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Xander Stewart and Autumn Manus, will be performing for your enjoyment. These two students were chosen to be in the Oklahoma High All State Choir. Quite an accomplishment.
It’s that time of year again, but, as we all know, it’s unlike any year in recent memory. With so much of our lives changing in lieu of the recent COVID crises across the world, the people who live in Bristow need something to bring the “Merry” back into our Christmas. That’s why local director Chapman Shields and the great minds at the Freeland Arts Council organized a program named “Christmas at the Freeland,” which offers an extensive lineup of some of the most accomplished Bristow artists! This production will be live-streamed via the Freeland Center’s Facebook page on December 19th, starting at 7:30 p.m. No in-person attendance will be offered in accordance with COVID-19 Guidelines established by the CDC and WHO.
“My job as director is to honor the wishes of the show: creating a great holiday offering featuring local talent, while maintaining the professionalism of a regular concert production,” Shields said. Moreover, anticipate one of the best performances the Freeland Center has had to offer, as the cast promises their commitment to be several cuts above “your average Christmas show.”
“This is going to be great,” local physician and cast member Dr. Chip Cooper added. “There are times in my life that a show like this could have brought up the spirits when they were low, and it’s really all because of the billing. From the onset, I could tell this show would be a special blend of the young and, well, not-soyoung members of the musical community here in town. Chapman is putting his heart and soul into this, and his dedication is spilling into the cast. I was more than happy to offer my services for this show.”
If their dedication to excellence and their wide range of talents wasn’t already enough to tune in, they will also have a link specifically for donations to Bristow Social Services during these already trying times.
“We’re delighted to not only perform, but also to offer up our platform to support a cause that goes right back into Bristow. In past concerts, we had encouraged similar donations in lieu of admission fees, so we were ecstatic to still have a similar means in which to make someone’s Christmas that much merrier,” Shields added.
The cast includes Zak and Melissa Hall, KC and Patrick Lupp, the Givings Family, Carmen Bruner, the Tidwell Family, and Scott Taylor, with Br. Eric Parker opening and closing the event in prayer. In the pit, Theron Perry will play the piano, Brice Calvin will play the electric guitar, Craig Skinner will be on the bass, Chip Cooper will be on the drums, and Dylan Smith will be playing a wide range of percussion instruments. Behind the scenes, Don Baker, Tim and Becky Busch, Hunter Remington, Autumn Manus, Cyler Shields, Jackson Lupp, Jaxie Sargent, Kimberlee Jones, and Norah Gilbert will be making sure the show runs smoothly.
With a year as tumultuous as 2020 has proven to be, this event will be not only one to remember, but where we can forget the bad parts of life right now. On Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m., tune in to the Freeland Center’s Facebook, and we can all share in the glory of the season.