CRESTVIEW — Every other year the community gets a double dose of pleasurable holiday spirits from the Crestview High School chorus, and 2013 was the year for us to be treated.

As if the previous weekend's Madrigal Dinner wasn't enough, the 120-voice chorus's always enjoyable Christmas concert was just icing on the gingerbread.

Click here to see a photo gallery from the concert>>

Click here to see video from the chorus Madrigal Dinner and Christmas concert>>

Under the able hand of choral music director Kevin Lusk, the kids took Thursday night's audience through a winter wonderland of song, including old favorites, new music, and favorites given a new twist.

As they've done in the recent past, the Destiny and Chanticleer show choirs alternated during the first set. A standout number for the former was "Mr. Santa," sung to the tune of the 1954 pop song "Mr. Sandman."

Chanticleer's doo-wop version of "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" rounded out the set as a toe-tapping follow-up to the ensemble's equally fun version of "Jingle Bells" that opened with a smooth solo by Paolo Hora.

The Men's Choir's version of "Winter Wonderland" was a pretty piece, though couldn't quite top the Women's Choir's stunning "Little Drummer Boy," which like Ravel's "Bolero," built and built to a joyous crescendo.

The women's rousing, perky sleigh ride song, "Jing-a-Ling, Jing-a-Ling," was likewise a delightful wintery romp that segued into Chorale's set of more stately music.

The elite choir's rendition of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" ratcheted my Christmas spirits into high gear, especially as it wasn't the version we normally hear.

Chorale's performance of the Caribbean carol, "The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy," featured a piano duet between accompanist Leon Curenton and special guest Pam Myers that beautifully enhanced the spiritual.

Rounding out the evening, the entire chorus was augmented by more than 25 chorus alumni in the traditional performance of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" from "The Messiah."

The rousing piece always draws the audience to its feet, not just out of respectful tradition but in enthusiastic appreciation for another enjoyable concert that never fails to be a precious Christmas gift.

If I may offer one criticism, it would be that we had trouble hearing the soft but lovely voices of the Destiny girls, especially when they'd be executing choreography that resounded on the wooden stage and platforms, nearly drowning out the singers.

My only other lament is that 8-year-old Waylon Hopwood, a Bob Sikes Elementary School student, won the Oreo cheesecake door prize and I didn't. But 'tis the season to be generous, so I won't begrudge my loss. Merry Christmas, Waylon.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview High chorus Christmas concert a gift for the ear (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — Mama's in bloom just in time for Christmas, and that warms Betty Woodward's heart.

The pink Christmas cactus was her late mother's only potted plant and, when it blooms, Woodward thinks fond thoughts of her mom, Verna Louise Gillis Williams.

"It always sat on her side porch," Woodward said. "She'd always be waiting by the porch when we'd come visit, leaning against a pillar."

Woodward said other family members took cuttings from the cactus before she brought it home to Crestview from her mother's house near Red Level, Ala.

She named the plant "Mama" in memory of her mother.

When a cutting is inadvertently knocked off the plant, Woodward promptly puts it in water to root, and gives away the new plant. Mama's offspring are scattered far and wide, she said.

"I've taken care of Mama for 32 years," Woodward said. "She's a centerpiece when you walk in my door. She welcomes everyone when they visit."

Mama's buds began to open earlier this week.

"It bloomed its heart out," Woodward said. "I know it has 200-plus blooms on it. She's just laden with them."

Woodward carefully covers Mama during cold nights to prevent damage. The plant is too heavy to be moved inside.

"Everybody says, 'Look after Mama.' There's a lot of sentimental value," Woodward said.

She calls her Lakeside East home "a memory house of Christmas." Each piece in the home, which is aglow with Christmas décor, holds a dear memory.

That's the way it should be, Woodward said.

"I think people have a tendency to lose the closeness of family," she said. "I have stories about everything in this house."

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes or follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview woman's Christmas cactus covered in 200-plus blooms

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CRESTVIEW — We all know the story: grumpy, miserly, miserable, wretched Ebenezer Scrooge shuns the business of caring for mankind to focus on the business of business. Four ghosts later and he’s a transformed man, Tiny Tim lives, the Cratchits have turkey and we wipe away a tear and feel Christmassy.

I’m not spoiling anything by summarizing Charles Dickens’ beloved Christmas parable because every time we read it — and everybody should read it — or see a movie, TV or stage version, the story’s as fresh, touching and relevant as ever.

View From the Stage, Crestview’s community theatre troupe, brings the story to Warriors Hall’s equivalent of Cinemascope, taking full advantage of that wide, wide stage to pack an eye-pleasing cast of 48 thespians into the Michael Demaio musical based on Dickens’ timeless story.

Director Sandra Peters wrung an enjoyable opening night performance Friday from her four dozen actors, who ranged in age from elementary school kids to retirees.

