Sing Hosanna! is nailing down roles and gathering cooks in preparation for a winter dinner theater.

The group on Jan. 16 will present “The Snow Child,” adapted from the Russian folk tale by Jody Davidson.

In the story, people in a small Russian village believe that every New Year the fairy Babushka grants every worthy person a special wish for the holiday season.

Toy makers Dimitri and his wife Katya are sad, for they have no children. Dimitri makes a wish to Babushka that he can bring his wife happiness.

He decides to make a little girl out of snow from around their home. Add happiness and a little magic and you have a gentle wintery play filled with genuine warmth and tenderness.

The role of the wife Katya is being played by Michelle McAuley of Butler. She said her greatest strength in this role is that she herself is a mother.

“I am a mom, therefore I feel I know how joyous it is raising children, teaching them and watching them become who they are going to be,” McAuley said.

“Because my real life has been blessed with children, I feel I can tap into Katya's character emotions on how sad and empty it would be to have a life without a child.”

Having just gotten back into acting after a 15-year hiatus, she is thankful for the depths this role is requiring.

“This show in particular is allowing me to reach deep into the emotions of myself and my life to convey the true feelings of my character,” she said.

The Russian accent is proving to be somewhat daunting, however.

“The most challenging aspect of this role would have to be learning and mastering a true Russian accent, and being consistent with it throughout the play,” she said.

McAuley's real-life daughter, Abigail, is also in this production and that has been a bit of an added bonus.

“This show has also provided me with the enjoyment of watching my own daughter develop and strengthen her acting skills as well as share our love for acting on stage,” McAuley said.

“This is a touching story for all ages to enjoy. It is a truly beautiful story that will warm the hearts of all who see it in its wintery-themed splendor.”

Portraying the Snow Child in the show is Megan Rockcastle of Butler Township. The 16-year-old freshman at Butler Intermediate High School has performed with Sing Hosanna! before.

“Since she's made of snow, she has limited movement, like a doll. She's a happy girl who wants to be friends with everybody,” Megan said of her character.

Megan believes her strengths go deeper than just being able to pull off being a young child even though she is 16.

“I have based the character off my personality, a happy girl who wants to be friends with everybody,” she said.

Megan, who typically appears in musicals with Sing Hosanna!, was in “Mary Poppins” as a bank clerk and as a member of the ensemble. She is trying out some new theater territory with regard to this role.

“I wanted to gain more acting experience. This is my first dinner theater, and I wanted to try out a new form of theater. Most of my other performances have been musicals. This is the first production that has no singing,” Megan noted.

The biggest challenge, though, is to remember to maintain stiff movements.

“It's hard not to bend,” she said.

Area twins Leta and Elizabeth Hixon of Forward Township will be portraying a pair of 8-year-old Russian twins, Tasha and Masha, in this production.

The Hixons in reality are 10 years old and in the fifth grade at Evans City Middle School.

“Masha is a sweet 8-year-old Russian girl who stands up for the snow child,” said Elizabeth of her character.

Leta said, “I play Tash, who is a bit of a goody two- shoes.”

The girls said they are enjoying learning about the Russian customs and traditions, but find the Russian accent a bit tricky.

The show also features: Reuben Holt IV, Leah Harris, Skylyn Ellison and Sean Tweed.

The spring musical for Sing Hosanna! will be “Seussical” on April 1, 2 and 3.

WHO: Sing HosannaWHAT: Winter dinner theater featuring “The Snow Child”WHEN: Noon Jan. 16WHERE: St. Peter’s Parish hall, 127 Franklin St.TICKETS: $22 for adults; $7 for ages 10 and younger. Reservations are required by Monday. Tickets are available from cast members and at May’s Music Shoppe.INFORMATION: Call 724-287-8362