Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Four shows to inspire, entertain

By GAIL HOLLENBECK
Published December 3, 2005

INVERNESS - If you've never seen a "Singing Christmas Tree," you'll have a chance next weekend. The 21-foot tree is part of a Christmas musical drama, one of four by area churches created to make the season meaningful for your family. All are free.

Perhaps you already have reservations for Christmas on Merry Lane , a dinner-theater presentation of the Inverness Vineyard that begins tonight. It includes dinner and special Christmas music by the Vineyard Praise Band.

Merry Lane is a nursing facility that the Brittenham brothers call home. Rufus, the oldest, is a grouch who dislikes Christmas; Edgar is the kind-hearted, softspoken middle brother who is the peacemaker; Percy, the youngest, is scatterbrained but has a heart of gold.

Despite Rufus' many objections, Percy shares story after story about their childhood. This drives Rufus crazy. The Ladies Auxiliary stops in to sing Christmas carols, and the children in the group visit with and "adopt" a grandparent. Magically, one little girl touches Rufus' heart in a way no one has before.

Shows are at 7 p.m. today through Monday. A matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday includes coffee and dessert instead of a meal. Those with reservations will be seated between 6:15 and 6:30. Those without will be admitted at 6:45 p.m.

The Vineyard is at 960 S U.S. 41. Call 726-1480.

* * *

A 21-foot tree filled with 60 choir members from three churches and decorated with thousands of lights that do special things will be the centerpiece of the production by First Baptist Church of Crystal River. It's at 7 p.m. Friday and Dec. 10 and at 2:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 11.

"Our goal is to present a Broadway-style musical with singing and dancing that ultimately presents the audience with the greatest Christmas gift of all, Jesus Christ," said Chuck Cooley, director of the program.

"The Singing Christmas Tree is new for us," Cooley said. "We purchased it in the spring and look forward to many years of developing it. First Baptist of Orlando is definitely the leader in presenting the Singing Christmas Tree, and this is their final year. We hope to fill some of that void they will leave."

The Spirit of Christmas is about a family that is unable to go home for the holidays. The members reflect on memories of Christmases past at home.

They finally decide to fill the void by adopting a family that has lost everything in Hurricane Katrina.

The musical includes popular secular songs like Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and concludes with And the Glory of the Lord from Handel's Messiah .

The drama concludes with the re-enactment of the Christmas story told in the Gospel of Luke.

The church is at 700 Citrus Ave. Tickets are going fast. Call 795-3367.

* * *

The drama and choir ministries of First United Methodist Church of Inverness will present A Christmas Post at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17.

The story is set in 1947 and brings Norman Rockwell's ordinary Americans to life to remind us all what Christmas is really about. It includes characters like the exhausted single mom Alice Garfield, the wise Hattie McGee and Brother Sam.

The story shows that Christmas is just the beginning of the journey from the manger to the cross. The strength of faith demonstrated by Alice's daughter, Katie, brings alive the truth that "believing is seeing."

Katie's simple faith reminds the audience of Jesus' advice that people should be like the children who approached him: trusting and humble.

The church is at 3896 S Pleasant Grove Road. A nursery will be available. An offering will be taken. Call 726-2522.

* * *

Jesus Our Treasure is the musical drama being presented by the North Oak Worship Choir of North Oak Baptist Church at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17.

The story centers around the conversation between Jacob and his granddaughter Miriam. Jacob was one of the shepherds on the hillside when the angels announced Christ's birth. He is looking back and sharing the story.

The story has a unique twist in that Jacob's son was one of the boys killed by King Herod after Jesus' birth. The story refers to the cost of the gift of Christ. Sometimes it costs us our anger and our unforgiveness.

The musical features the Casting Crowns song Who Am I?

The church's children's choir will present Three Wise Men and a Baby at 6 p.m. Dec. 18.

North Oak Baptist Church is at 9324 N Elkcam Blvd., at the corner of N Citrus Springs Boulevard in Citrus Springs. Call 746-1500 or (352) 489-1688.

[Last modified December 3, 2005, 01:21:14]