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Old North Church hosts musical
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The lead characters, Hope and Max, in Old North Church’s musical production of “iHope Christmas” were played by Hannah Brandenstein (right) and Alyssa Householder.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Select members of the elementary choir comprised a group of narrators which ‘spoke’ to the audience in song during Old North Church’s musical production of “iHope Christmas” Dec. 18.
By ABBY SLANKER
The youth, and several adults, of Old North Church celebrated the holiday season with a musical production of “iHope Christmas” Dec. 18.
The musical was created and written by Ami Sandstrom Shroyer and Michael Shroyer.
Under the direction of Krista Hosler, the cast, narrators, elementary choir and teen choir delivered a high-energy performance of the play, which revolved around two young women who were searching for the true meaning of Christmas for their popular web show’s, iHope Live, Christmas Spectacular.
The lead characters in the production, Hope, Max and Liz, played by Hannah Brandenstein, Alyssa Householder and Brooke Hosler, respectively, feel like they need more inspiration and information for their Christmas Spectacular. So they embark on a journey gathering advice for their big show. They search for Hope’s Aunt Mo, played by Olivia Pacheco, who is a theater actress.
Aunt Mo and her theater friends help inspire Hope and Max. Hope and Max embrace the inspiration and it gives the girls visions of what they were searching for in order to put the ‘spectacular’ in ‘Christmas Spectacular.’ With the help of friends and strangers, the girls capture the true meaning of Christmas and bring their viewers closer to God.
Accompanying Hope, Max and Liz on their journey are Dallas and Darbus, played by Camden Thomas and Alexis Blessing. Along with Aunt Mo, they meet Darlene, played by Linda Brandenstein, Benny, played by Kraig Barth, and Charles, played by Rick Haldi.
Backing up the entire cast and contributing to all the songs was the elementary choir and the teen choir. Members of the elementary choir included Olesia Benedict, Aspen Blakeman, Cassidy Blessing, Kaelyn Cleevely, Madison Cleevely, Nathan Collier, Keegan Davies, Gabriella Elsas, Justin Frankford, Jonelle Granger, Alyson Gonda, Lexi Gonda, Ryan Hosler, Abbie Householder, Sammy McDonald, Amy McGuire, Bethany McGuire, Sarah McGuire, Hunter Redmond, Michael Redmond, Molly Slater, Hope Thomas, Jacob Thomas, Jessie Thomas, Olivia Thomas.
Members of the teen choir included Lillie Bovard-Jones, Alexa Clark, Bobby Hudock, Stephen Lee, Tiffany Lee, Alexa Lyons, Ashley Smith, Alexa Thompson and Noah Thompson.
Also helping with the production, and ‘speaking’ to the audience in song, were the narrators. The cast of narrators included Cassidy Blessing, Gabriella Elsas, Keegan Davies, Jonelle Granger, Ryan Hosler, Abbie Householder, Molly Slater, Hope Thomas and Jessie Thomas.
Soloists performed throughout the show and included, Aspen Blakeman, Olesia Benedict, Abbie Householder, Olivia Pacheco, Hope Thomas, Sammy McDonald and Jessie Thomas. Performing a dance to musical number “Holy, Holy” were Alexa Clark, Tiffany Lee, Alexa Lyon and Kiana Lyon.
The crew of the musical included, Rick Haldi, assistant director and set design, Bethany Fuestal, choir choreographer, Shari Thomas, secretary and slides, Rob Osborn, sound, Sarah Blakeman and Barb Gonda, lighting and Kimberly Walker, dance choreographer.