Riva Sharples | Editor
A Beresford family is involved in “Prince of Peace: The Christmas Story,” being performed for the next three weekends at the Orpheum Theater in Sioux Falls.
Beresford residents Jonathan and Brandy Snell, along with their children Jameson and Audrey, are among 80-some adults and children performing in the musical with another 15 working behind the scenes. The show is produced by Lights Up Productions, a Christian-based theatrical company that was founded on the East Coast 28 years ago and relocated to Sioux Falls in 2020.
Four others with local connections involved in the show are Wakonda residents Riva Sharples, Douglas and Duncan Sharples-Schmidt and Mario Dmitrovic, who attend Brooklyn Free Evangelical Free Church in Beresford. Riva Sharples is also a teacher at Alcester-Hudson High School.
The Sharples-Schmidt brothers, Riva Sharples, Mario Dmitrovic, and Audrey Snell are actors and members of the musical ensemble. They appear in numerous numbers as part of the crowd scenes. Douglas also plays a prophet and Roman guard. Mario is a king and Duncan a prophet.
Jonathan, Brandy, and Jameson Snell are part of the tech crew. Jonanthan is managing the bridge as a line batten operator for backdrops and scrims. Brandy is the lighting board operator. Jameson is backstage working with set changes and prop management.
“Prince of Peace: The Christmas Story” transports audiences back to the first century to the birth of Christ, giving viewers a glimpse into the world as it was then.
“This telling of the Christmas story is relevant and rich, giving us the backstory and context of the coming of the Messiah,” explains Brent Grosvenor, founder of Lights Up Productions and writer and director of the show. “Many of your favorite Christmas songs are crafted seamlessly into the fabric of the story alongside thought-provoking and soul-stirring originals. We believe coming to this production will become part of your annual Christmas tradition in the Midwest.”
“Prince of Peace,” as with all productions put on by Lights Up, has an all-volunteer cast and crew, except for one paid participant of the production: a professional dancer from Los Angeles who appears in numerous scenes. Participants in this year’s show are members of more than 30 churches in the Sioux Falls and surrounding area. Volunteers put in hours of rehearsal to be part of the production because they are passionate about the message being delivered, explains Grosvenor.
Area residents should come see “Prince of Peace: The Christmas Show” for that same reason, he says.
“The world today more than ever needs an encounter with the Christ of Christmas,” Grosvenor says. “John Chapter 1 says, ‘The Christ child grew in wisdom and stature and the grace and favor was upon Him.’ Jesus later said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.’ Christmas is about this ‘life’ and we want the world to experience the one who will and can bring peace to your life, the Prince of Peace.”
The production “Prince of Peace” gives viewers the full Christmas story. It is an entertaining and moving experience, and it’s a great show to invite a friend to attend.
Adds Grosvenor: “The show is full of the world’s most popular Christmas hymns, including ‘O Come Emmanuelle,’ ‘Silent Night, O Holy Night,’ and about ten others, while seamlessly telling the story of Jewish people and God’s plan of redemption through Emmanuelle, ‘God With Us.’ It is fun, soul stirring, and has fabulous singers and very cute and talented kids. The most Christmassy show around!”
Tickets are priced at $18 and $24. Visit www.princeofpeacechristmas.com for tickets or more information. Shows are this weekend at 7 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 29, and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30. Next weekend, catch a show at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, at 2 or 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, or at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7. The final weekend for “Prince of Peace: The Christmas Story” is Dec. 12 – 14 with shows at 7 p.m. on Dec. 12, 2 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 13, and 4 p.m. on Dec. 14.
But hurry! Tickets are selling fast!
“Make this part of your Christmas tradition this season, and bring a friend,” says Grosvenor. “You won’t regret it!”