 By Michael Edgar Myers Founding Director A few summers ago, my theatrical agent called with a wonderful performance opportunity. A holiday season show. Christmastime. Six-to-nine weeks depending on rehearsals.
Actors hear two words at such a possibility. Especially during the holidays. "Ka-ching!" Honestly, I was more excited about auditioning than getting the job. Auditions for me, for the professional stage, had been rare in recent years. Even though the role wasn't one I actually felt qualified for (if I was directing the show, would I have call ME to read?), being asked was exciting. I was new to the agency, trying to resurrect my career in a new season of life. Landing the job may earn me more opportunities and restore confidence. It was good to be wanted. It was better to be hired. That's how I became associated with a holiday show we lovingly called, "Broadway on a Train."
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 Vikki recoils at her kids’ Christmas list in her holiday show, “True Gifts: Stories of Birth & Renewal” But KIT’s wish list makes her smile... and pray. It is not the easiest question to answer: “What do you want for Christmas?”
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It may be fair to conclude that the first Christmas carol created on the shores of the U.S. was by Americans of African descent. That is, African-Americans.
Keep in mind that, in #CarolStory, the ten-minute play by Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries, the definition of a Christmas carol is a song that includes the salvation message of Christ amid the story of the birth of Jesus. Until “Go Tell It on the Mountain” was put to paper by John Wesley Work Jr., in 1906, the traditional carols sung in the States originated in Europe. |
This song is one of 61 on the playlist of “Carol Story,” a 10-minute play that tells the life of Christ solely through Christmas lyrics as dialogue. Learn More about "Carol Story" and "Carol Story: The Easter Edition."
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LEARN MORE: John Wesley Work & Fisk University Singers
The finale of Charlie Brown's Christmas program sings the gospel of Luke.
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As with Handel’s “Messiah,” the development of “Hark! The Herald Angel Sings” exemplifies the ever-evolving collaboration (some say interference) of artist, patron and theologian.
The original poem which begat the song, written in 1739 by Methodist pastor and song writer Charles Wesley, was entitled “Hymn for Christmas Day.” Wesley’s hymn was an epic with over 10 stanzas. It included words that showed Wesley’s intellect but left listeners scratching their heads. Wesley’s pastor friend, George Whitefield, pointed this out and suggested revisions, simplifying the text. |
This song is one of 61 on the playlist of “Carol Story,” a 10-minute play that tells the life of Christ solely through Christmas lyrics as dialogue. Learn More about "Carol Story" and "Carol Story: The Easter Edition."
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George Friderik Handel's "Messiah," is a Christmas classic that began as an Easter concert.
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Imagine going about your daily activities of life -- school, shopping, work, dining -- and suddenly the sky around you bursts into song: a voice here, a voice there, until the entire sky is filled with powerful harmonies singing repeatedly the same set of lyrics, delivering a message.
What would you do? Sit slack-jawed! Complain? Hide? Join in? Call the authorities? Utter a sentence starting with "What the..."? The shepherds tending flocks on the silent night on the hills above Bethlehem faced this situation. In their case, "What the...?" may not have been an unreasonable response. |
This song is one of 61 on the playlist of “Carol Story,” a 10-minute play that tells the life of Christ solely through Christmas lyrics as dialogue. Learn More about "Carol Story" and "Carol Story: The Easter Edition."
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