Greetings! New holiday play to open at the Marion Art Center
Frank Mitchell Scanzilla (left) plays Phil Gorski, Andy's father. Andy is played by Arturo Ferreiro (right). Photos by Mari Huglin
Tristan McCann, who plays Mickey, and Michele Letourneau, who plays Emily Gorski, chat in the characters' living room. 
Michele Letourneau, as Emily, cleans a glass while chatting with her family. 
From left to right: Bethany Lamoureux who plays Randi Stein, is introduced by Andy to Emily. 
Mickey and Randi share a moment.
Andy and Randi chat with Andy's family.
Frank Mitchell Scanzilla (left) plays Phil Gorski, Andy's father. Andy is played by Arturo Ferreiro (right). Photos by Mari Huglin
Tristan McCann, who plays Mickey, and Michele Letourneau, who plays Emily Gorski, chat in the characters' living room.
Michele Letourneau, as Emily, cleans a glass while chatting with her family.
From left to right: Bethany Lamoureux who plays Randi Stein, is introduced by Andy to Emily.
Mickey and Randi share a moment.
Andy and Randi chat with Andy's family.
MARION — Hectic holiday households are reflected on stage at the Marion Art Center’s new play.
“Greetings!” will run at the MAC from Thursday, Dec. 11 to Sunday, Dec. 14 with a 7:30 p.m. show each day, and an additional 2 p.m matinee Sunday.
Originally written by Tom Dudzik in the 1990s, the show addresses family drama over the holiday season. When one character brings home his girlfriend to his devout Catholic parents and intellectually disabled brother, things go awry and the family's belief system is challenged.
Director Jennifer Palmer said the two-hour show is about family dynamics and depicts how their relationships change and grow.
“There is a wisdom that comes into play in the midst of the show that I think people will find very interesting,” Palmer said.
She said the play was difficult to pull together since the cast had limited time to prepare, but their commitment made her directing experience enjoyable.
The cast of five bring a curiosity and spirit to the play, she said.
Tristan McCann, of Taunton, plays Mickey, the disabled brother. McCann said his main focus is to make people laugh and honestly portray the character.
“I want people to relate to the characters and their internal struggle and basically see themselves in it — both the good and the bad — and maybe walk out just a little bit wiser than when they came in,” he said.
Arturo Ferreiro plays Mickey’s older brother Andy. This is Ferreiro’s first time acting at the Marion Art Center, but he began performing 10 years ago during his service in the Marine Corps.
He said the hardest part of preparing for the show was memorizing lines and tackling the Northeastern accents, vocabulary and presentation. Ferreiro said he found similarities between himself and his character, Andy.
“He and I have very similar family dynamics. My father used to be the same way and I am the same way with my son,” he said. “A lot of the conversations hit very close to home.”
Ferreiro said his main goal is to deliver his lines perfectly. He said when he delivers well, it only makes it easier for his castmates to respond so they can shine.
“The play is not about me. It's about all of us,” he said.
Palmer said she hopes people will come to the show for a quiet moment during a busy holiday season.
“I can promise people that they will enjoy it and everyone will have a moment that really speaks to them,” Palmer said. “It's a really nice break from the craziness of the season.”
