The ARTx3 Campus will present “Miracle on Main,” a holiday variety show, from 7-8:30 p.m. Dec. 12-13 in the Catherine M. Bellamy Theater at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St.
“Steeped in the charm of classic holiday television specials, ‘Miracle on Main’ brings nostalgic seasonal magic back to the stage with joyful singing, high-energy dancing, family friendly comedy and standout performances by hometown talent from across Southeast Arkansas,” according to a news release. “Audiences can expect an evening filled with laughter, beloved holiday music and showstopping surprises in true small-town spectacular style.”
The production is directed by Kayla Earnest and Bethany Gere, along with student director Isaiah T. Austin.
“‘Miracle on Main’ is a holiday-themed community talent show that was created to give people throughout the area an opportunity to perform more out-of-the-box talents that you typically wouldn’t see onstage during one of our seasonal shows,” Earnest explained. “We also focus on raising funds and encouraging memberships.”
More than 60 performers of varying ages and backgrounds make up the cast. Performers include Addie Ashcraft, Isaiah T. Austin, Patchez Black, Brianna Blackledge, Ella Blevins, Ellie Breedlove, Emily Burris, Morgan Carrasquillo, Allison Carraway, Langston Cosner, Laura Cosner, Addison Dean, Katherine Dutton, Kayla Earnest, Rory Earnest-Lake, Hattie Fenters, Ollie Fenters, Bethany Gere, Melody Gere, Amanze Henderson, Chanel Hester, Ashley Hoover, Jonathan Hoover, Shelby Huber, Kaleb Hughes, Pam Holcomb, Olivia Jackson, Crystal Jennings, Lily Jennings, Violet Jennings, Portia Jones, Ivy Joyner, Rosalie Kline, Brandt Lunsford, Bree Lunsford, Brooks Lunsford, Heather Lunsford, Melanie Madkin, Avery M. Martin, Ally Moore, Will Parkman, Cali Reed, Rylie Rice, Bentley Richardson, Libby Rittenhouse, Susan Rittenhouse, Amber Robinson, Scott Robinson, KC Rowland, Ja’Lyon Shaw, Elena Smith, Clara Studdard, Sawyer Terry, Tyler J. Thomas, Hazel Thompson, Olivia Thompson, Raymond Wallace, Teanna Williams and Alexandria Woods.
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“There is something for everyone to enjoy,” Earnest said. “We have everything from singing and dancing to magic acts and ventriloquism. We also have a community choir performance, reader’s theater and instrumental performances.”
Featured moments include “The 12 Days of ASC Christmas,” written and directed by Austin, an 18-year-old senior at White Hall High School. Additional highlights include a reader’s theater presentation of “Reindeer Names” and a community choir performance of “Sisi Ni Moja.”
“You will hear many of your favorite holiday classics, such as ‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,’ ‘O Holy Night’ and ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,’ but you’ll also hear some newer songs like ‘Chillin’ Like a Snowman,’ ‘Sparklejollytwinklejingley,’ and even an original song created especially for ‘Miracle on Main,'” Earnest said. “There are also some familiar songs performed in unexpected ways, like ‘The Christmas Song’ with an Arkansas twist, ‘Deck the Halls’ with an unusual percussion instrument and a unique arrangement of ‘White Winter Hymnal.'”
Gere emphasized the impact of the event.
“The money raised during ‘Miracle on Main’ will go straight back into the organization, creating more opportunities for our community to engage, educate and entertain through the arts and sciences.”
Tickets are $20 and available at artx3.org/miracle-on-main, by phone at (870) 536-3375 or in person at the ARTx3 Campus. For more information, contact Gere at bgere@artx3.org or call the center. Details: artx3.org.