Written By Tanya Terry, with photos by Tanya Terry
After a six-year hiatus of the production, the New McCree Theatre is again presenting “Christmas at a Crossroads” Dec. 14-16 and Dec. 21-23. The spectacular play was written by Charles H. Winfrey, production manager and executive at the theatre. It’s full of favorite holiday songs and features amazing local talent.
Dennis K. Sykes is directing the play and talked to the Courier about one important scene in the play.
“Just like there is a scene of eight actors singing medleys,” explained Sykes. “Throughout that, they are talking about what Christmas used to be and what it is now. They don’t like what it’s changed to at all. That’s why the pastor says we need to get Christmas off the crossroads and get it right on the right road.”
Another scene is about the birth of Christ. In it, Jesus’ father, Joseph, is visited by angels. The play ends with a soul-stirring church scene.
According to Sykes, he is nothing like the previous artistic director, Cathye Johnson. He added the cast is nothing like the casts he is used to working with.
“Things got a little touchy, but we learned to work with each other, and we learned to appreciate the talents that each of us has,” said Sykes.
Sykes has directed for Buckham Alley Theatre, Clio Cast and Crew and Flint Community Players, as well as at McCree Theatre. He has been directing for over 20 years.
Sykes said he has been on and off stage since the age of 10, and he wants Christ’s love to show up to the audience for “Christmas at a Crossroads.”
Many of the actors and singers were cast in multiple roles.
Clifford Sykes, sings the opening song “Oh Happy Day.” He also plays an innkeeper who Mary and Joseph of the Bible try to get a room from. As part of that role, he sings a solo: “No Room at The Inn.” Later in the production, he is with the group of eight partygoers who are speaking about what Christmas has come to.
“At the end, I play a drunk person getting saved in church,” said Clifford Sykes.
Sykes told the Courier he has fun on stage regardless of what role he is playing.
Sykes also said his goal is to get reactions and touch somebody by participating in “Christmas at a Crossroads.” He said that reactions could range from getting a person to go back to church to making them feel good.
“A song, a play, anything, should affect the people looking at it or seeing it,” added Sykes. “If the people can look at it and be bored, then we aren’t doing our job.”
Dachelle McDonald is a choir member in the first act. She is a camel in the nativity scene. In the second scene, she also sings “Who Took the Mary out of Christmas.” Additionally, in the third scene, she plays a member of the church who gives the church announcement who McDonald describes as a “nice, nasty lady, demonstrating the mask that people can wear sometimes.”
“That’s what God is there for – to help us take those masks off,” said McDonald.
She added: “One of the things that the Bible teaches us is how to be a good person. As the pastor read – he reads out of Proverbs. Proverbs is definitely one of the books that teaches you how to be that blessed person, even in a world of chaos.”
Kimberly Harris played a lamb in the stable where Christ Jesus was born in the first act. In the second act, she plays a performer at a house party who is in a toxic relationship. In the third act, she plays a backslider who comes back to Christ.
“I do enjoy the acting part of the second act when I am a singer and performer because that’s the gift that God has given me,” said Harris. “So, being able to show those gifts and use those gifts for His glory is just amazing. But I also really love playing the drunkard who comes to know the Lord because it just shows redemption. That’s the whole reason that God sent Christ to earth – so we could be saved, so we could live some free lives in real life.”
Harris said she hoped even though the cast is acting and pretending to do an altar call, that someone would really get saved because of the show.
There are 2 p.m. shows on Dec. 16 and Dec. 23, and 7 p.m. shows on each date “Christmas at a Crossroads” is shown. Tickets will be $10 at the door.
