Life

'O, Holy Night' portrays nativity story through music

By Bill Moss, Published: December 4, 2013

Flat Rock Playhouse presents the traditional holiday show O Holy Night Dec. 12-22 at the Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown.

Four powerful singers are joined by a choir and a live band to present new arrangements of beloved songs and carols in a new musical adaptation of the classic Nativity story told through traditional and modern Christmas music. The Christmas event will celebrate the "reason for the season" and is a must-see for anyone who loves the story and music of Christmas.
The show considers what Christmas means for a diverse group of people from different times and different places. What was it like for Mary to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem? What did the Shepherds in the fields think when they were visited by the angels? What were two children in Africa thinking when they saw the star of Bethlehem? How does a child feel who is spending his first Christmas separated from his father or a charity worker who receives an unexpected donation?

Lead vocals are provided by Jane Bunting, who recently starred as Eponine in Flat Rock's production of Les Miserables, and Eric Anthony, one of the stars of Ring of Fire on Broadway. They are backed by a 24-member choir and a group of talented musicians who all play a variety of instruments throughout the show.
The 90-minute show includes Carol of the Bells, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, We Three Kings, Mary's Little Boy Child, O Holy Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, The First Noel, What Child is This and A Place in the Choir.

Modern Christmas and Winter songs include Christmas Pipes, All I Want For Christmas Is You, Breath of Heaven, Do They Know it's Christmas Time At All, Christmas Lullaby, I Believe in You (Bob Dylan Christmas Song), I Wish Everyday Could Be Like Christmas, River, The Butterfly, Wintersong and Song for a Winter's Night.

Production team is Vincent Marini (Director), Dan Gibson (Music Director), Diane David (Chorus Coordinator), Andrea Jess Berkey (Stage Manager), Kimberlee E. Winters (Lighting Designer), Ashli Arnold (Costume Designer), Leeanne Deaver (Costume Designer), Dennis Maulden (Scenic Designer), Bryan Delaney (Sound Designer), Paul Feraldi (Props Master), Lora McIntosh (Assistant Props Master), Adam Goodrum (Technical Director), Will Gautney (Interim ATD) and Samantha Yaeger (Assistant Scenic Charge).

Cast is Eric Anthony (Musician/Vocals), Jon Brown (Musician/Vocals), Ryan Guerra (Musician/Vocals), Jane Bunting (Musician/Vocals), Dan Gibson (Musician/Vocals) and Paul Babelay (Drums).

Performances are 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday with 2 p.m. matinees Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. All tickets are $35 and can be purchased by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-732-8008 or visiting www.flatrockplayhouse.org.