Albany Nativity set this weekend
By Donnie A. Lucas
After a four-year absence, the presentation of the Albany Nativity is set for two performances this weekend at the Aztec Theater.
The production, first written and produced in 1939 by Albany playwright Robert Nail, is opening on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m., with a second performance on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2:00 p.m.
As is the tradition, tickets to the performance are free of charge and will be available at the box office starting 45 minutes prior to each show.
“We invite everyone to come experience this gift to the community that Robert Nail gave,” director Lorna Ayers said. “We feel privileged to present this show again after a four-year absence due partly to the pandemic, as well as the death of one of its main benefactors and ardent supporters – A.V. Jones, Jr.”
Performed by the citizens of Albany and accompanied by both adult and children’s choirs, the production movingly recreates the foretelling of the Christ Child and His birth in a stable in Bethlehem.
Albany thespians traditionally present the play every second year during December. The last performances were in 2018.
The Aztec seats around 275 people, and the doors close each night when either the tickets are “sold out” or when the play begins, whichever occurs first.
Once the doors are shut, no one else is allowed to enter so that a worshipful atmosphere can be maintained during the performance, and attendees are asked to do their part as well.
“Out of traditional reverence for the Nativity and respect for fellow audience members, please silence all phones and technological devices and remove any young children that are unable to quietly observe the performance,” Ayers said.
Nail’s Albany Nativity tells the well-known story of the birth of the Christ child, but rather than jumping in somewhere shortly before His birth, Nail starts his play where the Bible begins the narration, in Genesis.
The promise of a Savior, passed down through the patriarchs, kings, and prophets of the Old Testament, and fulfilled centuries later by the Son of God arriving as a baby in a stable near Bethlehem is presented by the use of narration, Biblical tableau, and music.
Nativity Rehearsals
A dress rehearsal is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9.
Parents of students participating in the children’s choir are reminded to drop their children off at the Schooler Building across the street from the Aztec.
“Parents need to drop off and pick up kids across the street this year,” Ayers said. “Our volunteers will see that they safely get across Main Street at the right time, but we don;t want kids trying to come into the theater unescorted before their cue.”
Ayers said she was very pleased with rehearsals, especially the full run-throughs this week.
“I have been really impressed with how well rehearsals have gone this week, especially since so many members of the cast and crew are new this time,” she said. “It has gone so well – it all just clicked because everyone is so invested in this show.”
Nativity Cast
Cast members include: Narrator – Pam Davis, Primitive Man – Rod Britting, Patriarch – Art Viertel, First Son – Tony Hensley, First Wife – Stephanie Gleitz, Grandson – Wesley Gleitz, Granddaughter – Leddie Leech, Boy King David – Ayers Bezner, Water Bearers – Brooklyn Abbate and Robyn Trail, Moses – John Tate, Isaiah – Paul Hensley, Micah – Jonathan Scott, Daniel – Stephen Kayga, and Zechariah – Brad McBee.
Also Mary – Cali Rose, Gabriel – Stephen Gleitz, Elizabeth – Gaye Davis, Joseph – Glen Hill, Salah – Donnie Lucas, Herod – Jeff Davis, Elpis – Patti Jones, Guard – Wesley Gleitz, Lehabim – Kyle Viertel, Balthasar – Robert Dacus, Melchior – James Musselman, Caspar – Bob Skelton, Esrom – Henry Kelly, Jorim – David Waller, Abiram – John Viertel, and Paseah – Dan Key.
Nativity Crew
Working behind the scenes with Ayers are assistant director Ragan Riley, music director and organist – Sandy Abel, choir director Kyle Viertel, and backstage assistant/make-up Ann Riley.
Lights and Sound – Wade Jones.
Arch managers are Cori Bezner, Martha Lee, Jonathan Scott, Jenny Scott, Lynsi Musselman, and Amy Kelly.
Set supervisor – Don Taggart, Set construction – community volunteers, Tickets and Unshers – Members of Angelic Choir.
Sound Effects – AHS Band.
Children’s choir directors are Chanel Hayner, Lillian Wheeler, and Stephanie Gleitz.
Nativity Music
Angel Choir – Leddie Leech, Robyn Trail, Brooklyn Abbate, Briley Tabor, Robin Lucas, Gracie Price, Presley Green, Callan Edgar, Kiana Roberson, Brooke Kayga, Avery Everitt, Mimi Ivy.
The 30-member Children’s Choir will again be made up of local students in the second through fifth grades from Nancy Smith Elementary, Moran ISD, and home school students.
Members of the Adult Choir include Jenny Bailey, Keren Liming, Annette Snyder, Mary Rose, Kelsea Hill, Brandi Lehew, Sherry Viertel, Melinda Lucas, Don Fitzgibbons, Lanham Martin, Jon Rex Jones, John Viertel, and Aaron Hinshaw.
Nativity Origins
The Albany Nativity was first performed in 1939 at the Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church.
The drama, which is taken from scripture, was written by the late Robert Nail the year after the Fort Griffin Fandangle was established. It was produced by the people of Albany, just as the Fandangle was, until the Fandangle Association was organized several years later. The Nativity continued to be sponsored and financed by the Fandangle until 1994, when a separate board was set up.
Marge Bray directed the Nativity after Nail died suddenly in 1968. She continued as director until her own death in early 1994.
Other directors since that time have been Bill Overton, Alan Jones, Betsy Parsons, Reilly Nail, Jeanine Hill, and Lorna Ayers.
The Albany Nativity has had three different homes over the past 65 years. It began in the Presbyterian Church, although people from all denominations participated then, as they do now.
In 1952, the drama was moved into the auditorium at Nancy Smith Elementary School, which had been completed a year or two before. It continued to be presented in the small intimate auditorium every third year for the next 30 years, until 1982, when the auditorium was remodeled into classrooms.
There seemed to be no good location for the production to go, until 1991, when the Aztec Theater underwent the first stage of a complete renovation. The play was presented again in 1992, and since then has been produced every other year with the exception of 2010 and 2020.
