"Extra! Extra!" So begins Jingle in the City, the 2009 production of the Virginia Christmas Spectacular presented by the worship ministry of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia under the leadership of Senior Pastor Jonathan Falwell and Executive Producer and church Worship Leader, Charles Billingsley.
Jingle in the City celebrates the exploits of a lovable and mischievous gang of pick-pocket street orphans as they elude the cops on a frenzied chase across the familiar landscape of New York City, circa 1945.
Incredible attention to detail in set design, period costume and snappy dialog - all set to a hepcat, big band beat - bring the period and the city alive. It's just days before Christmas and the Big Apple is hopping with shoppers scurring to get those last minute presents to stuff under the tree.
The amazing set features the streets and back alleys of New York City. You will thrill to the familiar sites and sounds of Central Park, Rockefeller Center and the big Christmas Parade as you tap your toe to the swinging beat while waving at Santa as he passes the steps of Macel's Department Store on his sleigh. The centerpiece is our 37-foot tall Living Christmas Tree covered by more than 120,000 lights and inhabited by 120 singing "ornaments".
But, there is another side to the city - one where equal parts hope and despair play out in a daily struggle for survival for our rag-tag gang. More than the treasures they steal to survive, the kids want what most of us take for granted - a place to call home and someone to belong to. This sets up a touching and heartwarming retelling of the Christmas Story and reveals that there is One who can provide us strength and comfort no matter our lot in life.
You don't want to miss the premiere performances of this live, Broadway-style musical with a cast and crew of over 350; featuring the Thomas Road Baptist Church big band orchestra directed by Linwood Campbell and the 240 voice choir with music director Scott Bullman. The original score includes all your familiar favorites such as White Christmas, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, and Let it Snow along with 9 brand-new songs written specifically for the production. (Preview the Music Here)
Billingsley says of Jingle in the City, "It's the can't miss holiday event of 2009 with something extra for the whole family and the perfect way to share the story of our Savior with your friends and acquaintences who may never come to church otherwise."
