Our story begins the day before Christmas inside Chicago’s O’Hare Airport where all the hustle and bustle of travel is in full swing. As the curtain rises on the scene at the Gate, we see five families headed home to Orlando for the holidays.

The first family through the airport is the Bentleys, a wealthy couple who flew to Chicago to Christmas shop for their four children. They are weighed down with packages and anxious to get home to their loved ones who are waiting back in Orlando.

Next we meet the Goldsteins, returning home to Florida for a late Hanukkah celebration with their loved ones. The mother, father and three little girls take turns carrying the family Menorah.

Soon we see the Grandma and Grandpa Meriwether and their granddaughter Julie on their way to see Julie’s older sister perform in Ballet South’s Nutcracker. It is an extra special year because her sister is the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Our next traveler is Lieutenant Young, heading home to see his newlywed wife whom he hasn’t seen in over a year. He clutches a letter from her that he has read constantly while away at war.

Finally, Laurel, a distraught young girl appears; she is the only one of our travelers leaving home. She and her parents have quarreled about dancing and academic studies and so she has run away from home in order to follow her dreams alone.

While all the families wait at the gate to board their flight, a huge snowstorm grounds all the flights. As the evening goes on, the snow continues, forcing our families to spend Christmas Eve in the airport away from their loved ones. As the night grows late, our families fall asleep, hoping for a change in the weather so they can return home for their special days.

That night, while sleeping, each family dreams of the special holiday festivities they might miss because of the weather. Tender traditions and lively celebrations fill the stage as each family’s dream reveals what they long to enjoy…if only in their dreams.

Very early on Christmas Day, the families awaken to a new announcement explaining that the snow has passed and all the flights will be taking off shortly! The families are so happy as they hustle to board their flights. Everyone in the airport joins in the celebration and dances to holiday music.

After the celebration, the families prepare to board their flight for home. Then, as everyone else in the airport proceeds toward the plane, Laurel has a change of heart and runs back through the jet way. When she re-enters the Gate, she finds her parents waiting for her with open arms. They embrace, reminding us that everyone should be with loved ones for the holidays.

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