Sheep, angels and magi, oh my! Last Friday night, Grace Baptist Church of Christ transformed into Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre. But it wasn’t the Lion King cast that captivated the pews; it was Grace’s very own drama ministry reenacting Jesus’ birth narrative from the early chapters of the Book of Luke. With the leadership of Sis. Tamara Hallett and the support of the Sunday School ministry, Friday night made for a joyous occasion.
The drama ministry put in the time to orchestrate two plays: A Different Type of Baby, which was performed by the youth, and A Christmas to Believe in, which starred Grace’s young adults. The first play provided a heartfelt presentation of the days leading up to Jesus’ birth, followed by a more comical experience with the likes of Bro. Keith Walls in the latter play, as Sis. Monique Williams tries to convince him that Christmas is more real than the old stories of a jolly hefty fellow named St. Nick. And of course, what would Broadway be without music? Grace’s adult choir provided their vocal support for renders of “Away in the Manger,” “the Savior of the World is Coming,” “Peace on Earth,” “Glory to the Newborn King” and “Go Tell it on the Mountain” as well as several other Christmas classics.
The most memorable moment of the night was produced by a herd of sheep; or more like the Sunshine choir with white cotton on their heads. The kids crawled down the aisles to meet Mary and Joseph by the manger. The kids also doubled up on their roles when they played as the angels in heaven discussing the birth of Jesus.
“Imagine that, a baby is coming as the Messiah!” Sis. Shameka Smith-Harding exclaimed as the angel lined up side-by-side.
But the most Oscar worthy work ethics belongs to Bro. Shawn Price. From a Roman guard to Joseph himself, Price played about as many roles as Eddie Murphy in The Nutty Professor.
A Christmas to Believe was certainly a more comical piece. Bro. John Casey says that Bro. Wall’s sarcasm stole the show. The story centered on Sis. Williams’ valiant attempt to convince Walls of the true message of Christmas. Mary, or Sis. Milly Cato, would constantly ask “do you believe yet” after each scene. After watching Sis. Ortiz appear as an angel to Elizabeth, Joseph, Zechariah, Mary and the Jews — over and over and over — the message finally grew on Bro. Walls. He Christmas wish also came true by the end of the night — every one indulged themselves with baked cookies and candy canes in the lower level of the Church.
Sis. Hallett and Paulette Boothe were most pleased with the overall results. Amidst working around everyone’s tough schedules, planning the show in early November around the same time as International Homecoming, Thanksgiving and other events and relying on the school to pitch in some of the props, the directors and Sis. Buzzy say “it was nothing but the Lord” that allowed Friday night’s showtime to run so smoothly.
Sis. Boothe says that the most rewarding part of the entire process is knowing that the play would convey a stronger picture of Jesus’ Birth Narrative and Nativity Scene for Bible readers. “Seeing people coming out, being a part of this, and really getting the message,” Boothe said. “Sometimes, when you read something, not everything connects or clearly comes out,” Hallett added. “The play brings the words to life. It’s just another way to communicate it and get it across.”
After such a stellar performance, what is next for the drama ministry? Disney World? The Aspens? Jersey Shore? None of the above. Sis. Hallett is already thinking about their next plays and recruiting the next Russell Crowe. “Come on out, we’re looking for some people!” she said. “Some hard working committed people.” Sheep, angels and magi, oh my!
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