Community Outreach
PPF Board Members have been busy engaging in community outreach. We do this not only to support our community but also to support a multitude of artistic initiatives. Recent activities have included the following.
Mason District Art Festival
Kevin Harnisch, Tina Thronson and Roxanne Waite networked, checked out the exhibits and promoted the PPF season to attendees while listening to the musical entertainment. We even had our own tent at the Mason District Art Festival on October 11th in downtown Annandale.
Annual Awards Ceremony
This inspiring ceremony was an opportunity to honor excellence in art education, art community impact and in philanthropy for the arts. It was also a chance for PPF President Kevin Harnisch to represent the company to chat with Congressman James Walkinshaw about the company.
The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce
Last month Providence Players once again supported the Annual Nonprofit Forum hosted by The Falls Church Chamber of Commerce. This is an opportunity for businesses and the community at large to learn how our nonprofits contribute to Falls Church, and how to get involved on any level. Nonprofit members had tables set up with information for those interested in volunteering, becoming a donor, or partnering with them – as a business, family or individually.
Our nonprofits play a vital role in making Falls Church a wonderful community, and this was a great opportunity to connect and learn the many ways we can support them.
Member Update: In Memoriam
Former PPF member Rosemary Hartman has passed away after a long battle with cancer. She was a prolific director with a theater career that included over 40 plays for regional and community theaters in New England, Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia. Although she never directed for PPF she was a frequent audience member and participant in our play readings. Our condolences to her family and many friends and loved ones.
If you love this company, we need your help!
We love our auditioners, but this season it looks like we will also need help with box office, marketing, productions (backstage crew, lighting design, props and stage management), house management, and ushers.
We are happy to train you. Come Volunteer!
Let us know your interests:
Since our Member Interest Survey remains under re-construction, please email directly to info@providenceplayers.org to share a bit about your theater experience and how you would like to volunteer. We will review your comments, pass along your interest to Producers and Directors, and reach out to you when opportunities present themselves.
We look forward to working and playing with you!
Welcome and Thank You to New and Renewing Members:
Janet Kohler Dueweke, Barbara Gertzog, Sarah John, Deborah Davidson, Kathi Ranowsky, Elizabeth Keith, Nancy Joyner, Teresa Preston, Nicole Andres, Andra Whitt, Patrick David, Sarah Mournighan, Roxanne Waite, Bob Hannan, Susan Kaplan, Amanda Ranowsky, Mario Font, Nick Manicone, Ward Kay, Christian Faulkner, Jayne Victor, Sarah Baczewski, Tina Thronson, Robert Smith, John Burns, Daniel Lavanga, Kirk Lambert, Abigail Smith, Marjorie Clark, Mal Zerden, Mytheos Holt, Tom Gallagher, Jay Tilley, Anne Shively, Marissa Dolcich and Elizabeth Morales.
- If your membership has lapsed and you wish to renew, you can click here.
- Have an update you would like to share with your fellow members? Please send an email to info@providenceplayers.org with the subject line “Member Update” and we will include it.
- Are you in a show with another company? Join our Facebook Group and share the news!
- Click here to see a list of previous WEBLetters.
Thanks for reading the WEBLetter!
Editor: Tina Hodge Thronson