Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/217530
The Herdsmans Strike Again at Cape Fear Regional Theatre by STEPHANIE CRIDER Spend more than a year in Fayetteville and you will For many of the performers, and audience members, quickly learn that there are a few events that are essential too, BCPE is an integral part of the Christmas season. to the local Christmas scene. Cape Fear Regional Theatre's "When kids come to audition we always ask why they Holiday Classic The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is one of want to be in BCPE and so many times the kids tell them. The production has been performed at Cape Fear us that 'It wouldn't be Christmas without The Best Regional Theatre for the past 23 years and offers a unique Christmas Pagaent Ever,'" said Powell. "We have kids twist to the traditional Christmas story. It is not unusual for who have been doing this for eight or nine years and the show to sell out for any given performance. This year the fact that they keep coming back and that it means the theatre is adding shows to keep up with the demand. so much to them is touching. Being in a production like "We decided to open over Thanksgiving weekend this this is not just a good creative experience, it is a good year," said BCPE Director Jae Powell. "This is a popular life experience for the cast." show and we wanted to make sure that everyone gets a The familiarity that so many people have with chance to see it, but we also wanted to have it over the the show does add an extra layer of stress to the holiday weekend so that people who might have out of town production. Powell has to remind the kids that there are visitors would have another option for things to see and do people in the audience who know every word and will while their guests are here." notice if something is off. While keeping the story true The first show opens on Nov. 30, and the run closes on to its roots, the modern age has crept in somewhat to Dec 15. Based on the book The Best Christmas Pagaent keep things relevant. The characters have cell phones Ever by Barbara Robinson, the play tells the story of the and things like that. Overall the community loves BCPE Herdsman family, a rough and tumble bunch who have the way it has been told for the past 23 years and CFRT never heard the Christmas Story. The Herdsmans take understands the value of tradition. over the production at the local church. The result is like The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, a favorite Several Cumberland County schools take field trips nothing the congregation has seen before, turning the at Cape Fear Regional Theater each year, will to see BCPE and the significance of the school shows is Wise Men into spies and depicting Herod as needing a run Nov. 30 - Dec. 15. not lost on Powell. "It is so great to see the kids come good beating. in all excited to see BCPE, but more importantly, it is Powell co-directed the play last year with Tom really exciting to us that for many of them this is their first Quaintance the theatre's artistic director. This year she is flying solo on the theatre experience." project directing more than 200 kids in three casts of between 60 and 70 Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 performers. "It is a little bit scary just because of the bigness of it all," said STEPHANIE CRIDER, Editor COMper children. Visit www.cfrt. MENTS? Editor@upandcominPowell.FINE ARTSalso really rewarding and wonderful. The kids are fantastic "But it is SERIES org for more information or to & WFSS are phenomenal." Featuring the Grammy gweekly.com. and the parents 91.9 FM present purchase tickets. Award-winning Vocal Group acula ! ec t p S H o l ida TAKE 6 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2013 4:00 PM Seabrook Auditorium General Admission $20 • Weddings, Holiday Parties, Anniversaries, Celebrations • Space accommodates up to 300 people Call to schedule an appointment to see the venue. For all Group, Military, and FOTA member rates, please contact the FSU Box Office at 910-672-1724 6775 Irongate Drive • Fayetteville, NC The Fine Arts Series at FSU is supported in part by: F WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM T III F Discover What's Hidden Behind the Gates A F TA 910.425.6667 www.gatesfour.com NOV. 27 - DEC. 3, 2013 UCW 11