Forrest General Hospital will partner with Christian Services to once again bring The Forgotten Carols, written by Michael McLean, to the Pine Belt. The show will be performed at the Saenger Theatre on Saturday, December 12 at 7 p.m., and all of the funds raised from ticket sales will benefit Christian Services, Inc.
Although the lead characters are played by professional actors, the production is always backed by a local choir. Michael Marks, a well-known Pine Belt entertainer, will coordinate The Forgotten Carols choir as in years past, and he is looking for participants of all ages. “We are asking every church in the Pine Belt to send at least two representatives to participate in the onstage community chorus for this show. Of course, we’d love to have more than two!”
The Forgotten Carols is best described as a contemporary story of God’s love for a broken people. In the production, a jaded young nurse, who sees the holidays as a meaningless distraction, is assigned to care for an aged gentleman who believes that he has been alive for 2,000 years and has met people from the Christmas story.
Emmy award-winning producer and actor Michael Young, who will perform in The Forgotten Carols, said, “This family musical is fun and entertaining, but it really reminds us of the true meaning of hope and redemption at Christmas. Going shopping and to parties is a great thing at Christmas, but this show reminds us of the greatest gift of the season – the Christ Child.”
The rehearsal dates for The Forgotten Carols choir will be Monday, November 23 and Monday, November 30 from 7:15 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Parkway Heights United Methodist Church; Monday, December 7 from 7:15 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Parkway Heights United Methodist Church; and Saturday, December 12 from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Saenger Theater. The performance is Saturday, December 12 at Saenger Theater.
To volunteer as a member of the choir, contact Vanessa Henson with Christian Services at 601-582-5683 or email Vanessa.christianservices@gmail.com. Volunteers can wait to sign up at the first rehearsal.