The Palace of Praise church in Poplar Bluff will continue a Christmas tradition when it performs its annual “Sounds of Christmas” play for the 13th consecutive year.
Shows will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 12-15. The doors will open at 6 p.m. daily.
Approximately 50 to 60 church members will perform in the play, according to church representative Terrie Faughn.
“There’s a lot of music in it, and it’s a pretty big production,” Faughn said.
Cast members, she noted, began practicing in September.
The play was written and is produced and directed by associate pastor Randy West and is based in modern times.
“The story line is set in a school. It’s a Christmas showdown between two schools in a basketball game,” Faughn said. “There will be a lot of junior and senior high kids in it.”
The theme of the story, Faughn said, is “Don’t stop believing.”
“We will have a finale at the end of it with 20 dancers, snow, and Santa Claus is always here,” Faughn said.
There is no charge to see the play, Faughn noted, and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. However, the church also is offering another option.
“We also have a dinner on the 13th, 14th and 15th,” she said. “You can purchase dinner tickets and get reserved seating with that.”
Dinner time will be from 5-6:30 p.m. on those dates.
Visitors can purchase dinner tickets for $15 by either going on the church’s website at www.palaceofpraise.com or by calling or visiting the church office.
Dinner tickets, Faughn said, must be purchased in advance because of limited seating.
As in the past, the church also will hand out presents to children who are pre-registered to attend the Sunday show.
“They can call the church and sign up their children, and on that Sunday afternoon, the 12th, we have a matinee showing of the play and they can receive their gifts after the play,” Faughn said.
Sign-ups for the children’s gifts likely will end Dec. 8, so the time to get registered is limited.
To purchase dinner tickets or to register a child for a gift, the church office can be reached at 573-785-4232.