First Baptist Church of NPR to present ‘Singing Christmas Tree’
NEW PORT RICHEY –
For the past year, the Rev. Kurt McKinnon has been wrestling with an unusual dilemma – how do you top a 30-foot Christmas tree?
If the answer, “Get a 30-foot ladder” just sprung to mind, you’re being too literal.
First Baptist Church of New Port Richey’s “Singing Christmas Tree,” which holds a chorus of more than 100 human “ornaments,” is back again for four holiday shows Dec. 17-19
As the music minister at First Baptist Church of New Port Richey, McKinnon is responsible for putting together the church’s Christmas show. Always one of the key holiday season events in West Pasco, last year’s show introduced “The Singing Christmas Tree,” a 10-tiered structure built to look like a Christmas tree, capable of holding a chorus of more than 100 human “ornaments.”
McKinnon and an all-volunteer group of more than 100 singers, 50 actors, an orchestra with 25-30 musicians and over a dozen tech crew members have been planning since January and rehearsing since August to create a new show around the enormous centerpiece for this year.
He’s confident audiences will be pleased with the visual and musical presents they’ll find around the “2010 Singing Christmas Tree” Friday, Dec. 17, through Sunday, Dec. 19, at the church.
Those who did not see the show last year will get to experience the “Oh, wow!” moment when they first lay eyes on the Singing Christmas Tree. But that’s only the beginning, McKinnon promises because even people who were at last year’s show are in for some fun surprises.
The only thing that’s the same is the “Hallelujah” chorus from “Messiah,” McKinnon said, and of course the tree itself. The rest of the show is brand new.
Last year, the production had an old-fashioned, traditional English Christmas motif. This year, McKinnon said, they went with a “Christmas in Florida” theme, which lends itself to some lighthearted fun.
One of the most important aspects in putting the show together is in its pacing and coming up with the right balance of humor and solemnity, blending the religious and secular sides of the holiday into an entertaining package.
McKinnon thinks they’ve achieved that balance. The show will open with some lighter, secular material, starting with “Christmas is the Best Time of the Year,” followed by “Home for the Holidays.”
While the songs are sung, actors will play out scenes. In one scene, a family is having a traditional Christmas dinner at home, while on another part of the stage, another family is having a beach party Christmas.
The children’s chorus will chime in with “Christmas-Time,” while a dozen preschoolers dressed as Christmas bells ding-dong their way down the aisles. The concert then takes on a more traditional tone with a medley of carols, followed by an “African Noel.”
“If anyone has scene a production of ‘The Lion King,’ it will have that kind of flavor,” McKinnon said.
With the arrival of the Three Kings, the concert gives itself entirely over to the religious meaning of the holiday, with “Jesus, You are Him” telling Jesus’ story from prophesy to birth.
This year, tickets are being handled a little differently. Only the exact number of tickets to fill the 971-seat auditorium will be available for each of the four shows. While children in fifth grade or younger will still get in for free, adults will pay $5.
Performances are at 7 p.m. tonight; 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18; and at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19.
Tickets can be reserved at First Baptist Church of New Port Richey, 6800 Trouble Creek Road, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays or by calling 727-849-4210. Tickets can be picked up at the church. There can be no credit card transactions, just checks or cash.
Tickets will be available at the door until a show is sold out.
Klint Lowry can be reached at 727-815-1067 or [email protected].
