Recent events draw large crowds

By: Bill Wilson | Morganton News Herald
Published: December 11, 2008

If ever it were made clear that "Christ" should remain in Christmas, it was done so this past weekend by dedicated and talented cast, crews and congregation of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in their first-time appearance at CoMMA presenting "A Smoky Mountain Christmas and The Singing Christmas Tree."
Three sold-out houses, totaling nearly 3,000 in the audience, exploded all records for any such performance, local or touring.
Just because it's homegrown doesn't necessarily mean there is any quality lost. Speak with those who attended and they will tell you that the staging, costuming, musical selections and overall performances presented by the Pleasant Ridge ensemble rivaled any production ever presented on the CoMMA stage.
From CoMMA's standpoint, we have to say this has been one of the most organized and competent local productions we have experienced. To put more than 300 performers on stage in under two hours … and have I mentioned the 24-foot Christmas tree adorned with lights galore along with 65 singers nestled in its branches?
Well, the list of kudos can go on and on. Suffice it to say, "A Smoky Mountain Christmas and The Singing Christmas Tree" will be an annual Christmas and holiday staple on the Morganton stage. Proceeds from the concert benefit Burke United Christian Ministries and that certainly has to make someone's Christmas a bit brighter and happier.
The recent MainStage Morganton of performance of "The Spirit of Christmas" boosted the season's tone with a Radio City Music Hall style production. The chorus line dancers were as close to the Rockettes as most of us will probably ever experience. Although the attendance did not quite come up to the levels of "Annie" or "Smoky Mountain …," the support and response made for a great evening of entertainment once again.
It just goes to point out once again how important the music and traditions of this time of year truly are. From the jingling of Santa Claus' reindeer bells to brightly decorated cedars and pines to shopping and presents and the wonderful and meaningful worship services offered by area churches, we know it takes every piece to make this puzzle perfect for children of all ages. CoMMA is pleased to help make the season come alive.
There are just a few more events at CoMMA in December. The Freedom and East Burke High School bands will perform at CoMMA on Tuesday and Dec. 18, respectively. Both curtains are at 7 p.m and tickets may be purchased at the door.
Miguel Pico's annual guitar class concert will be held at 7 p.m. on Dec. 19. There will be a small admission charge this year, and although this presentation is always well attended by families and friends of the student performers, it is also open to the public.
November and December have kept the CoMMA box office staff and backstage crews extremely busy selling tickets and prepping and restoring the stage for upcoming events one after the other.
A well deserved rest is in order for all their hard work in making the shows look great each and every time.
Although the theater will be open weekdays for viewing of the Ben Long fresco, "Sacred Dance & the Muses," the next major production, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," will not take place until Jan. 5.
We'll tell you more about it next time.