Four actors in the upcoming musical drama, “Becoming Garland Avenue,” have an opportunity that most people will never have. They are real-life descendants of the characters they are portraying.
Hal Ticknor will portray his great-grandfather, Mayor John F. White; Kay Crossman Turner will play her great-grandmother, Ella Sparks Crossman; Nancy Ogle has the role of her great-grandmother, Roxie Walton Ogle; and Grace Wood will portray her great-grandmother, Lorena Holford.
Two additional actors who are part of long-standing Garland families also have leading roles. Roger Poore, grandson of newspaper editor Will Holford, plays early settler Richard Wyatt. John Combs, great-great-grandson of Nicholas Featherston Pace, uncle of Pace House founder John H. Pace, is playing Holford.
The play, “Becoming Garland Avenue,” set in 1913, paints a picture of Garland’s early days and shares information about and some of its leaders. The production features eight original songs and an original score.
The actress portraying Willie Kate Holford will wear the wedding gown worn by Ms. Holford at her 1926 wedding to Fred Holmes. The musical will be dedicated to Bill Holmes, the late son of Willie Kate and Fred Holmes.
The show is at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at the Plaza Theatre, 521 West 
State Street in downtown Garland.
Before the Plaza Theatre occupied the corner of Sixth Street and State Street, Gandy’s Store sat in that spot. The final scene of “Becoming Garland Avenue” takes place at Gandy’s Store, in the same spot where the play will be onstage at the Plaza Theatre.
“Becoming Garland Avenue” is held in conjunction with Garland’s 2019 Heritage Celebration.
Tickets, which are $18 for adults and $10 for students, are on sale at http://www.garlandartsboxoffice.com, by calling 972-205-2790 or by visiting the box office at the Granville Arts Center, 300 North Fifth Street, weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.