Time to read
1 minute
Read so far

Nativity rehearsals underway

0 comments

The Albany Nativity, a play written by Robert Nail and traditionally performed biennially by local citizens during the Christmas season, will be presented free of charge at the Aztec Theater at 7:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday, Dec. 14 and 15.

Tickets will be available at the Aztec box office starting at 7:00 p.m. before each performance.

“The tickets are free,” said director Lorna Ayers. “We are only using them to keep track of audience numbers.”

The doors close each night when either the tickets are sold out, or when the performance begins, whichever occurs first. 

Nail’s Albany Nativity traces the history of God’s Messiah, first promised in Genesis, passed down through the patriarchs and kings, foretold by prophets throughout the Old Testament, and manifested by the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

The story is told through Biblical tableau, music, and narration.

There will be only one performance on each of the two nights, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the downtown Aztec Theater. 

“Rehearsals are going really well, and everyone is being very flexible, especially when we have had to shift practices because of conflicts with the football playoffs,” said Ayers. “We are now putting the various parts of the show together with the narration and choir. It should be a really good show!”

Arches have been installed on the stage, costumes were distributed at the start of Monday night’s rehearsal, and choir practices are continuing.

Nativity Music

The 30-member angelic choir will again be made up of local students in the second through fifth grades. Sign-up forms were sent home from school, and spots were allotted on a first come, first served basis. The children were asked to attend all or at least a majority of the four rehearsals leading up to the performances, and were asked to commit to attending both performances. 

“The children’s choir is such a wonderful tradition for the students of Nancy Smith Elementary,” said Ayers. “Many residents of Albany have fond memories of participating in the Nativity choir as a child.”

An adult choir, under the direction of Sandy Abel, will provide music during the Nativity

Anyone who would like to sing in the adult choir should contact Abel for more details or see a related article on page 4A of this week’s issue.