Nativity back after 4-year lapse

By Donnie A. Lucas

The final rehearsals are set next week for “The Nativity” performances set for Dec. 10 and 11 at the Aztec Theater.

Tickets are free of charge and will be available at the door starting 45 minutes prior to each performance.

The opening show is set for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, with a second performance on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2:00 p.m.

The play, written by Albany native Robert Nail, depicts the foretelling and birth of Christ.

Music is provided by the show’s musical director and accompanist Sandy Abel and both an adult and children’s choir.

“Rehearsals have gone really well, especially considering the number of new people who are involved,” director Lorna Ayers said. “It has been four years since the last production, but everyone is getting caught up quickly.”

The adult choir had its first rehearsal on Monday, with another planned at 6:45 p.m. today (Thursday) at the Presbyterian Church.

“The choir practice went pretty well, but we still need a few more people,” Able said. “We are also planning a practice on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the church; then we will have the two full rehearsals with the cast on Monday and Tuesday.”

The entire cast and crew, along with the choirs, will practice both Monday and Tuesday next week starting at 7:00 p.m.

Dress rehearsal is tentatively set for Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:00 p.m.

“We have planned some flexibility into the rehearsal schedule so we can move dress rehearsal if there is a football playoff game next Friday,” Ayers said. “We will just move it back a day to Thursday, Dec. 8 if we need to.”

Scene rehearsals were held on Monday through Wednesday this week.

Don Taggart and a crew of volunteers installed the sets over the last week, according to Ayers.

The show is typically presented during even-numbered years, but was skipped in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.