Missouri Valley College to Host Holiday Music Show
The Missouri Valley College Division of Fine Arts will present their annual holiday music show, “Joyful, Joyful” on November 14, 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. nightly in the Eckilson-Mabee Theatre.
The show is under the direction of Diana Malan and features the MVC Music Theatre Ensemble, formerly the Valley Connection Show Choir, and their guests: The Morton Sisters, Bathsheba Marie Love, voice students from Malan’s Voice Studio, MVC Repertory Dance Ensemble and tap dance students from Broadway Bound Dance Studio. Narrators for the show include MVC History Professor Tiffany Bergman and MVC freshman Daniel Ripley. Tonya and Bailey Varner of Marshall have provided the choreography for the Music Theatre Ensemble. Jay Rozema is the technical director while Dyann Rozema is the costumer.
“I wanted the show to focus on the things that make the holidays special; getting together with family and friends to share some of the holiday’s favorite music, enjoying favorite holiday style shows together and retelling and remembering what Christmas is really about,” said Diana Malan, adjunct instructor of music. “The show is family oriented and has something for all ages.”
Scene one features the Music Theatre Ensemble as they take the audience to the annual “ugly Christmas sweater party” for fun and holiday music. They open the show with “Winter Wonderland,” “White Christmas,” “Please Come Home For Christmas” and “Jingle Bell Fantasy.” MVC junior Jamie Weisbach as well as Faith Sappington and Bailey Riley, both from Marshall, will conclude the scene with “There is a Santa Claus” from “Elf, the Musical” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” sung by The Morton Sisters.
Scene two, “The Young at Heart” opens with a tap dance production number of “Hot Chocolate” from the movie “Polar Express.” The number features the MVC Repertory Dance Ensemble and tap students from Broadway Bound Dance Studio. Both groups are under the direction of Janie Morgan, MVC associate professor of dance. MVC freshman Kaylee Hering and MVC sophomore Taeyoon Lee will perform “Love Is An Open Door” from “Frozen.” The last two numbers from this scene are from “Anastasia, the Broadway Musical.” “Journey to the Past” will be performed by MVC freshman Holly Stock as Anya and the haunting “Once Upon a December” will feature MVC sophomore Miyu Shito as the music box ballerina.
In scene three, “One Holy Night,” the Music Theatre Ensemble recalls the Christmas story. Songs include “The Little Drummer Boy,” “Mary Did You Know” and “Breath of Heaven/What Can I Give” featuring MVC seniors Mackenzie Ketterman as Mary and Aaron Kerksiek as Joseph. “All Is Well” will feature Peyton Jones of Marshall and Bathsheba Marie Love will sing “O, Holy Night.” The show concludes with “Joyful, Joyful” featuring MVC sophomore Sydney Haynes.
A $2 admission for adults supports the activities of the Music Theatre Ensemble; children 18 and under are free. Tickets will be available at the door and the house will open at 7 p.m. for open seating.