AVON, Connecticut — Story by Ruby Worth, Avon High School.
This may look like any small town production but you'll soon see this isn't your ordinary musical.
After a five year hiatus there is much excitement and anticipation over the return of a long standing and much loved holiday musical production called The Gift.
Around two-hundred and thirty Valley Community Baptist Church members across all ages come together to reenact the story of Jesus from birth to resurrection.
Emily Sousa, who plays Mary said, “The people here are amazing and it's just an amazing way to worship God through acting and singing.” Husband and wife team Craig and Susan Hart are the driving force behind this massive production.
Craig Hart, who directs the show, said, “The things that I most enjoy about being involved with The Gift just as the director you know sometimes I do miss being a performer in the gift, but the most enjoyable thing is really that to see people and hear about the experience and changes that happen in people's lives.”
Susan Hart, the shows producer said, “I do The Gift because I want people to know Jesus and I think a lot of people know stories about him, but they don't know the whole story as one piece sometimes, and they don't know that they can have a relationship with him and I want them to know that.”
Craig said, “The One word I would use to describe The Gift is Transformative. The reason I say that is because being in The Gift and being a part of the cast takes you through a transformation. The members of the audience, a lot of people, a lot of times come and their lives and attitudes or their thoughts about God and Jesus are transformed.”
Susan said, “If I had to describe The Gift in one word it would be powerful, because Jesus' story is a powerful one.”
Even after you leave the show you'll most likely find yourself singing the tunes, but will you find yourself transformed?
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