“It’s a Texas Kind of Christmas” is an Instant Classic

January 3, 2020
News, On-Campus

The 2019 Marbridge Christmas program was a rootin’ tootin’ good time with performances seeing huge turnouts. “It’s a Texas Kind of Christmas” showcased the fantastic singing, dancing, and comedic timing of the residents. It told a story of overcoming prejudice, accepting help, and giving back to others – all in the spirit of Christmas.

This year’s program, written and directed by Paige Brown, Marbridge’s Music and Spiritual Instructor, focused on a southern family farm and town in dire need of help during the holidays. They found that help by learning to accept help from their neighbors up north.

“Our residents have ideas of things they would like to do for a Christmas program,” said Paige. “Katie, a resident in the equestrian program, repeatedly asked me about doing a rodeo Christmas and I thought, why not?”

Marbridge residents from drama, band, choir, and dance classes started work in May and continued at least once a week over the past six months to prepare for this year’s program.

“It was fun and I played one of the town people,” said Matt, a Ranch resident who performed in this year’s program. “Paige did a great job and I’m looking forward to next year’s program.”

“Also different this year was the fact our set was larger,” Paige continued. “Hughie Shaw, in his design concept, wanted to make the back drop fill the stage. As always, it was a gorgeous, highly detailed set.”

Hughie is Marbridge’s Leisure & Recreation Coach. he goes above and beyond each year building the set for the Christmas performance. This year’s backdrop increased in size from last year’s by 8′ in width thanks to two additional panels being added.

“It’s a Texas Kind of Christmas” provided more than fantastic scenery, storytelling, and great performances this holiday. Residents in the Community Care class collected canned food donations for the Central Texas Food Bank. Their hard work and your generosity allowed the class to collect and donate 297 pounds of food.

If you missed this year’s performance or would like to re-watch it, online and DVD copies of will be available in mid-January.