This year’s musical by students of Holy Family School adds some light-hearted twists to the story of the birth of Jesus, but the true meaning of Christmas is at the heart of "The Mystery of Simon Shepherd."
The musical whodunit features all of the school’s fifth and sixth graders and will be presented Thursday, Dec. 8, during the all-school Christmas program. The program starts at 7 p.m. at the St. Patrick Parish Center, 4100 Broadway Ave. Grades K-4 will each sing three songs, followed by the musical and the finale song, "Silent, Holy Night."
Holy Family School Principal Karen Moeder said students have been working hard on this program, which is dedicated to music instructor Connie Schneweis. Karen Reddig directs the K-4 students, while Megan Murphy and Angie Fry direct the fifth and sixth graders. The musical accompanist is Shannon Sommers.
"The Mystery of Simon Shepherd" starts with one missing shepherd on Dec. 24 in Bethlehem. Mixing modern-day courtroom characters such as a judge (Kelsey Hofeling), bailiff (Krista Schneider) and attorneys (Baleigh Fry and Alyssia Strickland) with Nativity staples such as shepherds and angels, the play is infused with clever dialog and several styles of music. Some characters are a mash-up of past and present: Caesar Augustus (played by Isaac Prosser), is a jet-setting emperor who figures a census is a good way to make some money for "Caesar’s Palace."
Caesar is called to testify in court as Judge Trudy Justice (Hofeling) presides over the baffling case. The attorneys are Marge Hemlock (Strickland) and F. Lee Maybe (Fry).
Schneider’s court bailiff’s costume includes a realistic Barton County Sheriff’s Office uniform, thanks to the school’s DARE officer. On the other hand, Alaina Schneider is dressed in more biblical attire for her portrayal of Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist. There are parts for the entire fifth and sixth grade. Other characters include Simon’s mother, the innkeeper, a trio of astrologer/kings, some clever sheep, the shepherds and the angels.
