A unique collaboration between an arts organization and an independent school has resulted in an original and community-oriented Christmas musical.

“‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – 1776” opened Thursday night on the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, or WICA, stage. Performances continue through Dec. 18, with times and ticket prices available at wicaonline.org.

The plot of the new production is based on the Christmas-themed 1823 poem of the same name by Clement Clarke Moore, which famously begins, “‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house/Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”

Set against the backdrop of Dec. 25, 1776 – the day George Washington crossed the Delaware River – the musical follows the kind-hearted actions of one man who, legend has it, inspired Moore’s poem about Santa Claus as he is known today.

Elizabeth Itaya, owner of Wellington Day School on South Whidbey, wrote the script for this production and partnered with WICA to produce it. Her son, Joseph, came up with the original storyline and composed the music for the show 25 years ago as part of a school assignment. An accomplished pianist, he went on to direct a feature film and is currently head of the Digital Media Department at the University of Southern California.

Itaya spent time updating the script with assistance from WICA. A work of historical fiction, the musical focuses on a man who is believed to have existed in the town of New Hope, Pennsylvania, around the time of the first president’s crossing of the Delaware River. That man, who history never gave a name to, is thought to be the inspiration for Moore’s poem.

For the past several years, Itaya has been researching the origin of the poem and this Santa-like man.

“My husband and I, we went out and did as much primary sourcing as we could four years ago,” she said.

Although there are a dozen children onstage, the cast is not entirely from the Wellington Day School. Several other Whidbey Island community members are part of the production, including actors from Oak Harbor.

“In society at the moment there is a desire for Christmas things, and diversity is awesome,” Itaya said.

She has big plans for the original Christmas musical with its timeless message of love for others.

“We do intend to take this production on to the next level, whether it be stage or film,” she said.

Deana Duncan, WICA’s executive artistic director, said Itaya approached the arts organization a few years ago about the production, bringing her musical director Talia Marcus and her violin to play the music as she pitched the story. The musical was originally planned for 2021, but it was shuttered by COVID-19 restrictions.

“The show has a huge cast of all ages and many have never performed at WICA before,” Duncan said. “It’s a joy to watch them enjoy everything.”

While backstage at rehearsal one night, she observed kids that came “tearing” off the stage from a scene, laughing and giggling. Like that moment, the play has moments of joy, kindness and deep humanity and an uplifting storyline and music.

“New work like this can struggle to find a first production before being workshopped. There are processes that worked and some that didn’t, but we are so excited to be part of the beginning of a new American musical journey,” she said.

Director Robert Hall hails from Orcas Island. This is his debut on Whidbey Island.

“This is a play with a vintage feel, an old school Christmas. It is heartwarming and at times, funny mixed with love. I think audiences will feel the spirit of Christmas,” he said. “I love the kids, I am continually surprised by the little ones. I love seeing entire families involved in the production as well. There isn’t anyone in the cast that I haven’t seen bloom in one way or another.”

Photo by Tyler Raymond/WICA Savannah Cuneo plays Genevieve Cooper in “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – 1776.”

Photo by Tyler Raymond/WICA Rachel Sullivan as Graysha Douglas and John Maccarro as Nicholas van Kees in “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – 1776.”

Photo by Tyler Raymond/WICA John Maccarro plays Nicholas van Kees, the man who is thought to be the inspiration behind Clement Clarke Moore’s famous poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”