New Life Covenant to present musical
New Life Covenant Church in Markleysburg offers a Christmas message set during the Civil War to audiences this weekend in the musical “A Shenandoah Christmas.’ The program will be held tonight, Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. at the church, located at 4809 National Pike Road, Route 40, next to A.J. McMullen School.
“A Shenandoah Christmas’ continues the period pieces that New Life has brought to the stage at Christmastime since 1995.
“We did Victorian period, the ’40s. But we’ve never done this time before,’ said the Rev. Jerry Steele.
The setting for this musical is a small community in the mountains of Virginia during the Civil War. The war is a significant part of the program but not a central issue.
“Most of the people are abstainers from the war,’ said Rev. Steele. “A couple do go off to fight, but you get the sense that people didn’t know what they were doing. There’s one line that they’re fighting for their way of life. The war can be touchy but it’s part of our history. In this program, slavery isn’t depicted or condoned. It’s about poor country people.’
Rev. Steele explained the story takes place over six months in a community called Candler’s Bluff. The program begins in the summer and involves a father who has come home from the war because he’s had enough. He had fought in a battle with his oldest son and believes the son is dead. His youngest son joins the Army for the purpose of finding the older son. Rev. Steele didn’t want to give away the ending but said there is a point where the audience is not certain if either or both brothers are dead.
“I’m fascinated with this because I’m from Waynesboro in the Shenandoah Valley,’ said Rev. Steele. “If you grow up in Virginia, you grow up with the Civil War.’
“A Shenandoah Christmas’ was written by award-winning playwright Linda Nell Cooper, who is director of drama at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. Rev. Steele became acquainted with her last year.
“She does a lot of historical things. She’s done plays about slavery and the Underground Railroad,’ he noted.
Cooper works with composer David Legg, who writes original music for the shows. “A Shenandoah Christmas’ contains six original songs. The music includes country ballads and bluegrass. In addition, there are traditional carols, such as “Silent Night’ and “Away in a Manger.’ There are also several dance numbers choreographed by Gretchen Frantz, who studied the art at the Uniontown studio of her grandmother, the late Katy Lyon. The studio, Katy Lyon Dance Center, is still in operation under Lyon’s daughter Mia Palumbo Faris.
“This is the first play we have had an emphasis on dancing,’ said Rev. Steele, noting there are four dance numbers that include one for men called “Fruitcake,’ one for women called “Women’s Christmas Wish’ and a combined number called “Wedding Hoe Down.’
This is also the biggest cast the church has used. There are 27 actors plus 20 additional members in the chorus.
They include: Pam Turner, Lori McCarty, Denise Rosenberger, Doug Rosenberger, Andy Hostetler, Jon Turner, Chelsea Hoover, Mark Mayberry, Nicole Anderson, Todd Reagan, Christy El-Ayazara, Michael McCarty, Heather Rankin, Wanda Turner, Gretchen Frantz, Richard Dennis, Jerry Steele, Alan Witt, Chris Steele, Josh Mayberry, Samantha Anderson, Brittany Diehl, Melissa Hostetler, Megan McCarty, Gary Tressler, Rob Richie, Jared Turner and Shon Hostetler.
The people of Candler’s Bluff include James Christman, Delbert Rankin, Carla Bolish, Heather Fike, Berndette Leeds, Kathy Steele, Sandi Zaske, Eric Hoover, Chuck Sproul, Rosalie Christman, Rhonda Hoover, Helen Rankin, Wanda Tissue, Amy Witt, Terry McCarty, Debbie Anderson, Lucille Dennis, Nadja Lauer, Lorine Sproul, Vickie Warrick and Tonya Lux.
The Kids of the Foothills include Tabatha Anderson, Chynna El-Ayzazra, Micheal Frantz, Lauren Mayberry, Amanda Pople, Amber Sproul, Jackson Warrick, Cassie Cannon, Rebecca Fisher, Tobie Frantz, Sammy Moreland, Brandie Rankin, Jason Sproul, Jordan Diehl, Charlie Frantz, Megan Hoover, Dillon Myers, Corey Rugg and Bridget Turner.
Gary Tressler provides live music for the program with guitar, banjo and harmonica.
All are members of the church except Todd Reagan of Connellsville, a local singer who is lending his assistance to New Life.
The musical is about two and a half hours long plus an intermission. Doors will open an hour before the performance. There is no charge (“Our policy is not to exclude anyone,’ said Rev. Steele), but a freewill offering will be taken to help with expenses.
New Life Church’s membership comes from the tri-state area. Rev. Steele noted a third of the congregation is from Uniontown.
The membership looks forward to doing these Christmas musicals every year.
“It gives them a chance to express their gifts and talents in a non-traditional way,’ said Rev. Steele.
“People build sets, work on the costumes. A lady is using her dancing skills to choreograph the dance numbers. And the people push me. They say, ‘Let’s do this.’ It’s a highlight of the year. We started working in September and we’ve met every weekend. We’ve started to have somewhat of a following. People will call us and ask when we’re doing the program.’
Rev. Steele noted the programs are also beginning to receive groups who make it a point to attend because they know they will find wholesome family entertainment.
In fact, the church will accommodate groups who call ahead by allowing them to sit together.
“It’s also a good positive uplifting message,’ said Rev. Steele. “And people look for something to do at Christmas. It’s also something interesting for those we consider non-church people. It’s not traditional so people who are not familiar with coming to a church setting can see this is relevant and enjoyable.’
For more information on “A Shenandoah Christmas’ or New Life Covenant Church, phone 724-329-4945.