Anointed

In December Kingsway Levitical Worship Arts presented Anointed. A play co-written by Erica Smith and Genevieve Alao (producer and director) with music created by Karen Jewels.

I took the trip to Kingsway Community Life Centre in Toronto to watch this Christmas season play. It definitely was not the usual Christmas time play, which was great.

It was the story of a girl finding out her prince charming is not all he has professed to be. Her pursuit of an “anointed” man leaves her at rock bottom, a place she never imagined she would be. After all he was an anointed man of God...just what she prayed for.

I really enjoyed the production and had a great evening. Halfway through the show I had to remind myself I wasn't at home, and talking out loud was a bit inappropriate (haha I was not the only one). One of my favourites was a lady yelling “DON'T DO IT!!”. I couldn't help but wish I was on stage with such an invested and interactive crowd watching. 

If you were there you understand why it was IMPOSSIBLE to keep quiet. The twists and turns in this play had me laughing, throwing up my hands, shaking my head, cheering, dancing in my seat and wanting to get on stage and talk some sense into some characters.

Pastor Richard Brown told us that during the play he said to his wife he was glad it was just a play. I had to agree! The situations in this play were dramatic, enraging, shocking and sad. THANKFULLY I could rest assured because of course this was JUST a play, but just as I took my sigh of relief I realized that part of the reason I was so emotionally invested was that I knew some of these people. Maybe their situations were not as compounded, but I've heard and seen these stories before. Some of which by the grace, and healing of God have become testimonies. I'm sure there were people in the audience that felt the same way or maybe it was their story up on that stage. Hopefully they got to see that they are not alone in their struggle, no sin is unique/new and that forgiveness is very important.

Another strong message I got from the play was that not everyone has the same gifts and talents, and one is no better than the other. The gifts that God has blessed us with cannot be compared, they are ALL needed for the Kingdom of God to flourish.

These are only two of the many lessons that could have been taken from this well written, directed and performed play. The entire cast of this production were extremely talented in many art forms (dance, singing, mime...). 

If Anointed is put on again I will DEFINITELY go see it and I hope to see you there. You won't be disappointed.

RESET 2011: Mission Complete!

Reset Facebook Page

Over the past 4 months I've been a part of a comedy/improv group called Reset. We've had 4 to 6 members on a given night, and it's been amazing!!
I have to admit there were some struggles, getting 6 BUSY people together once a week for rehearsal was always difficult. Then there were the days that I just can't get my funny on or I was so distracted by what I had to do once I got off the stage, that I couldn't stay in the moment. Thankfully I knew I was surrounded by wonderful people who would always pick up my slack :).
We did four shows at The Gospel Cafe in Mississauga, made people laugh and, as Tristan Barrocks (the creator) wanted, we were living proof that Christians can be crazy, fun and laugh LOUD!! We hope to be back next year for some more improv shows.
I'm very thankful to have been asked to take part because EVERY night the Reset team had me rolling on the floor dead with laughter. I'm still remembering moments from months ago and laughing to myself (yeah a little crazy).
I'll be promoting our events for next year so stay tuned for Reset 2012.

Christmas at Queensway

A friend and I were blessed with tickets to see Church on the Queensway's Christmas production The Most Wonderful Christmas Advent Calendar Extravaganza Ever. 

the set

Quite the mouthful and quite the Broadway proportioned production. It was a little under two hours filled with 50+ cast members, a drum squad (see video below), dancers galore, opera singers, angels coming from on high (literally), dancing animals, pyrotechnics and of course the reason for the season three kings Mary, Joseph, and a sweet little baby Jesus. 
Pastor Billy Richards was our MC for the evening. He made us feel very welcomed, and told us about Samaritan's Purse a great initiative to brings gifts to the less fortunate around the world. Pastor Billy also took time to invite the audience to ask Jesus into their lives and cracked some pretty lame good jokes. The kids around us were having a great time (we were a bit louder than them, and they kept checking to make sure we were alright and clapping along). Church on the Queensway has some EXTREMELY talented members. 

the cast

It was my first time going there and I got a quick tour of the church including their full dance studio (my jaw hit the floor). I also found out a little about the arts program (more to come). They're know for The Toronto Passion Play which they have been doing for almost 20 years. If this show was any indiction of quality I'm sure the Passion play will be very powerful. They have a lot going on for 2012 check out their home and events page for more information.

This Christmas

So it's getting pretty close to Christmas and to start the season (for me) I have to get that ol' Christmas tree up and sparkling. I figured I'd find some Christmas music to get me in the spirit. This year I trimmed (it's plastic) decorated my tree to “This Christmas – A Holiday Mixtape”. 

All the songs were sung by four talented gentlemen (check the link to follow them on Twitter). There are the classics like This Christmas new twists on classics like their arrangement of Little Drummer Boy, and new to me songs like Love Christmas Yeah. 
If you're making a Christmas playlist this year these guys should DEFINITELY be on it. I love singing...don't get me wrong I like all genres of music but hearing some great vocals always captures me and these guys DEFINITELY have them. Download yours via Vibe Deck at http://vibedeck.com/thischristmas-aholidaymixtape
Hope you enjoy a new version of your favourite Christmas tune.

The Day Before Christmas @ HWC

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of helping out backstage with Harvest Worship Centre's Christmas Production The Day Before Christmas. 

It was a great story that touched on a lot of the worldly issues and hang-ups of Christmas time. It's meant to be a wonderful time of celebration and family but it often turns into a stressful, sad, and frustrating time of the year. It encouraged everyone to find their hope and their joy in the Lord and don't sweat the small stuff. He's got it all under control. 

A friend of mine joked “Wow! Allison you were backstage?? I find that hard to believe...so how was that? I bet you really just had to humble yourself and be behind the scenes...” With friends like that who needs enemies :P. He was joking, but I actually had a moment. Listen, once that finale music started bumping and the cast and audience were having a great time I was ITCHING to be on the stage. That's the performer in me, but the backstage crew had a little party at the back too. 

I've worked backstage at productions before but having one dress rehearsal...It was a whole other world back there. It was great! I love fast paced environments that keep you on your toes we had a couple issues but I had lots of help to keep everything running smooth during the quick scene changes.  

We were short a body so I ended up doing a little walk on and mashing up the set in the process BUT what is live theatre for? Right? RIGHT?!!?!?! Right.

The cast, crew, band, HWC family, and visitors were blessed by the production and I know without a doubt many hearts were opened to the love of Jesus. I'll leave you with Go Tell by Isreal Houghton, it was our finale song and it was REAL. HWC Praise Team no joke!!!! We were jammin' for real and it was stuck in my head while we tore-down and cleaned up at the end of the night. 

ENJOY!!!