Olympia Little Theater’s 'The Christmas Express' rolls into town
Originally published on The JOLT News on December 11, 2025
About seven years ago, my mom gifted me a compilation DVD filled with old television Christmas episodes. To this day, I cherish this collection and often watch these episodes before bed during the Christmas season.
At this point, I have the episodes practically memorized, which I want to consider to be a dorky fact about myself. Now I realize the value of carrying such stories in your heart and allowing their lessons to brighten your life, make you a better person in one way or another, and comfort you during both the good and bad times.
In many ways, Olympia Little Theater’s (OLT) “The Christmas Express” reminded me of the town of Mayberry from “The Andy Griffith Show,” and allowed me for a couple of short hours to feel as if this fictitious town had actually come to life. Oh what a joy it was for me to witness!
“Christmas Express” was full of realistic humor, small town charm, imagination and love. For these reasons and more, you really should buy a ticket to see the show during its holiday season run, which ends on Dec. 21.
OLT’s gifts are homemade
They say the best gifts are homemade. If that is the case, then the show is the best gift you can give a loved one this holiday season. There was a professional, yet warm and homemade quality to this production.
Co-Director Scott Ellgen is a jolly spirit whose kind and generous presence brightened the room. Ellgen’s introduction to the show set the tone and recalibrated our hearts to the exact nostalgic qualities that make us human.
The ensemble represented each of us through the character they played, and did so seamlessly that I almost forgot they were acting and I was not just watching real life take place. After living in our modern world for so long, stepping back in time is not an easy task, but this cast embodied that sort of Mayberry spirit so well.
Sam Price played the Barney Fife character named Satch with the exact innocent, naïve and clumsy persona that we cannot help but root for.
Andrea Gordon played a grumpier sort of Andy Griffith named Hilda, whose fear and grief have threatened her very sense of hope.
Alex Greene and Rainier Ottavelli played that just married young couple who have senseless arguments that are both obnoxious, yet wildly entertaining with such jovial sincerity that I literally checked my program to double-check they weren’t married in real life.
Who can forget Chuck Meares’ depiction of the mysterious Leo, who gives the small town of Holly the exact thing they need for Christmas.
The set design was particularly clever and aesthetically pleasing, and I must admit a little part of me wishes I could’ve explored every detail hands-on, but we do not do that in the theatre. The cherry on top to creating a small town feel of the days of yore was the artist showcase of festive quilts on display in the lobby, handcrafted by OLT’s Office Manager Cathie Shaughnessy.
All aboard
During the initial scenes in the first act of the play, I was concerned that the play was going to be very slow, then I realized something: the timing of the play was appropriate for the setting and story, and it actually was not very slow — I am just used to a fast paced world with constant stimulation that makes for a rushed state feel natural.
I’m used to life on freeways and do not always choose scenic detours that sure may not get me to my destination the quickest, but make the journey far more enriching. We happen to get the exact same pleasure from riding the train rather than flying.
When was the last time you rode a train? Whether that means an actual physical train or taking time to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Christmas is the best time to board the train and it gives us ample opportunities to reconnect to what actually matters in life through the means of traveling through the past. Memory is the route our hearts often take to connect us with what we care about most.
So, all aboard, dear readers! Make sure to have your tickets ready to give to the conductor so that you can go on the festive ride of this holiday season. Be sure to connect with your fellow passengers before the show and during intermission, for nothing makes us feel more human than making new friends.
Tickets can be purchased here.
https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/olympia-little-theaters-the-christmas-express-rolls-into-town,27350