JOSIAH DUTTON FINISHES TREATMENT FOR LEUKEMIA
Community celebration planned for young performer diagnosed at age 2
6-year-old Josiah smiles about his recovery from leukemia
Branson, MO: Six-year-old Josiah of the Dutton Family is turning the Duttons’ 8:00 PM Christmas Show on Saturday, November 5, 2016, at the Dutton Family Theater in Branson, Missouri into a “No More Chemo Pajama Party” to celebrate his final chemo treatment!
Dress for guests who have purchased tickets for this particular performance will be casual, VERY casual. All are encouraged to come in pajamas, and even to bring a favorite teddy bear or “blankie.”
Wear your favorite modest pajamas for a chance to win a prize!
A special panel of judges comprised of employees and patients at St. Jude’s Clinic in Springfield, Missouri will select their favorite 3 pajama ensembles. The winning audience members will model their pajamas on stage during intermission, and Josiah will present each with a prize especially selected by him. (The judges have requested only modest pajamas please. No négligées allowed. This is a family show!)
Audience members are also invited to bring a new pair of pajamas or a nightgown for a child (ages 0–17) being treated at St. Jude’s Clinic at Mercy Hospital. For each pair of pajamas donated to Saint Jude’s, guests will receive a gift certificate for ice cream for two at Abby’s Tourist Trap. The pajamas will be placed on a Christmas tree at St Jude’s, and patients will be able to select a set of their choice for Christmas. The judges will also award 3 prizes for their favorite gifted pajamas, so be sure to attach your name to your gift.
The Duttons’ production of “The Fight Song” will be performed one last time for Josiah. The house lights will be brought up and the whole audience will join in as they are filmed singing with the the performers on stage. Josiah’s friend Juerrell Lavatai, World Champion Fire Knife Dancer, will make a special appearance to burn Josiah’s medical masks.
It has been 3 1/2 years since Josiah’s leukemia was first diagnosed at Children’s Primary Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. “Thousands of chemo treatments, hundreds of steroid treatments, and scores of spinal taps later, we have great cause to celebrate,” says Josiah’s mom, Amy. “We thank our gracious God for His goodness to us, and we thank the hundreds of congregations and thousands of individuals, who have prayed for our little boy.”
Tickets are still available for the Branson show on November 5th.
“A similar celebration will take place at the Dutton Theater in Mesa with our wonderful Arizona supporters on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at both the matinee and evening shows,” says Dean Dutton, Josiah’s grandfather.
Guests unable to attend either the Branson or the Mesa show for Josiah’s “No More Chemo Pajama Party” may send a pair of pajamas or a check for $10 made out to St Jude’s by December 5, and will be entered into a drawing for a two night stay at the Dutton Inn and two adult tickets to see the Dutton Show. All donations should be sent to:
The Dutton Family Theater
3454 W. 76 Country Blvd.
Branson, MO 65616
The drawing will be held at the 7 PM show in Mesa, Arizona and the winner called that evening following show, if not present at the show. The winner will be announced on Facebook and The Duttons website, www.theduttons.com.
For tickets, more information, or Josiah’s Journey photos call 417-332-2772 and/or visit www.theduttons.com..
About The Duttons: THE DUTTONS are international touring and recording artists who’ve made their home in Branson, performing 5-10 shows per week for the last 19 years at their own Theater on the 76 “strip” in Branson, MO and, during the winter season, at their Family Theater in Mesa, AZ. For more information, please visit https://www.theduttons.com/.
