BUXTON – Teivy Manuel of Buxton is a holiday tradition unto herself.

For almost 30 years, Manuel, 94, has filled the reader’s role in the play, “The Old Peabody Pew.”

“I love doing it,” Manuel said before the recent dress rehearsal for the romantic comedy.

The two-act play will be presented at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, in the historic Tory Hill Meetinghouse at the intersection of routes 202 and 112 in Buxton. The Dorcas Society of Hollis and Buxton annually stages the play that author Kate Douglas Wiggin adapted from her book by the same title. Wiggin (1856-1923) gained fame for her children’s book, “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.”

While attending a church service at Tory Hill about three decades ago, Manuel, now a great-grandmother, was recruited for the role. An actress in the show handed Manuel a script and Manuel has been a fixture in the show ever since – though she’s not exactly sure of how many years it’s been.

“It’s over 25,” Manuel said, “close to 30 years.”

The nearly century-old play was first produced in 1916 when Wiggin was 60. Early on, the play had been staged more than once a year, and this year marks the 148th performance.

“That’s a long time,” said Manuel, who has lived in Buxton 66 years and has six children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Organizers expect the show to again pack the church, the setting Wiggin chose for the play. Today’s players don vintage costumes for the classic. Four capes and all the ladies’ hats are originals from Wiggin’s era.

Returning in the lead roles, Tim Wilbur plays Justin Peabody and Courtney Lamson Wescott is Nancy Wentworth.

The story centers on young Peabody, who returns home after a failed attempt seeking a fortune in Detroit, Mich., where he earned a pittance, $60 a month. But, despite being nearly penniless, Peabody wins the heart of his former sweetheart, the unmarried Wentworth.

Joining Manuel as a veteran in the show is Caroline Vail, who has played Maria Sharp for 17 years. She inherited her role.

”I took my mother’s place and she did it 25 years,” Vail said.

Alice McMachen, 11, a member of the drama club at Bonny Eagle Middle School, returns this year as Sally Bixby.

The cast includes Jane McCarthy as Mrs, Burbank; Linda Piper as Lobelia Brewster; Jane Charron as Mrs. Miller; Amberlee Moriarty as Mrs. Sargent; Camille Bourque as Mrs. Baxter; Cindy Buck as the widow Buzzell; and Cameron Mayhew as the sexton.

Carla Baade Turner, president of the society, produces the show and is costuming director. Turner lives at Quillcote, which was Wiggin’s home in Hollis. Moriarty again is director and Catherine Lamson is stage manager.

The annual production of “The Old Peabody Pew” has changed little through its 95 years.

“It’s very traditional. It’s always been the same,” Lamson said.

Teivy Manuel, 94, has filled the reader’s role in “The Old
Peabody Pew” for more than a quarter century. The romantic comedy
will be performed Sunday in Buxton. (Staff photo by Robert
Lowell)

BUXTON – Teivy Manuel of Buxton is a holiday tradition unto herself.

For almost 30 years, Manuel, 94, has filled the reader’s role in the play, “The Old Peabody Pew.”

“I love doing it,” Manuel said before the recent dress rehearsal for the romantic comedy.

The two-act play will be presented at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, in the historic Tory Hill Meetinghouse at the intersection of routes 202 and 112 in Buxton. The Dorcas Society of Hollis and Buxton annually stages the play that author Kate Douglas Wiggin adapted from her book by the same title. Wiggin (1856-1923) gained fame for her children’s book, “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.”

While attending a church service at Tory Hill about three decades ago, Manuel, now a great-grandmother, was recruited for the role. An actress in the show handed Manuel a script and Manuel has been a fixture in the show ever since – though she’s not exactly sure of how many years it’s been.

“It’s over 25,” Manuel said, “close to 30 years.”

The nearly century-old play was first produced in 1916 when Wiggin was 60. Early on, the play had been staged more than once a year, and this year marks the 148th performance.

“That’s a long time,” said Manuel, who has lived in Buxton 66 years and has six children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Organizers expect the show to again pack the church, the setting Wiggin chose for the play. Today’s players don vintage costumes for the classic. Four capes and all the ladies’ hats are originals from Wiggin’s era.

Returning in the lead roles, Tim Wilbur plays Justin Peabody and Courtney Lamson Wescott is Nancy Wentworth.

The story centers on young Peabody, who returns home after a failed attempt seeking a fortune in Detroit, Mich., where he earned a pittance, $60 a month. But, despite being nearly penniless, Peabody wins the heart of his former sweetheart, the unmarried Wentworth.

Joining Manuel as a veteran in the show is Caroline Vail, who has played Maria Sharp for 17 years. She inherited her role.

”I took my mother’s place and she did it 25 years,” Vail said.

Alice McMachen, 11, a member of the drama club at Bonny Eagle Middle School, returns this year as Sally Bixby.

The cast includes Jane McCarthy as Mrs, Burbank; Linda Piper as Lobelia Brewster; Jane Charron as Mrs. Miller; Amberlee Moriarty as Mrs. Sargent; Camille Bourque as Mrs. Baxter; Cindy Buck as the widow Buzzell; and Cameron Mayhew as the sexton.

Carla Baade Turner, president of the society, produces the show and is costuming director. Turner lives at Quillcote, which was Wiggin’s home in Hollis. Moriarty again is director and Catherine Lamson is stage manager.

The annual production of “The Old Peabody Pew” has changed little through its 95 years.

“It’s very traditional. It’s always been the same,” Lamson said.

Teivy Manuel, 94, has filled the reader’s role in “The Old
Peabody Pew” for more than a quarter century. The romantic comedy
will be performed Sunday in Buxton. (Staff photo by Robert
Lowell)