RUMFORD — The Rumford Association for the Advancement of the Performing Arts is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a special presentation of their annual Musical Christmas Card at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at the Muskie Auditorium at Mountain Valley High School., 799 Hancock St.
Gail Dorr will once again take on the dual positions of musical director and accompanist.
The show will be presented in three acts, opening with a Toyland-style scene, sure to kindle the imagination of young and old. Elves and wooden soldiers will delight the audience as the chorus sings some children favorites such as “Toyland,” “The Chipmunk Song” and “Jose, The Temporary Donkey” while “Dancing with St. Nick” marks the arrival of Santa to the stage. Young dancers from Relatively Dance Studio will also be bopin’ and rockin’ to the song “Elves Workout.”
Act Two will feature a heavenly children’s nativity with a mixture of tradition and celestial charm. The story of the birth of Jesus will be told by six adorable angels and depicted in still scenes in storybook style. Young angelic voices will unite with the RAAPA chorus to celebrate the majesty of the season. Familiar nativity music, such as “Angelic Christmas Fanfare,” “Carol of the Bells” and “The First Noel” will be sung in concert with those scenes. A special arrangement of “There’s A New Kid in Town” will be performed in duet by chorus members Jeanine Murray and Lacey Todd. The nativity finale will feature Thea Dunn’s Prop Box Singers with their lively rendition of “Joyful Joyful.”
Act Three will feature a Christmas-party scene focused on celebrating RAAPA’s anniversary with a mix of favorite songs from past Christmas shows, including “Let it Snow,” “The Christmas Waltz” and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.”
Those who attend the 2 p.m. Sunday matinee will be treated to the return of Judy Kuhn, the groups longest term musical director, who will guest direct RAAPA’s signature song — “Christmas in a Small Town.” To add to this special moment, all past RAAPA members in the audience will be asked to come onstage to join Kuhn and the chorus in singing this most beloved song. The Prop Box Singers will return for the show’s finale to send the audience off with the spirit of the season in their hearts!
Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors citizens and $5 for children ages 12 and under. Tickets can be obtained from any RAAPA chorus member or by purchasing at the door (The box office will open one hour before each performance.
PHOTO: Six angels sitting in a cloud will tell the story of the nativity in RAAPA’s 50th anniversary Musical Christmas Card, from left, Isla Haynes, Kylee Coffin, Brynn Bartash, Nora Haynes, Cecilia Ross and Kylee Mills. (Submitted photo)