A few ear-shattering audio glitches marred Act I, suggesting the show might have benefited from an extra tech rehearsal or two, but knowing the financial challenges of having to rent that hall, I sympathized more than cringed.

Standout cast

Several standouts carried along a cheerful, enthusiastic cast, headed by Nick Trolian, who had the unenviable task of transforming his Scrooge from a surly old poop into crippled Tiny Tim’s avuncular benefactor after his night of ghostly revelation.

I have a strict criterion for judging tellings of “A Christmas Carol.” If I don’t get moist-eyed when Scrooge declares his conversion and starts dispensing goodwill, I consider the production a flop.

View From a Stage had me sniffing and surreptitiously wiping my cheeks to such a degree my spectacles fogged up.

Other highlights included Cassandra Schneider and Corey Black as Mrs. Dilber and Old Joe, respectively Scrooge’s maid who sells his belongings to a pawn dealer. Their musical number was a delightful bit of silliness reminiscent of “You Got to Pick a Pocket Or Two” in “Oliver!”

Likewise enjoyable were Jeremy Edwards as Marley’s ghost, a particularly well-acted apparition made all the more eerie by effective lighting. His fellow ghosts, Ashley Stewart, Sean Peters and Dave Daigle, playing the spirits of Christmases past, present and future, were likewise excellently cast.

Talk about an entrance

The audience was particularly enthralled with Christmas Present’s jovial entrance upon a glowing Mardi Gras parade float of a giant cornucopia.

Lincoln Sayger’s Bob Cratchit, and Douglas Black’s cheerful Fred Scrooge, Ebenezer’s Christmas-loving nephew, were the personification of gentle benevolence and merry celebration respectively.

Special note should also be made of Allie Howard’s Tiny Tim. Allie turned 8 years old the week of the production, but instead of receiving gifts, gave the audience the present of her winning combination of adorable personality and capable singing.

Some people will say the story is about Scrooge, which it is, to an extent. But I like to think it’s more about Tiny Tim and his optimism and conviction that deep inside even the most despicable among us, there is a dormant spark of good.

Like Tiny Tim fanning that spark, View From the Stage’s delightful production of “A Christmas Carol,” running this afternoon and tomorrow at 2:30 and 6:30, can’t help but make the spirit of Christmas lurking within us — but shrouded by gift wrapping, card writing and tree trimming — burst into flame. TIckets are available at the door.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: REVIEW: Local stage production is a 'Carol' worth hearing

CRESTVIEW — Two of the season's joys are the Okaloosa Chamber Singers' and Schola Cantorum's Christmas concerts.

The latter will be sung locally Dec. 16.

The 11-voice community choral group, which is based at Northwest Florida State College, regularly delights audiences with its professionalism and a repertoire of classic and popular songs.

"A Babe is Born," a 14-number program under Dr. John Leatherwood's direction, will include selections ranging from classical pieces by composers including Gustav Holst and Felix Mendelssohn and Andy Beck's "(A Christmas Sha-na-na)."

Taking a breather from shopping, decorating, baking and wrapping to pause and reflect on Christmas' true meaning can be reinvigorating.

It helps put into perspective the busy bother we think is important, but which usually overshadows the part of the Advent season that actually is important.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: "A Babe is Born," a Schola Cantorum Christmas concert

WHEN: 7 p.m. Dec. 16

WHERE: First Presbyterian Church of Crestview, 492 N. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview

ADMISSION: Free; donations accepted

Contact News Bulletin Arts & Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Schola Cantorum Christmas concert provides seasonal reflections

CRESTVIEW — View From the Stage, the community's theatre troupe, presents Michael DiMaio's musical version of "A Christmas Carol" this weekend.

Charles Dickens' classic Christmas tale features a cast of 26 adults and 22 children, and costumes and sets evoking Dickens-era London.

Cast members include Nick Trolian as Ebenezer Scrooge, Lincoln Sayger as Bob Cratchit, Allie Howard as Tiny Tim, Samuel Wirt as Young Scrooge, Braya Faust as Scrooge's sister, Fan, and Douglas Black as Fred Scrooge.

The cast has rehearsed for more than two months, Berit Faust, of View From the Stage, said. Challenges included working around other events scheduled for the hall and having limited stage rehearsal time due to the expense of renting the hall.

The set, which was constructed off-site, is rising on the Warriors Hall stage this week.

Curtain will rise at 7 p.m. Friday.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: View From the Stage presents "A Christmas Carol"

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday; 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

WHERE: Warriors Hall in the Whitehurst Municipal Building on Industrial Drive, Crestview

TICKETS: $15 adult, $8 children under 12; available at the door or at Journey Java Connection, 269 N. Main St., Crestview

Contact News Bulletin Arts & Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Community theatre troupe brings 'A Christmas Carol' to Crestview