Sometimes the best things start small and then keep growing because of popular demand. That's what's happened with the annual Christmas concert presented by the Escondido and Escondido South stakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.
"In our local LDS community, we have a lot of talent," explained Justin Gray, who is co-directing the concert with his wife, Cathy. Gray is best known as the longtime musical director at the Welk Resort Theatre. "So seven years ago, we decided to present our Christmas concert at the California Center for the Arts."
The first year, the event was free and every seat was filled. So the organizers decided to see if people would pay $3, and once again it sold out, as it did the next year and the one after that. Now with tickets still only $6, the organizers have added a second 90-minute performance on the same date.
"We're not doing this to make money," said Gray about the low ticket prices. "The church underwrites the event and all the talent donates their time."
Not only has the audience for this event grown, but the concert itself has become larger every time. This year, it features a 120-voice choir, a professional 12-piece orchestra and various performers.
"When you take into account the choir, the dancers, the orchestra and the crew, I'm feeding 165 people between performances," said Gray with a chuckle. "It's the biggest show I've ever produced."
Unlike other holiday offerings, this show takes the "Christ" in Christmas literally.
"We have an opening prayer, so it's very much as Christ-centered concert," he said. "But it's not steeped in Mormon theology. It's very ecumenical."
This year's production owes a lot to Cygnet Theatre's annual production of "It's a Wonderful Life," which is a re-enactment of the radio show version of the film. Actors will be performing a 30-minute version of "A Christmas Carol," adapted by Cathy Gray from the Dickens book, and a 15-minute version of the birth of Christ from the Bible (from the books of Luke and Matthew) while a foley artist creates sounds effects.
There will also be variety acts, choir anthems, solos, a chime choir and line dancing.
"There's a lot of variety for everyone," said Gray. "It's taking more time to put it together, but it's going to be worth it. Almost my whole family is in it (including son Jared, who is playing Tiny Tim in the Welk's "A Christmas Carol" and will repeat the role in this concert). It's made this a busy December, but we're loving it."
"A Christmas Radio Show"
When: 6 & 8:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where: California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido
Tickets: $6
Info: 760-839-4178, 800-988-4253
Web: www.artcenter.org
