The Contemporary Youth Arts Company will present the 28th annual production of the Mark Scarpelli-Dan Kehde rock opera “Mary,†at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29 and 30, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1. Additional performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 5, Dec. 6 and Dec. 7, and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Dec. 8.
All performances will take place at the Elk City Playhouse, 218 Washington St., W., on ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s West Side.
The story of the nine months prior to the birth of Jesus Christ, seen through the eyes of a young girl destined to be the most important woman in the Christian tradition, “Mary†has become a family-friendly holiday tradition throughout the greater ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä area for nearly three decades. Drawing talent from throughout the Kanawha Valley, this year’s “Mary†cast includes Maddie Wright in the title role, with Nik Tidquist as Joseph, Julia Carriger as the Archangel Gabriel, Erin Martin as Elizabeth, Rob Cleland as Zechariah, and Matty Connelly as Herod, along with a chorus of angels and live accompaniment led by Lisa Peery.
The annual production of the rock opera begins rehearsals in early October for the traditional opening night the day after Thanksgiving.
“A driving score and an ageless story continue to give audiences new insight to the days and months leading up to the first Christmas,†CYAC playwright, director and founder Dan Kehde said in a release.
Tickets for “Mary” are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors; they are available online at cyaccharleston.ticketleap.com. Early online ticket purchases are highly recommended to ensure seats for the rock opera.
