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.
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Shazam! Best Christmas Pageant Ever at CFRT by JANICE BURTON The cast area at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre is usually a very joyful place. The pre-show chatter is upbeat as the actors prepare to take the stage. It is never more so than the weeks that the cast of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever takes over the theatre. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, featuring a cast of what seems like thousands, but is really more like 60, fills the theatre with laughter and the unmistaken joy of Christmas. Each year, the presentation of the BCPE is the theatre's gift to the community and its children. Those who have been in the community for a while, have come to know and love the story of the worst kids ever — The Herdmans. The play, simple in its construct, but incredibly difficult to put together, tells the story of the Herdman family and how they came to change the heart of a community through their appearance in the annual church Christmas play. For CFRT Artistic Director Tom Quaintance, the BCPE is a labor of love. Quaintance took on the show during his first year at the theatre as a means of getting to know the heart of community. He thinks that was a good move, and has returned this year to direct the show alongside the theatre's education director, Jae Powell. Since the community has embraced the show for more than 20 years, one of the duo's main tasks is keeping it relevant. "That really has to do with never taking the story for granted and never making it more complicated than that," explained Quaintance. "This is one of those shows that does not need to be reinterpreted for contemporary times. It is as timeless as Christmas itself." He contrasted the show with the recent staging of Jesus Christ Superstar at the CFRT. "When we did Jesus Christ Superstar, we paired it with a pretty original idea, but the play remained based on the text," said Quaintance. "But there is really nothing in BCPE that asks for that kind of change. The only reason you try to do too much with a play is boredom, not because you need to do anything with it." Quaintance said that the play will have the same feel as last year's show, but it won't be exactly the same. There are three separate casts performing again this year, which totals around 170 cast members or around 60 people per cast. "We have a really good group of kids. There is a lot of camaraderie and a strong sense of community between them," said Quaintance. They have also developed a strong sense of family. At the beginning of practice, the directors brought the cast together and assigned them into families. Each family was tasked with getting to know and take care of their other family members. "They have really taken that to heart," said Powell. "As you know, when you get a group of kids as diverse as this together, you can sometimes have problems. But we haven't." Instead what they have found is a group of children who look out for and take care of each other. Quaintance says each cast scores high marks in what he calls the "Big Cs: caring, compassion, camaraderie. And that's really the heart of the story in the first place — how a community finds it heart through the very children they thought would ruin the show. To share in this amazing Christmas experience, visit the CFRT website at JANICE BURTON, Associate www.cfrt.org. The show runs Publisher, COMMENTS? EdiDec. 6-16. tor@upandcomingweekly.com. Loft Tours Light Up Downtown by STEPHANIE CRIDER There is plenty to see and do in downtown Fayetteville — the shops, eateries, parks, galleries and museums all bring something special to the table. The community has all year to enjoy these establishments. Only once a year do people get to peek inside the homes and lofts above the storefronts. Each year the Downtown Alliance partners with downtown residents to showcase the many gems that hover over downtown. On Dec. 9, from 5-8 p.m. stroll through downtown and visit many of its unique living spaces. "We are really excited about this event," said Janet Lee, event coordinator. "This is a great effort between the Downtown Alliance and the residents of downtown that showcases what we have to offer. Downtown is more than a place to shop, it On Dec. 9, enjoy the candlelight loft tours in downtown Fayetteville. is a place to live." Lee explained that there are five lofts on this year's tour, each offering a different perspective. The loft at 112 Hay St. is on the tour and features impressive architecture. The building won the Carraway Award for Historic Preservation. WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM The grand staircase is of particular interest to many architecture buffs. David Sessoms currently resides in this space and has cone all out to give visitors a treat. "'The Dream Loft' was decorated by Jenn Ingle, owner and creator of Fluff and Stuff," said Sessoms. "The loft is decorated in a rustic chrome/silver accent to allow you to walk in to a Christmas dream, low lit with candles and treats." Local artist David McCune will also showcase his loft, which is always fun because visitors get to see some of his art as well as how he has decked out his place for the holidays. Downtown merchants have donated goody bags from Loft Tour sponsors, which will be given to the first 50 visitors. End the evening at The Wine Café, which is partnering with the Downtown Alliance and will serve dessert and drinks for guests. If visitors prefer to ride from loft to loft, Fayetteville Rickshaw offers rides for this event, as well. It's hard to say no when downtown merchants and residents are going out of their way to make this event as fun and enjoyable as they can. There were more than 200 visitors on the candlelight loft tour last year and the Downtown Alliance is hoping for at least as many this year. "It really went over well last year," said Lee. "And we think this year will be impressive as well." Tickets cost $10 in advance and $12 the day of the event. They are available at City Center Gallery and Books, Rude Awakening, So Chic Bebe and the Pilgrim. Visit STEPHANIE CRIDER, Associate www.fayettevillealliance.com for Editor. COMMENTS? Editor@ more information. upandcomingweekly.com DECEMBER 5-11, 2012 UCW 11