World Premiere Of ‘Dreaming Of… The Musical’ At Walnut Hill Community Church This Christmas Season

BETHEL — Hope. Peace. Restoration. These were the dreams of humanity more than 2000 years ago.

Do they sound familiar? Do the longings of the heart hold true over the centuries of time? Does God hear our cry?

Dreaming of… The Musical, Walnut Hill Community Church’s annual Christmas production, will grapple with those questions during five performances the weekend of December 7–9.

Performances are Friday, December 7, at 7 pm; and Saturday and Sunday, December 8 and 9, at 3 and 7 pm.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. They can be purchased at the church, 156 Walnut Hill Road, or online at WalnutHillCC.org.

The musical — which will debut at Walnut Hill before it goes on stage in London and other parts of the world — is an original collaborative effort between Graham Kendrick, a world-renowned worship leader and composer who lives in England, and Steve and Heather Sartin, who lead Walnut Hill’s music and dramatic ministries.

The original music is from Mr Kendrick’s latest Christmas CD, Dreaming of a Holy Night. The CD jacket describes the music within as “songs of wonderment at the nativity, and longing for the fulfillment of what began on that holy night.”

Dreaming of… The Musical uses those songs — based on the biblical characters of Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, and Zechariah — and weaves them into a dramatic story, written by the Sartins, that zips back and forth between biblical and contemporary times.

The Broadway-style production features a cast of more than 80 actors, singers, musicians, and technicians, all from Walnut Hill’s church family.

Graham Kendrick has been described as the “father of modern worship music,” has recorded more than 30 albums and written more than 400 songs, among them “Shine, Jesus, Shine,” “Knowing You,” and “Amazing Love.” His 2001 CD What Grace was the UK’s #1 best-selling praise and worship album of the year, while his 2006 release, Out of the Ordinary, featured collaborations with US worship leader Paul Baloche and Delirious? guitarist Stu Garrard.

Those who purchase ten tickets will get a free copy of Mr Kendrick’s Dreaming of a Holy Night CD, which was released last month.

Call the church office at 796-7373 with any questions.