Holiday film to light up Princeton

Dec. 3 screening of "The Littlest Light on the Christmas Tree" to benefit American Cancer Society

By: Michael Redmond
   Princeton will be receiving a special screening of an award-winning animated holiday film, "The Littlest Light on the Christmas Tree," on Saturday, Dec. 3, in the Garden Theater, prior to a nationwide TV release.
   The screening will benefit the American Society Cancer, a cause close to the heart of Peter Lewis, co-author and composer of the musical tale, which features the voices of Jane Seymour and James Naughton.
   In Princeton, Mr. Lewis is better known as Dr. Lewis, a dentist who has been practicing here for more than 20 years. "The Littlest Light on the Christmas Tree" was created and co-produced by Peter Lewis and his wife, Lynne, in 2004. Lynne Lewis succumbed to ovarian cancer in June of that year.
   The Princeton screening of the 45-minute film will be as much of a community celebration as a fundraiser. The price of admission will be $5, although more sizeable donations to the American Cancer Society will be gratefully accepted. Beginning at 10:15 a.m., a brass ensemble will be playing outside the Garden Theater. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. The screening will begin at 11:15 a.m.
   According to Abrams Gentile Entertainment (AGE), "The Littlest Light on the Christmas Tree" tells the holiday story of the friendship "an abandoned Christmas bulb, afraid and alone, and Timothy, age 8, who finds him and takes him home. Broken and useless, Little Light is of no value to anyone – except to young Timothy, who sees himself in Little Light’s plight."
   The story comes to life when "Little Light miraculously shines again during a blackout the town suffers after a fierce winter storm. Timothy’s will and belief in his friend is so strong that Little Light triumphs over all odds — and his own self-doubt — to shine once again, lighting the way for others to ‘see the light.’"
   The Film Advisory Board has recommended "The Littlest Light" for all ages and granted the film its Award of Excellence. In addition, the film has earned the Family Advisory Board’s Award of Excellence and was honored with three Accolades Awards for "Best in Show," "Best Music" and "Best Animation" (CGI).
   "I’ve always been a songwriter," Dr. Lewis said. "The idea for this story came to me when I was writing some rock songs, and the lyricist came up with a line about ‘the littlest light on the Christmas tree.’ I really liked that image and thought to myself, ‘There’s a story here.’"
   Dr. Lewis wrote the script and the music and sent the package out to 20 different production companies. Frustrated by the response, Peter and Lynne Lewis formed their own company, Little Light, which eventually reached an agreement with AGE.
   "The only problem with the project was that the creative team was five men," Dr. Lewis said. "We needed a woman to bring balance to the team, and that was Lynne. She had a background in the performing arts, and she was very intelligent. Her contributions to the film were terrific."
   The Lewises have two children, daughter Rory and son Dare.
   Distributed by Sony Red and Mar Vista Entertainment, "The Littlest Light on the Christmas Tree" is available internationally on DVD. A Spanish-language version has already been aired as a TV special via HBO throughout Latin America.
   Peter Lewis is hard at work on another animated feature, "Bijou and the ‘Bots," which is planned for release in 2007. The story tells of girl whose father, a scientist, wants her to become a dancer — but she has other ideas.
   At the Garden Theater, "Littlest Light" DVDs, books, toys and gift packages (containing all three) will be on sale. Special DVD extras include an animated sing-along led by a bouncing Little Light and a fully-animated storybook narrated by James Naughton.