Yo ho, yo ho, an Encore life for me!

A happy holiday #FrontRowFriday from Encore to all of you! We hope everyone is enjoying themselves over the holiday weekend, surrounded by loved ones and seasonal cheer. To help you stay in the mood, check out our interview with a few of the cast members from the good ship Jingle ARRGH the Way!

Encore: Introduce yourself! Who do you play in Jingle? How long have you been involved in theatre? In what other Encore shows or programs have you participated?

Bridget: Hi, I am Bridget! I play Swill the Pirate. I have been involved in theatre for about six years now. This is my first Encore show, but I have been in Encore’s Scenes for Tweens As You Like It as Phebe.

Kate: Hello! I’m Kate, and I play the role of Sharktooth. He is the fiercest pirate of the seven seas, and also has a secret Broadway aspiration. I have been involved in theatre for around a year now. My first musical was [Disney’s] The Lion King, Jr. with Encore in February, 2018. I have been in three shows since: Pinocchio as sassy Contessa Natasha the cat, a school production of Treasure Island, and Shrek, Jr. with Stage Door [Summer Camp] as Papa Ogre and then Fiona in later performance.

Vivien: Hi, my name is Vivien; I am an 8th grader from Arlington, but on the stage I am Pierre, French pirate chef! I have loved theater spectating and acting for as long as I can remember! My first role with Encore was Little Wolf in A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol and then last year as one of the 12 girls in Madeline’s Christmas. I’ve also participated in the Encore’s Stage Door camps the last several summers. I had a lot of fun playing Harry Macafee in Bye Bye Birdie this summer!

Encore: What’s your favorite memory from the Jingle audition process?

Vivien: My favorite part of the Jingle audition process was definitely getting to see all of my Encore friends at the auditions.

Bridget: My favorite memory is when I was in callbacks with Lily (Jeremy Jacob), when she was Black Beard and I was a pirate wanting to be on her crew.

Kate: My favorite memory from the Jingle audition process was realizing how silly this show was truly going to be! I went in expecting some hardcore singing because of the musical aspect of the show, but when I entered the audition room we started singing showtunes with pirate twists. I thought to myself, “This is gonna be a fun show regardless if I participate.”

Encore: Tell us a pirate joke?

Bridget: What is a pirate’s favorite letter? You would think it’s “R,” right? Wrong, it’s “C;” get it?

Vivien: Why did the pirates go to jail? They got arrrrrrested.

Kate: Where does a one legged pirate go to breakfast: IHOP!

Encore: What is your favorite part of the holiday season?

Kate: My favorite part of the holiday season is the time spent with family. I have a great family, and when we all come together to spend time without the distractions of ordinary life, it’s a hoot.

Vivien: The food! 🙂

Bridget: My favorite part of the holiday season is seeing all my family that I rarely ever see.

Encore: Is your character on the “Naughty” or “Nice” list? Why?

Vivien: My character is on the naughty list because Santa tried to hire him as his chef but he turned him down to work for Braid Beard (he never liked the cold).

Bridget: My character would probably fit on both: He would fit on the nice list because he helps all of his pirate friends better understand things. He would fit on the naughty list because he can’t really drive that well (he tends to run away with the wheel in his hands.)

Kate: Sharktooth is a really tough guy on the outside, but take off the eye patch and he truly is a “sensitive guy.” He is on the nice list; Santa has been a bit forgiving this year. Sometimes, when Sharktooth gets a bit carried away in show business, his kindnesses get put on hold.

Encore: Why should everyone come see the show?

Bridget: Everyone should come see the show because it’s all about the holidays. You learn the true meaning of Christmas, and, I mean, who doesn’t love pirates?

Kate: Everyone should definitely come see the show! There is something for everyone. The show is jam packed full of funny references. We even have a few special guests from the North Pole if you wanna put your Christmas list in early this year (maybe get in a good word with the big guy!).

Vivien: Come see the show because you will never see anything else that’s quite as festive.

Thanks so much for sharing your holiday memories, ladies! You’ve certainly gotten us in the mood for fun songs, charming hijinks, and, of course, pirates! Come join us in the audience of Jingle ARRGH the Way by purchasing your tickets online or by calling our Box Office at (703) 548-1154. Please note that we won’t be back to port until Monday, November 26th, after the holiday.

Photos by Aileen Pangan Christian and Alana Gibson. Graphic design by Aileen Christian Pangan and Aimee Pangan. Blog contribution by Shannon McCarthy.