By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
The greatest Christmas story ever told is being presented five times each week in Washington’s Rocky Hock Playhouse.
It’s a musical presentation you don’t want to miss.
“Born This Day (in the City of David)” is an original presentation of the much-loved story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The musical was written by Gloria Emmerich, who owns and operates the Playhouse with her husband, Jeff.
The show, which premiered Nov. 12 and runs through Dec. 19, opens in a modern-day setting with the cast, appearing as the Cromley family and friends, presenting favorite Christmas songs, both Christian and secular. The action shifts after the first act, and the audience is invited to step back in time 2,000 years to the months before Jesus’ birth.
The biblical setting features a scene between Mary and Joseph as they plan their future together. Later, the angel Gabriel appears before Mary to inform her she has been chosen to be the mother of God’s only son. This changes her life forever, and the musical follows the trials and tribulations — and ultimately, the joys — experienced by Mary and Joseph as they prepare for the baby’s birth.
The couple travels to Bethlehem where, on a night so long ago, Jesus was born in a humble shelter, a stable, offered by a kindly innkeeper and his wife.
The triumphant message of that first Christmas is a poignant reminder of what is truly important, especially in these days when the holiday has become commercialized and many have lost sight of the real meaning of this most special day.
The entertaining and uplifting show stars Erin Rotuno as Marie Cromley/Mary and Jeff Emmerich as Harold Cromley/Joseph. Also featured are Gloria Emmerich as Mrs. Angel Cromley/Elizabeth, Breanna Weitzel as Ella Vader/Chloe, Nathan P. Schierer as Dr. Oliver Payne/Gabriel/Joachim, Celeste M. Allen as Rhoda Lott/Anna, Dyanna Sorvillo as Patty Cake/Reumah and Darryl Stallings as Charlie Cromley/Homer/Zechariah.
Cast members hail from as far away as Colorado, Ohio and New York. Weitzel is appearing in her first Rocky Hock Playhouse production, but the rest are seasoned veterans at the local theater. Stallings, who joined the Playhouse seven years ago, is back on stage after injuring his back in a fall in August.
“Born This Day (in the City of David)” is performed each Tuesday and Thursday at 2 p.m.; Saturday shows are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Meals are available in the on-site restaurant, Mrs. Cromley’s Country Buffet.
For ticket information and other information about the playhouse, call 252-482-4621 or visit www.rockyhockplayhouse.com.
Rocky Hock Playhouse, a full-time professional theater, is located at 230 E. Eighth St., in the former Washington High School building.