Albany Nativity captivates large audiences

The Albany Nativity was presented to the community last weekend, during two performances at the Aztec Theater to an estimated audience of 450.

“Both shows were so good, and the audience raved about it as they left the theater,” director Lorna Ayers said. “I was impressed with all the actors and crew. The passion that the cast has for this production was very evident, and audience members said it was the best they had seen in years.”

The production was presented as a gift to the community, a phrase coined by its creator Robert Nail in 1939. Nail was also the playwright and director for the Fort Griffin Fandangle.

“I am so proud of the cast, choirs, and crew who volunteer their time and talent to this production,” Ayers said. “We owe a special thanks to Don Fitzgibbons, Jeff Jones, Chris Beard and Buford Salters and their helpers for erecting the sets and packing it all away. We had a lot of new volunteers show up to help this year.”

Ayers said Chris Beard and Jeff Jones have volunteered as production managers for the next show in 2026. She thanked Salters and Don Taggart for the years of serving in those roles in the past.

“We had so many new people in the cast and crew who now have a taste of how special the Nativity is,” Ayers said. “I think they are all now invested in its future.”

Sandy Abel was the music director and organ accompanist for the show, which included dozens of actors, three choirs and many behind-the-scenes volunteers.

“I don’t think people realize what a massive undertaking this production is,” Ayers said. “There are a lot of working parts, and I am so thankful for the response we had this year of people’s time and money, to make it a reality. It was a true community effort.”