SCERA and Liken Partner Again on Musical THE FIRST CHRISTMAS, Now thru 12/21

After a sold-out world stage premiere last year, SCERA is partnering again with Liken to produce the heartwarming holiday musical "The First Christmas," based on the popular Liken movie of the same name.

"We are thrilled to be back," says director Michael Carrasco. "As in all Liken productions, a modern day child has a challenge and a parent or teacher tells him or her a story that comes to life as a musical. The child applies the story to the challenge, and the audience sees how it turns out. As the title suggests, this is the story of the nativity."

And as seen through the imagination of a child, it becomes believable, for example, shepherds cleverly named Omar and Sharif would dance and sing, King Herod would have an assistant named Nimrod and that humor would be a dominant element at times in the vividly reimagined story. Featured among the several story lines are Mary and Joseph, and Elizabeth and Zacharias.

"We have created a new modern-day story, but just as we did last year, we ultimately point the story toward a stable in Bethlehem," Carrasco says. "We use it as a metaphor for our audience to also point their stories toward a stable in Bethlehem, because all need to find a place for Christ in our lives."

The musical will open tonight, Nov. 29 and run through Dec. 21 on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. at the SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 S. State, Orem. All seats are reserved and are tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for children (age 3-11), seniors (age 65+) and students (w/ID). There are discounts for groups of 20 or more purchased in advance. Tickets are available at www.scera.org, by calling (801) 225-ARTS, at the main office of SCERA Center, open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m. or and at the box office 30 minutes prior to the show.

The 2012 production of "The First Christmas" had the modern part of the tale present the challenge of standing up for Christmas when the song "Silent Night" was banned at a local grade school. To keep the story fresh for 2013, writer Dennis Angle Jr. has the same family faced dealing with death of a much-loved grandfather, and five-year-old Amelia and her parents visit grandma on Christmas Eve to see how she is doing.

"It's a pretty tender story for Dennis Agle, who wrote 'The First Christmas,'" Carrasco says. "His father had some health problems this year and recently passed away. This is a sensitive time of year for many who need to find comfort and joy."

Daniel Beck, a tenor who appeared as Angel Gabriel in the movie version of the show and in last year's stage production, will again reprise the role Nov. 29, 30, Dec, 2, 5, 6, 16, 19, 20 and 21. Shawn Mortensen, an accomplished actor and singer, will perform the part Dec. 7, 9, 12, 13 and 14. In addition to Gabriel, making appearances are a heavenly host choir. Assisting Carrasco are Michael DuBois, music director, and Nichole Ortega, choreographer. Costumes are designed by Kelsey Seaver, props by Christy Norton and lights by ElizaBeth Griffiths. The show is co-produced by SCERA and Liken's Ken Agle and Dennis Agle Jr.

"If you are a fan of Liken films, you will absolutely love the musical," says Carrasco. "As in all Liken productions, the music and lyrics by Aaron Edson are a highlight. We have a new song called 'Sing with the Angels' that represents grandpa's favorite song. The child begins singing it, is joined by her father, then her mother and grandmother. What they don't notice is that the angels are singing along with them. It's a lovely addition."

"This is the SCERA's gift to the community for the holiday season," says Adam J. Robertson, SCERA's President & CEO. "We like that 'The First Christmas' highlights the traditional nativity story and draws parallels with a contemporary twist. We had packed audiences last year that echoed that opinion and we hope it will become a treasured family tradition."

Pictured: Michael DuBois as Joseph, Julia Sanchez as Mary and Cedar Andrews as Baby Jesus. Photo Credit: Mark A. Philbrick.

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