St. Michael's Christmas extravaganza a huge success

St. Michael's School elementary students performing at Christmas pageant
C. Davis photos/video

Chris Davis

St. Michael's School celebrated the true meaning of Christmas with their annual pageant, this year a musical called "The First Leon" that starred elementary students, some middle school students, and Cory Dyck in the titular role.  Two performances were given, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, to packed houses of appreciative family and community members.  Approximately 210 students participated.

Spoilers ahead.

A slideshow ran as people found their seats, then the lights dimmed and it was showtime. The play within a play followed the story of Leon, a young man who really wanted to be in the annual Christmas pageant, but only became an understudy to the one-line character of the inn keeper after much pleading with the Director, played by Cole Gerber.  It was a bit of a stretch to believe that Cory Dyck would be a second-stringer after he demonstrated his considerable vocal talents, but that's theatre for you. As the huge cast of students worked through the musical interludes the story unfolded.

Cory Dyck as Leon

On opening night, Leon found himself in the spotlight after the regular actor for his role was too ill to perform. At the urging of his fellow actors, who had been disparaging his interest in acting in the play throughout, he "improvised" his line by adding to it, and instead of sending Joseph and Mary away from the Inn he offered them his own room for the night.  It all worked out for the best, and the play concluded with a huge all-cast rendition of the song "Light of the World".  Along the way we were treated to many sweet moments, and some great renditions of Christmas classics revitalized with modern arrangements.

Grade 1E - "You can have my room"

St. Michael's musical director Shelly Alexander had a lot of help from staff, middle and senior high school students, parents, and helpful citizens.  "Every teacher had a job that they would look after," she said after it was all over.

Mrs. Alexander estimated the students spent about 20 minutes of each music class practicing the songs.  "They started practicing the third week of October," she said,  "Then we put actions with it."

"The kids are fantastic.  They buy into it from day one.  They were onboard and really keen.  The older kids, when they move on into middle school, lots of them really miss it.  It was a huge community event.  It was middle school, high school, all the teachers were involved, and the parents."

Now that the event has concluded "We are going to get back to regular classes," said Mrs. Alexander.  "It will be a little simpler, a little less busy.  Which will be nice.  I really like that we can present the real meaning of Christmas, that we are able to do angels, and Joseph, and Mary.  Very traditional."

"I think that our society has forgotten the real meaning behind it, and it is a real honour to be able to encourage those things here, in my job."

St. Michael's Choir

The 60-member St. Michael's School Choir will be performing at the upcoming Community Carol Festival, to be held at Pincher Creek Community Hall on Sunday, December 14 at 7:00 pm.