Meet Jane Hallstrom, they are joining us for our next production of It’s the Most _____ Time of the Year: Oil on Canvas written by Erin McCarson and directed by Jessica Johnson.
In this production, it's Thanksgiving Eve, and Jean and Doug couldn't be more excited about the holiday season. The halls are decked, the trees are up, and the kids, Rosemary and Bing, will be arriving any minute. Son-in-law Mike and new grandbaby Suzie round out the family gathering, and loving tolerance and charity abounds. But Jean has arranged a surprise for them all that makes them question her sanity, and as Thanksgiving Day dawns, the family must decide: How far will they go to make Jean's ultimate Christmas wish come true?
We reached out to Jane to tell us a bit about themselves and about what their experience has been like working on this production!
1. What is your favorite or least favorite holiday season tradition and why?
I love bringing live greenery into the house. I love the evergreen promise of life and the wonderful smell. I don't like everyone opening their presents at the same time. I like watching each unwrapping. But as I write this, I'm thinking maybe I should try it the other way for once - just a huge present unwrapping free for all and get it all done in six minutes.
2. Do you relate to your character or to any character in the show? How similar / different are you?
As my family can tell you I'm big on conjuring visions and expecting everyone to fulfill them for me. It's Not an endearing trait and I'm trying to get over it, but I get such an empathetic kick out of Jean because I can totally understand where she is coming from. I can relate to wanting to freeze my family for all time into a version of happiness which I imagine.
3. What's your favorite line in the show? Why?
"I'm old, Rose, not stupid." for obvious reasons.
4. What are the top 5 songs on your holiday season playlist?
Mary Did You Know? Let It Snow. The Messiah. Merry Christmas From the Family by Robert Earl Keene. Oh Holy Night. Sleigh Ride. Carol of the Bells. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.
5. How would you spend your ideal Thanksgiving / Christmas / Hanukkah / Kwanza / other holiday season holiday?
In a huge Airbnb house with enough rooms for all of our children and spouses and grands and pets in a snowy place with lots of holiday decorations already put up. With a real wood fireplace and an electric train and a big kitchen and lots of groceries.
6. What is one memorable gift you've given or received and why has it stuck out as something special?
Santa brought me an electric train when I was 8 and he gave me some advice and instructions on a letter he left with it!
7. How did you get into theatre?
My mom and dad did community theater together early in their marriage and both did some performing before they met each other. It's in my blood. It was encouraged: I went to Mrs. Behrman's drama school when I was 6 to 9 years old! I made up plays with my friends in my neighborhood. We called ourselves The Kenway Players. We all lived on Kenway Street. My sisters and I put on shows all the time too. A musical of Robin Hood was one of our hits.
Biography
You may have seen Jane at the Magnetic as Linda in Death of a Salesman or as Pat in American Arcade. At the Utah Shakespeare Festival, she was Duchess of Gloucester in Richard II and played other Shakespeare roles here in Asheville with Montford Park Players and Mountain Arts Theatre. She has worked with Attic Salt Theater, Parkway Playhouse, HART, Immediate Theater Project, and American Myth Center. Mother of 5, mother-in-law to 4+1/2, and grandmother to 8, she wishes to thank Erin McCarson for the theater therapy. “I can’t imagine a script that could do me more good at this time of my life,” says Jane. As always and forever she thanks her loving husband Frank who supports her theater habit. And thanks also to Becca Banner for the awesome Asheville accommodations.
It’s the Most _____ Time of the Year: Oil on Canvas is showing December 3-18, 2021. Grab your tickets here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=129115