TRBC dazzles
Thousands enjoy holiday spectacle
Every year around Christmastime, Thomas Road Baptist Church (TRBC) hosts the Virginia Christmas Spectacular, a holiday event that brings a taste of Broadway to Lynchburg, Virginia.
“We begin auditions in August,” show director Lorie Marsh said. “Rehearsals begin in September, but we work on the show for about 10 months
all together.”
Marsh, who has been directing the show since 2008, said that each year, TRBC tries to do something a little different than years past.
“This year is a Radio City-themed variety show that tells the story of God’s redemption, starting with creation all the way up to Jesus’ death,” Marsh said.
Some of those variety numbers include a Motown theme, Victorian, classical and contemporary numbers.
“Since it is a Broadway-style show, we try to have as many variety of styles that we possibly can,” Marsh said.
Unlike years past, which only told the story of redemption through the manger, Marsh said the production will be using video footage of the “Bible” series to help give visuals of Jesus’ life and ministry.
However, the use of the TV series is not the only addition to this year’s version of the show.
“We have a Frozen number featuring Olaf,” Marsh said. “We try to incorporate original music, Christmas favorites and also Christian hits as well.”
With a cast of more than 300 people, which includes Liberty students and members of TRBC, Marsh said the Virginia Christmas Spectacular is more than a small church Christmas production.
“It is really great to have so many talented people working with us,” Marsh said. “It is a product of excellence that we have been told is as good as something that you would see on Broadway.”
Nearly 100 Liberty students make up the cast, choir, backstage crew and actors.
According to Marsh, attendance for the production has ranged from 25,000 to 45,000 over recent years.
“It’s a tradition,” Marsh said. “People come back year after year to see it.”
The show will run Dec. 4-7 to the public. Ticket prices range from $8 to $15 and can be purchased online at virginiachristmasspectacular.com.
Walsh is a feature reporter.